Table of Contents
- Why Are Visual Effects Artists Worried About Netflix’s Latest Cost-Cutting Innovation?
- The Numbers That Tell the Real Story
- Why Traditional Visual Effects Teams Should Pay Attention
- What This Means for Small Budget Productions
- The Bigger Picture for Streaming Services
- What Comes Next for the Entertainment Industry
- The Warning Signs Everyone Should Notice
Why Are Visual Effects Artists Worried About Netflix’s Latest Cost-Cutting Innovation?
Netflix just made history. They used artificial intelligence to create scenes in a TV show. Not just any show – “The Eternaut,” an Argentine science fiction series that premiered in April 2024.
This matters more than you might think. It’s the first time Netflix put AI-made footage into one of their original shows. The scene? A building crashing down in Buenos Aires. Simple to describe, but complex to make.
The Numbers That Tell the Real Story
Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO, shared some eye-opening facts:
- Speed boost: The AI created this scene 10 times faster than old methods
- Cost savings: Traditional effects would have been too expensive for this show’s budget
- Quality results: Everyone involved was thrilled with how it looked
The financial impact is clear. Netflix reported $11.08 billion in revenue for their second quarter, up 16% from last year. Smart cost-cutting like this AI use helps those numbers grow.
Why Traditional Visual Effects Teams Should Pay Attention
Here’s what’s concerning for many people in the industry. The 2023 Hollywood strikes happened partly because of AI fears. Artists and writers worried about losing jobs to machines.
Sarandos tries to calm these worries. He says AI is “an incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper”. But actions speak louder than words.
The building collapse scene in “The Eternaut” proves something important. AI can now do work that human visual effects artists used to do. And it does it faster and cheaper.
What This Means for Small Budget Productions
Netflix’s approach creates new possibilities for smaller shows. Before, only big-budget movies could afford spectacular visual effects. Now, AI levels the playing field.
Consider these advantages:
- Lower costs – Shows with tight budgets can now include impressive scenes
- Faster production – Less time waiting for effects means quicker releases
- More creativity – Directors can try ideas they couldn’t afford before
“The Eternaut” proves this works. Without AI, that building collapse scene wouldn’t have existed in the show at all.
The Bigger Picture for Streaming Services
Netflix isn’t stopping with visual effects. They’re planning to use AI for:
- Better search features – Voice commands like “show me dark 80s thrillers”
- Smarter recommendations – Understanding what you want to watch next
- Ad creation – Making commercials that fit perfectly with shows
Co-CEO Greg Peters mentioned these plans during their earnings call. This suggests AI will touch every part of how Netflix operates.
What Comes Next for the Entertainment Industry
Other streaming services are watching Netflix closely. If AI-generated content saves money and looks good, everyone will want to use it.
The British Film Institute already warns about risks to the UK’s £21 billion screen sector. Copyright issues remain unsolved. Many AI systems train on copyrighted material without permission.
Artists like Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney have spoken out against unregulated AI use. They worry about losing control over their creative work.
The Warning Signs Everyone Should Notice
Netflix’s success with AI in “The Eternaut” sends a clear message. This technology works well enough for prime-time television. The quality looks professional. The cost savings are substantial.
For visual effects artists, this represents a challenging shift. Some jobs may disappear. Others may change completely. The industry is transforming whether people like it or not.
The question isn’t whether AI will be used more in entertainment. It’s how fast this change will happen.
Netflix’s use of AI in “The Eternaut” marks a turning point for television production. The technology delivers professional results at a fraction of traditional costs. Whether this innovation helps or hurts the entertainment industry depends on how companies choose to implement it.
The early results look impressive. But the long-term consequences for creative professionals remain uncertain. What’s certain is that AI is no longer just an experiment – it’s becoming a standard tool in modern television production.