I remember the first time I stumbled upon Lil Miquela, a well-known virtual influencer with about 3 million followers on Instagram. I was mind-blown. Here was this digital creation, living a life more glamorous than most real people I know in LA, producing her own music and collaborating with well-known companies. It was fascinating, but also a little unsettling.
From Virtual Influencers to CGI Actors?
And then there are CGI actors. Remember when a posthumous version of Peter Cushing reprised his role as Grand Moff Tarkin in “Star Wars: Rogue One”? Or when a young Robert De Niro appeared in “The Irishman”? That’s all thanks to the magic of CGI. But it’s not just about de-aging actors or bringing them back from the dead. We’re also seeing entirely CGI characters, like Alita in “Alita: Battle Angel”, who interact seamlessly with their human counterparts.
So, what will entertainment look like in this brave new world of virtual influencers and CGI actors?
Firstly, I envision a future where the line between virtual and real-life influencers becomes increasingly blurred. Picture this: your favorite fashion influencer teams up with a virtual counterpart for a groundbreaking collaboration. They could launch a clothing line together, host joint Instagram Lives, or even star in a reality TV show. The possibilities are endless. Similarly, we could see virtual influencers stepping off our Instagram feeds and onto our TV screens or movie theaters. The next big sitcom or drama series could come from the collaboration of both human and virtual influencers/actors.
Secondly, I anticipate a surge in the use of CGI actors, particularly in roles that pose significant risks or are simply unfeasible for humans. Imagine action-packed blockbusters or sci-fi epics where the daring stunts and otherworldly feats are performed not by stunt doubles, but by CGI counterparts. This could open up a whole new realm of storytelling possibilities, pushing the boundaries of what’s achievable on screen.
Human actors will always have an important role to play in the world of entertainment. There’s an undeniable magic in a human performance, an emotional depth and nuance that springs from our shared experiences and complexities. The subtle flicker of emotion in an actor’s eyes, the slight tremor in their voice during an intense scene, the authentic chemistry between characters – these are the things that make us connect with a story on a deeply personal level. And these are the things that, at least for now, technology can’t quite replicate. So, while CGI actors might take over certain aspects of the industry, the human touch in storytelling is irreplaceable.