Summary of Key Points
AI technology is rapidly permeating the short-form drama industry, significantly reducing production costs through methods such as creating virtual actors and automating filming and production processes. This has had a profound impact on the employment of traditional short-form drama actors, with newcomers, supporting roles, and those with stereotyped character types being the most affected. However, AI does not completely eliminate the need for actors; instead, it may reshape the industry. Some actors could transition into roles as digital human prototypes, operators, or creative professionals, leading to a future where AI and human actors coexist in a complementary manner.
Detailed Analysis
1. How does AI produce short-form dramas? Everything from the face to the voice is “fake” but looks realistic
AI creates short-form dramas using “digital human technology.” This involves generating a virtual character's face using algorithms (which can mimic real people or be completely fictional), assigning an AI-generated voice (that can adjust tone, emotion, and even imitate celebrity accents), and making the character move according to the script (e.g., making expressions, walking, and speaking). For example, in the AI short-form drama “AI Girlfriend” on a certain platform, the female protagonist’s face is generated by AI, with a voice synthesized by AI, and even the details of her blinking and smiling are calculated by algorithms. No real actors were involved in the filming, yet the audience would hardly notice the difference from a real actor.
2. By how much have costs been reduced? With AI, the same budget can produce ten times more dramas
The costs of traditional short-form dramas mainly include actors (newcomers earn a few thousand per day, while more famous ones earn tens of thousands), venues (renting an office or apartment for several hundred to thousands per day), and makeup and costumes (each set costing several hundred dollars). Producing a 10-episode drama might cost around 100,000 dollars. With AI, you only need to pay a monthly fee for an AI digital human tool (a few hundred dollars) and use AI to write the script (for free or a few dozen dollars). The virtual actors can be reused indefinitely, eliminating the need for paying actors, managing schedules, or using makeup. You can also use AI-generated virtual backgrounds (such as bedrooms or offices). As a result, the cost of producing the same drama could be reduced by 90%. For small teams, this means achieving the same results with a fraction of the budget.
3. Which actors are most at risk of losing their jobs? Newcomers, supporting roles, and those with stereotyped characters
AI primarily replaces two types of actors:
- Newcomers/supporting roles: Their roles often have limited lines and simple scripts, which AI can handle perfectly without any mistakes or training required.
- Stereotyped characters: Characters with fixed expressions and actions, such as cold, domineering bosses, naive and sweet heroines, or villainous sidekicks, can be quickly generated by AI, sometimes even more “standardly” than real actors.
However, experienced actors (e.g., those who can portray complex emotions) or those with unique personalities (e.g., internet celebrities with fans) do not need to worry, as AI cannot yet replicate their unique qualities, and audiences prefer the genuine emotional expressions of real actors.
4. AI is not a disaster; it’s an opportunity for transformation
Although AI takes over some jobs, it also opens new possibilities for actors:
- Become digital human prototypes: License your face and voice to AI companies, and you can earn royalties for each drama that uses your image.
- Work as digital human operators: Help AI companies adjust the expressions and actions of virtual actors to make them more realistic.
- Transition to creative roles: Write scripts for AI dramas or direct them, understanding what AI can and cannot do.
For example, an actor who licenses his image to an AI company can earn several thousand dollars in royalties per month without appearing in any physical dramas, while still having opportunities in real-life acting.
5. The future: AI and human actors will work together
AI will not completely replace human actors; instead, they will collaborate:
- Simple, repetitive roles (e.g., background characters) will be handled by AI.
- Lead roles and those requiring deep emotional expression will be played by real actors.
- A combination of both can also be used: real actors for main roles and AI-generated virtual characters for supporting roles, ensuring quality while reducing costs. For instance, in a drama, a real protagonist could interact with an AI-generated virtual best friend, and the audience would not notice the difference, saving on casting costs and enriching the storyline.
In summary, AI makes the short-form drama industry more efficient and cost-effective. As long as actors are willing to adapt, they can find new roles that suit them better within the new industry ecosystem.