Art Directors Guild Criticizes Martin Scorsese’s AI Endorsement
The Art Directors Guild issued a strong statement on Tuesday via X, criticizing director Martin Scorsese for, as they see it, compromising the essence of cinema by advocating for the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking.
According to Black Forest Labs, Scorsese has taken on the role of advisor and openly supports AI in the creative process, which has drawn sharp disapproval from the entertainment union.
“Mr. Scorsese, The Business is not in flux,” the Guild stated, emphasizing their discontent.
They went on to assert, “Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese is turning his back on the human artists who have been pivotal in crafting his most memorable films throughout his career.”
Scorsese, known for iconic films like “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Goodfellas,” has publicly championed AI’s potential to enhance his projects. He explained, “I’m fascinated by how technology intersects with storytelling, pushing creative boundaries and enriching viewer experiences,” in a statement featured on the Black Forest Labs website.
“Remember, cinema is still relatively young, only about 125 years in the making, so we should remain open to its evolution,” he remarked. The New York Times noted that Scorsese touted the use of AI for tasks like storyboarding and preproduction, but the Art Directors Guild strongly disagreed.
In a recent video from Black Forest Labs promoting their generative AI product, Scorsese posed a question: “How do you convey what’s in your mind to your cast and crew?” He suggested that this AI tool could fulfill roles traditionally held by human artists and designers from the Guild, who have effectively collaborated with directors for decades.
The Guild’s statement continued, “Scorsese’s endorsement of a generative AI product bypasses the contributions of Local 800 art directors, graphic artists, illustrators, and other skilled professionals within the Union.”
Scorsese appeared to view AI as a means to improve collaboration, rather than replace human artists. He stated, “There’s always been a challenge in conveying your vision to your team,” indicating his intention to leverage the technology to clarify and expedite communication with his creative collaborators, including production and art designers.
He elaborated, “I recently tested this out during a scene, and the freedom to visualize and immediately share a storyboard was creatively liberating. Time is money in preproduction, and this tool helped us speed things up without losing quality.”
The Guild reaffirmed their stance, insisting, “The expertise of Local 800 artists and designers provides tremendous value to any production. To suggest that their contributions can be replicated or surpassed by generative AI—built on work possibly appropriated from them and other creators—is a betrayal of cinema’s collaborative spirit.”
As of now, Scorsese has not openly responded to the Guild’s criticism.
