Talent agents are courting “actress” Tilly Norwood, even though she can’t summon tears by thinking of her ex in auditions, because she’s not a real person. Particle6, the UK-based AI production company behind the uncannily human-looking AI performer, announced this week that it is in talks with talent agencies that want to represent Norwood.
Over the weekend at the Zurich Film Festival, Particle6 CEO Eline Van Der Velden revealed that despite initial skepticism, studios are quietly embracing AI talent. She has previously said that she envisions Norwood as “the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman.”
Norwood’s human colleagues aren’t thrilled
While digital actors who are not prone to dressing room tantrums could theoretically save studios money, many folks who’ve sat in LA traffic en route to rehearsals aren’t giving Norwood a 20-minute standing ovation:
- In the Heights star Melissa Barrera called on actors to ditch agents who also work with AI talent.
- Actress Mara Wilson of Matilda fame said that Norwood is a composite of the faces of “hundreds of living young women.”
- Meanwhile, Whoopi Goldberg opined that AI actors currently can’t replicate human performance.
Van Der Velden pushed back…saying that “AI isn’t a replacement for people,” but rather a new tool, like “animation, puppetry, or CGI” that expands human creativity.—SK