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AI Vader & The Return of IMAX

AI Vader & The Return of IMAX

New SAG AI Rules, Mavic 4

May 27, 2025

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AI on the Lot kicks off tomorrow. We’ll be there, interviewing leading creatives and executives behind the AI tools shaping modern media. These conversations will be published on our channel as part of a special series called Inside the AI Movie Studio.

Reminder: Use code VPLAND for $100 off - you can purchase tickets here.

In today’s newsletter:

AI is bringing back late actors’ voices
New SAG rules for using AI in commercials
IMAX is having a comeback moment
Viggle launches real-time character replacement
Mavic 4’s portable drone powerhouse

And a bunch more - let's get into it!

Joey

Late Stars Return Through AI Technology, SAG Ups AI Protections

Epic Games introduced an AI-powered Darth Vader to Fortnite using James Earl Jones' voice, with full permission from the late actor's family. Jones' estate stated he "always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience" the character.

However, SAG-AFTRA filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Epic's Llama Productions, arguing the company failed to negotiate terms with the union before implementing the AI voice.

The union's concern isn't permission but process - SAG-AFTRA claims Epic violated their right to bargain over AI use that could replace human performers, even though Jones' family approved the technology
AI safety issues emerged quickly - Within days, players manipulated Fortnite's Darth Vader to curse and make inappropriate comments, forcing Epic to deploy fixes within 30 minutes
Other late stars join the trend - Orson Welles' AI voice now narrates location-based stories in the StoryRabbit app, created from hundreds of hours of archival audio with his estate's approval

SAG-AFTRA Strengthens AI Protections for Commercials

The union secured its most comprehensive AI safeguards yet through the 2025 Commercials Contract, which members approved by an overwhelming 96.90% to 3.10% margin in May 2025.

Training data restrictions implemented - For the first time, SAG-AFTRA contractually prohibits producers from using member performances to train generative AI systems without explicit union consent
Premium pricing for synthetic performers - When producers use AI-generated performers alongside human actors, they must pay 1.5 times the session fees plus full holding and use fees that would apply to human performers
Digital replica compensation secured - Any use of a member's digital replica triggers mandatory 1.5x session fees plus applicable holding and use fees, ensuring AI versions get paid like their human counterparts
Consent requirements strengthened - Producers must obtain informed consent before creating digital replicas and provide reasonably specific descriptions of how the technology will be used
Economic disincentives for AI replacement - The contract includes provisions preventing employers from using synthetic performers primarily as cost-cutting measures to replace human actors
Benefit plan protections - When commercials feature only synthetic performers, producers must negotiate with the union regarding contributions to member benefit plans

SPONSOR MESSAGE

PYXIS 12K: Cinema Power Under $5500

The Blackmagic PYXIS 12K delivers flagship cinema quality at an unprecedented $5,495 price point, featuring the same revolutionary 12K RGBW sensor found in high-end URSA Cine cameras.

This compact powerhouse shoots full-frame 12K footage with 16 stops of dynamic range—matching ARRI and RED performance levels while maintaining the modular design that made the PYXIS 6K so popular with professionals.

Key advantages that set PYXIS 12K apart:

No-crop flexibility: Shoot 4K, 8K, or 12K using the full sensor area without changing field of view—eliminating the typical resolution compromises
High-speed performance: Record up to 112fps in 8K and 60fps in 12K, with improved sensor response times reducing global shutter needs
Professional connectivity: Dual CFExpress slots, 10Gb Ethernet, and USB-C recording enable modern cloud workflows and high-speed transfers
Anamorphic ready: True 6:5 anamorphic shooting without cropping, plus multiple aspect ratio options for maximum creative control
Post-production friendly: Blackmagic RAW codec makes massive 12K files manageable while preserving full color and exposure control

The PYXIS 12K represents a fundamental shift in what's possible under $5,500, giving you the resolution flexibility and image quality previously reserved for cameras costing five times more.

Pre-Order Today

DJI Mavic 4 Pro: Triple-Camera Powerhouse

DJI has released the Mavic 4 Pro, featuring a triple-camera system with 100MP main sensor, 51-minute flight time, and 360-degree gimbal rotation. The drone incorporates dual telephoto cameras, omnidirectional obstacle sensing with LiDAR, and 6K/60fps HDR video recording across its camera array.

Camera Configuration: Main 100MP Hasselblad 4/3-inch CMOS sensor shoots 6K/60fps HDR and 4K/120fps, medium telephoto features 48MP 1/1.3-inch sensor, and standard telephoto uses 50MP 1/1.5-inch sensor, both capable of 4K/60fps HDR recording
Flight Performance: 95.3Wh battery provides 51-minute maximum flight time, 25 m/s maximum speed in Sport mode, and weighs 1,063 grams with 6,000-meter maximum takeoff altitude
Technical Features: Infinity Gimbal design enables 360-degree horizontal rotation with 70-degree upward tilt capability, replacing traditional hanging gimbal systems for expanded shooting angles
Sensing and Transmission: Six fisheye sensors with 0.1-lux sensitivity provide omnidirectional obstacle detection, forward-facing LiDAR for low-light navigation, and OcuSync 4+ technology delivers 30km transmission range in FCC regions
Recording Capabilities: 10-bit D-Log recording across all cameras, bitrates up to 400Mbps with H.264 All-I codec, and onboard storage options from 512GB to 2TB depending on variant

The New Wave of IMAX and VistaVision

The big-screen experience is getting a major upgrade, with IMAX and VistaVision film formats making a high-profile return. IMAX is rolling out new 70mm and laser auditoriums—including an 80-foot screen at Regal LA Live in Los Angeles for 2026—while filmmakers are lining up to shoot their next projects on both IMAX and VistaVision, signaling a renewed appetite for premium theatrical experiences.

Regal Cinemas and IMAX are expanding their partnership by building 4 new state-of-the-art IMAX theaters—including a major new 80-foot IMAX with Laser screen at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles—signaling a renewed focus on delivering high-end movie experiences in major U.S. cities
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey will be the first commercial feature shot entirely on IMAX film cameras, thanks to newly developed, quieter, and lighter camera tech.
VistaVision, a classic widescreen film format, is seeing a resurgence. Upcoming titles shot in VistaVision include Bugonia (2025), Wuthering Heights (2026), Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new film, Remain (2026), and Greta Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation.
70mm IMAX film projectors are back in action. IMAX CCO Giovanni Dolci said, "Until this year (success of Sinners/Interstellar) NO Exhibitior has ringed IMAX to install Film Projector, now they are."
Following the news at The Odyssey will be shot entirely on IMAX 70mm, the upcoming F1 film exhibited entirely in 1.90:1 full-frame IMAX (though it was shot digitally for IMAX, not on IMAX 70mm)

Viggle AI Enables Live, AI Powered Motion Capture

Replicate character motion from any video directly onto an image, opening new possibilities for animation and VFX work.
Integrated greenscreen support streamlines compositing and post-production for both pros and hobbyists.
The platform offers a quick “AI booth” experience: upload a photo and get a personalized video of yourself singing, dancing, or playing sports in about a minute.
Over 1,000 meme templates available, plus the option to create custom memes with any character—ideal for social media engagement.
Designed to lower the barrier for creative content, Viggle AI is positioned as a fast, affordable alternative to traditional motion capture and animation tools.

Dimension Studio just launched ViV, the world’s first robotics-powered virtual production system that makes dynamic, “impossible” shots more accessible and affordable

Stories, projects, and links that caught our attention from around the web:

🎥 A24 is shutting down its documentary division.

🤖 Questioning reality: There's a growing trend of X users who think the recent Jony Ive and Sam Altman partnership video was AI-generated.

▶️ Google’s NotebookLM is rolling out Video Overviews, letting you quickly turn PDFs, images, and documents into short videos.

👩🏼 Mandy Walker has become the first female president in the 105-year history of the American Society of Cinematographers, marking a significant step toward greater inclusivity in cinematography.

🔘 Breakdown of the new Voigtländer PORTRAIT HELIAR 75mm f/1.8 lens with spherical aberration control.