Is it true, Marty? Just when we thought too many veteran movie stars had embraced artificial intelligence, another true icon has joined the AI party, much to the dismay of many creators who loathe anything AI-related.
In a video and statement provided to the New York Times, Martin Scorsese revealed that he has been using generative AI tools through the startup Black Forest Labs and is also an investor and advisor to the new venture.
The Times reported that Scorsese used the tools in pre-production on a new film, though it did not specify which one, and that he joined Black Forest Labs as a consultant a year ago.
«"I'm interested in the intersection of technology and storytelling and how it can expand the boundaries of creativity, creating deeper and richer experiences for audiences," Scorsese said in an interview with the NYT. "Remember, cinema is a young art form, only about 125 years old, so we have to be open to its continued evolution.".
Before you panic, thinking that the director of Taxi Driver and Raging Bull is experimenting with AI to the same extent as his friend Paul Schrader, it's worth noting that Scorsese's statement to the Times emphasizes that he used these tools almost exclusively to create storyboards that he could better visualize for his film crew. In fact, in the video published by Black Forest Labs, we never see Scorsese himself prompting the tool; rather, he dictates his idea, and someone else writes down a few cues.
«"I've been creating my own storyboards for 70 years. The challenge has always been how to convey what I see in my head to the actors and crew. Some things need to be seen and felt... Now, thanks to this tool, I can more clearly and effectively share my visualizations with my creative team—the production designer, art director, and cinematographer.".
He added, "I recently tested this on a scene, and the ability to visualize and share storyboards immediately was incredibly liberating. Time is precious in pre-production, and this allowed us to move faster without sacrificing quality or craftsmanship.".
While it's unclear exactly which film Scorsese might have used these tools in, the timeline suggests it could have been his upcoming film What Happens at Night, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, which recently wrapped filming. The first snow shot, released by Apple in March, does, frankly, bear some superficial resemblance to a snowy Eastern European landscape of the era, generated using AI—and again, it's just a storyboard! (Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment for clarification.)
Black Forest Labs was founded in 2024 by Robin Rombach, formerly of Stability AI, which in turn enjoys the support of James Cameron as a board member. According to The Times, the connection with Black Forest Labs was established by Scorsese's talent manager, Rick Yorn, who is also an investor through his company, BroadLight Capital.
«"I'm thrilled that someone like Martin Scorsese—one of the greatest and most impressive filmmakers of all time—is using our technology and showing interest in exploring it," Rombach, CEO of Black Forest Labs, told the Times. "It's great proof that it works.".
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