The AI magic behind Sphere's upcoming 'The Wizard of Oz...
Google DeepMind and Google Cloud are collaborating to bring a timeless cinema classic to life in a larger-than-life format in Las Vegas. "The Wizard of Oz," known for its creative use of black-and-white film for scenes set in Kansas, is now being reimagined with AI technology.
Thousands of experts from Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Sphere Studios, Magnopus, Warner Bros. Discovery, and other industry leaders have been dedicating their efforts to transform the 1939 classic into an immersive experience at Sphere, a cutting-edge Las Vegas venue.
The Evolution of 'The Wizard of Oz'
On August 28, the AI-enhanced version of "The Wizard of Oz" will debut at Sphere, offering a new perspective on the beloved story. This ambitious project combines creativity and technology to envelop the venue's 17,600-seat spherical space, providing audiences with a truly immersive sensory experience.
The advancements in generative AI, including technologies like Imagen, Veo, and Gemini, have made it possible to enhance the original material without altering the dialogues or music. The use of AI models has allowed the team to expand the film in ways that were previously unattainable with conventional CGI methods.
The Role of AI in the Project
According to Jane Rosenthal, a producer on the project, AI was deemed essential to bring "The Wizard of Oz" to Sphere. The team faced challenges in scaling the original images to fit the massive 16K LED screen at Sphere while maintaining the authenticity of the characters and environments.
Through the use of AI-based super resolution tools, outpainting techniques, and performance generation, the team was able to preserve the integrity of the original film while adapting it to the new format. These innovative AI methods helped recreate natural gestures, staging, and intricate details that conventional CGI would struggle to achieve.
The Impact of Additional Source Material
One of the key breakthroughs in the project was the abundance of supplementary material available, such as the shooting script, production illustrations, and set plans. By fine-tuning these materials using Veo and Gemini, the AI models could train on specific details of the original characters and environments, resulting in significant improvements in the final output.
Collaboration with Warner Bros. ensured that every change made to the film respected the essence of the original production, maintaining continuity throughout the enhanced version of "The Wizard of Oz."
Looking Towards the Future
As the project progresses, the team remains awe-inspired by their achievements and looks forward to the possibilities that lie ahead. Executives like Jim Dolan acknowledge the innovative leap of faith taken in bringing "The Wizard of Oz" to Sphere and anticipate the impact of this groundbreaking project.
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