Jorge Gutierrez says he will no longer produce AI-generated animated series for Amazon Prime Video under the company’s new commitment to funding AI entertainment projects, and apologized to “those who were offended” following backlash over news of his involvement released this week.
“I have decided to withdraw from Amazon’s AI program,” Gutierrez wrote on social media on Friday. “I’m not trying to create a ‘Punky Duck’ series. Actions speak louder than words.”
Gutierrez continued, “My intention was to introduce new and veteran artists who are driving this new technology forward in and out of the studio. I sincerely apologize to those who were offended. I promise to do better in the future. Thank you for your patience. We will work harder.”
Amazon MGM described Gutierrez’s planned AI-generated series, Punky Duck, as featuring “an adorable punk duck and his best friend, Smiley Cat,” set in a chaotic Los Angeles landscape plagued by alien invasions, monsters and other “supernatural mayhem.”
Representatives for Amazon MGM did not respond to requests for comment.
Gutierrez was originally announced to lead one of three projects cleared by Amazon MGM Studios under the new GenAI Creators Fund. The fund will provide filmmakers, digital creators and technology startups with capital and access to AI production tools to develop premium TV shows and movies. Amazon MGM is partnering with sister organization AWS to launch what it claims will be the industry’s first purpose-built AI production platform.
Gutierrez is the writer and director of 20th Century Studios’ animated feature film “The Book of Life,” and the creator of Nickelodeon’s “El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera” and Netflix’s “Maya and the Three.”
Earlier on Friday, Gutierrez posted, “I’m learning so much from so many of you. Thank you. So much information that I’m digesting with all my heart. I completely understand the concerns about using AI to aid the animation pipeline. I’m truly grateful to everyone who has shown me grace. I have a lot to think about.”
This is the original logline provided by Amazon MGM regarding Gutierrez’s project.
Punky Duck: Loveable punk Duck and his best friend Smiley Cat race through a wildly exaggerated Los Angeles, hilariously encountering alien invasions, giant monsters, robot crime conspiracies, telenovela-esque family drama and paranormal mayhem while trying to do the right thing (and usually failing).
