Here are a couple videos that should make everyone really excited about the future.
First up, we have a video courtesy Disney Research, in which they show off their impressive new technique called FaceDirector. It’s a process that combines multiple performances by a single actor, creating one seamless and (ideally) perfect take.
It’s neat, and practical – future directors can save time and money by filming only a handful of takes and mixing together the best parts. Similar things have been done before, with varying degrees of success. But this, I think, is on another level.
Then, we have something a little more concerning: Face2Face, which allows for “real-time facial reenactment” of RGB video. It’s worth seeing in action, so just take a look:
Now that, if you ask me, is pretty incredible.
Some commenters, however, have raised concerns over the method’s potential for abuse, likely because the video contains examples involving world leaders and news clips. The video’s description even addresses these concerns, pointing out that CGI is already everywhere, in movies and on television. While this method may be novel, we’ve been able to alter video for quite some time, now.
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be comforted or terrified by that thought.
Well, as we all know, broadcast media is a bastion of truth and integrity, so I doubt they’d ever use this sort of technology for evil, anyway.
