Pickford’s AI series “Whispers” bowed in Busan Asian content and film markets, offering viewers an interactive teaser introducing the possibilities of AI-driven storytelling.
Emmy Award-winning producer Bernie S (“Lizzie Bennett Diaries”) spoke about his motivation for creating an AI series that stems from his desire to explore new narrative forms. “For me, the storyteller is what you’re trying to see, that this experience is a story experience that you can’t do without AI,” Su explained. “It’s a new art form that can’t be done without that fast, faithful, first-time, experience AI and technology.”
This showcase allowed viewers to join through QR code-enabled chat rooms and provide feedback immediately. Stephen Piron, co-founder of Pickford AI, described the audience’s mobile phone as “the conductor’s baton, the painter’s brush, and the voice of the storyteller.”
Although simple, this clip showed how the interactive format works, especially through the catchphrases generated in Marcus Kent’s dialogue. The post-screening panel featured voice actor Brandon Soohu (“Tropic Thunder”) and Heavenly Reina (“Bold and Beautiful”) and discussed her experiences with the project.
“I honestly didn’t recognize myself. It was really interesting. I recognized the various things I said, but there was nothing at all,” Reina said.
Soohoo reflected similar sentiments about the results of AI speech synthesis. “We recognize certain things we’re recording. “But while some of the inflections are certainly familiar, most of them weren’t necessarily.”
Addressing the use of actors’ voices, Su worked within the SAG framework of the AI project, emphasizing the importance of consent and transparency. “We use voices with approval. We use voices with approval,” Su said. “Some people pass. They were a bit like AI, so there must be a stigma for the audience to oppose them. Again, they already seem to be afraid of that.”
Reina acknowledged the broader industry concerns while expressing her trust in the project. “Personally, I have a lot of reservations in AI in the creative industry alone, but I trust Bernie and I trust his vision and innovation,” she said. “And I thought it was cool.”
