Text Akademie Podcast #38 – Visual Effects Expert Frank Petzold: «Efficiency Booster or Creativity Killer?”
The film industry is undergoing a transformation driven by artificial intelligence that is reminiscent of the euphoria of the Atomic Age of the 1950s. In the latest podcast from the Text Akademie Foundation, multi-award-winning VFX expert Frank Petzold discusses the ambivalence surrounding new tools, the protection of artists’ rights, and why analog craftsmanship is becoming more important than ever in a digital world.
Frank Petzold belongs to Hollywood's premier league when it comes to special effects. With contributions to blockbusters such as Starship Troopers, The Ring or The Legend of Tarzan and as Visual Effects Director for Nothing new in the West (for which he received an Oscar nomination and the German and European Film Awards, among others), he has helped shape the visual language of modern cinema. In conversation with Christoph Soltmannowski, he now sheds light on a topic that is dividing the industry: Artificial intelligence (AI).
AI - a double-edged sword of innovation?
Frank Petzold sees the current development of AI as a "double-edged sword": He warns against overheating as in the "Atomic Age", as too fast a pace could cloud the view of sensible use. In post-production, however, the technology is already proving to be a benefit by automating tedious routine tasks such as rotoscoping or camera tracking. It also serves as an efficient tool for layouts and inspiration, for example to create different background variations in a matter of seconds.
The "black box" and the loss of control
Despite the speed advantages, the expert sees risks in the lack of controllability. Many AI platforms act as a "black box" - you don't know exactly what is happening under the "hood". This is problematic for a visual effects director, as they have to guarantee consistent results across hundreds of camera angles.
The development is particularly critical when it comes to deepfakes and the protection of actors. There is resistance in Hollywood, as stars such as Robert Downey Jr. have already been completely digitally scanned. "You have to put the lid on it and install filters to prevent the misuse of voice and appearance," demands Petzold.
Why the "soul" is not calculable
A central point of the conversation is the irreplaceability of human creativity. Petzold emphasizes that real art thrives on spontaneity and mistakes. Visual effects are at their best when they have a "soul" and details take on a deeper meaning in the storytelling - like the subtle airplane fights in the background of Nothing new in the Westwhich made the constant presence of war palpable.
Frank Petzold's advice to the next generation: learn the craft from the ground up. Despite all the AI plug-ins, an understanding of optics, light and analog photography remains the basis for quality.
Frank Petzold's showreel:
The video podcast "AI and Society - Paths into the New World" is produced by the Text Academy Foundation. Two episodes are published monthly, on Spotify, YouTube and other podcast platforms.
