BEIJING - On Oct 23, the day Venom: The Last Dance opened in Chinese cinemas, the official Sony Pictures WeChat account released a 30-second promotional video in the style of an animated Chinese ink painting.
It shows the fictional superhero from the Marvel comic books shapeshifting into various forms, such as a crane and a Chinese lantern, and perching on a pagoda.
What was unusual for a major Hollywood production was that the clip was generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
The technology used is a self-developed software released in April 2024 called Vidu by Beijing-based company, Shengshu Technology. The start-up was set up in March 2023 and is run by former researchers from Tsinghua University, a breeding ground for China's top AI talent.
In an interview with The Straits Times, Shengshu founder Tang Jiayu - whose firm in June reportedly received hundreds of millions of yuan in pre-Series A funding - said the goal was to showcase efficient video production without sacrificing creative freedom.
Sony bought the copyrights to more than 200 Chinese ink paintings, which were used by Vidu to generate the video.
Mr Tang said: "The resulting video was one that not only demonstrated Vidu's powerful generation capabilities, but also the myriad new possibilities available to today's storytellers."
A Guangdong-based user, commenting on the video, said: "Lively, agile, like a dance - such an ink painting style really suits Venom."
In recent months, China has experienced a boom in AI video-generation technology. Not only are start-ups like Shengshu attracting investor attention, but tech giants such as ByteDance and Kuaishou are also getting in on the act with their own video generators.
This story is from the December 02, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 02, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NO SNOW, BUT SANTA'S STILL AT WORK
With a month to go until Christmas, Santa Claus is busy preparing, but he is worried about the warming climate and lack of snow in his Arctic home town.
My Chemical Romance ex-drummer Bob Bryar was active in dog rescue
Bob Bryar, the former drummer of pop-punk band My Chemical Romance, who was with the group from 2004 to 2010, has died at the age of 44.
Lady Gaga to hold free gig at Rio's Copacabana Beach: Sources
Pop star Lady Gaga is set to hold a free concert at Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach in May 2025, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, a show expected to draw hundreds of thousands of fans.
Taylor Swift fans turn out on Black Friday for vinyl album, new Eras Tour book
Young Taylor Swift fans and their parents lined up outside some of Target's nearly 2,000 stores in America early on Nov 29 - Black Friday - to buy copies of her new Eras Tour book and vinyl album.
K-drama actor Jung Woo-sung apologises after scandal on love child
One of South Korea's top actors apologized after it was revealed he fathered a child with a woman he is not married to, sparking nationwide scrutiny in a country where births outside marriage are still seen as taboo.
Festive vibes with Vivaldi at SSO's choral concert
CONCERT GLORIA!
An exploration of personal identities through dance
As one stepped into the theatre, a dancer was already on stage, performing a short series of movements.
BoA's first solo show harks back to K-pop's roots
The South Korean singer-songwriter's Singapore show was the last stop of her first Asia tour
The myth of an equal marriage
Research has shown that married women continue to do more at home compared with their husbands, so it is time for men to step up
What to do if your child is targeted by a bully
Following recent incidents of school bullying, several parents wrote in to ST to ask for advice on how they can help their children if they are targeted by a bully or bullying someone.
