Key Takeaways
- The evolution of AI video technology is rapidly expanding, offering creatives a wide range of tools to experiment with.
- Artists like Daryl Anselmo and Lim are pushing the boundaries of AI-generated content, creating unique and thought-provoking art projects.
- AI systems enable creators to build recurring spaces and casts of characters, functioning like informal franchises.
- Popular AI video accounts, such as Niceaunties and Granny Spills, have gained massive followings and are expanding into merch, miniseries, and branded universes.
Introduction to AI-Generated Video Technology
The field of AI video technology is evolving at an incredible pace, offering creative professionals a vast array of tools to experiment with. Daryl Anselmo, a creative director turned digital artist, has been at the forefront of this technology since its early days. He has been posting an AI-generated video every day since 2021, using a wide range of tools such as Kling, Luma, and Midjourney. Anselmo’s passion for testing the boundaries of these AI tools is evident in his work, and he believes that there are still many undiscovered possibilities waiting to be explored. As he puts it, "I would like to think there are impossible things that you could not do before that are still yet to be discovered. That is exciting to me."
The Art of AI-Generated Video
Anselmo’s daily creations have been collected into an art project titled AI Slop, which has been exhibited in multiple galleries, including the Grand Palais Immersif in Paris. The project showcases Anselmo’s attention to mood and composition, with some clips feeling like art-house vignettes rather than throwaway memes. Over time, the project has taken a darker turn, with Anselmo’s subjects shifting from landscapes and interior design to more body horror-themed content. One of his breakout pieces, "feel the agi," features a hyperrealistic bot peeling open its own skull, while another recent video, "Tot and Bothered," showcases a midnight diner populated by anthropomorphized Tater Tots. The piece has a vintage palette and a slow, mystical soundtrack, making it feel like a late-night fever dream.
Building Recurring Spaces and Characters
One of the significant benefits of AI systems is that they enable creators to build recurring spaces and casts of characters that function like informal franchises. Lim, the creator of the popular AI video account Niceaunties, is a prime example of this. Inspired by the "auntie culture" in Singapore, Lim’s videos feature elderly Asian women merging with fruits, objects, and architecture, or living their best lives in a fantasy world. Her viral video, "Auntlantis," which has racked up 13.5 million views on Instagram, imagines silver-haired aunties as industrial mermaids working in an underwater trash-processing plant. The consistency of the characters and the world they inhabit has helped to build a loyal following, with fans eagerly anticipating new videos and content.
The Power of AI in Content Creation
The creators of Granny Spills, another popular AI video account, have also leveraged the power of AI to build a vast and engaged audience. Their workflow is entirely powered by AI, from writing the script to constructing the scenes. As a result, their role becomes more akin to creative directing, allowing them to focus on the overall vision and tone of the project. The account features a glamorous, sassy old lady spitting hot takes and life advice to a street interviewer, and has gained 1.8 million Instagram followers within three months of launch. The consistency of the granny’s character, including her pink color scheme and outfit, has helped to build a recognizable brand that fans can engage with.
Expansion and Merchandising
These AI-generated content projects often spin off into merch, miniseries, and branded universes, allowing creators to expand their reach and build a more extensive fan base. The creators of Granny Spills, for example, have expanded their network, creating a Black granny as well as an Asian granny to cater to different audiences. The grannies now appear in crossover videos, as if they share the same fictional universe, pushing traffic between channels. This approach has helped to build a vast and engaged audience, with fans eager to consume more content and engage with the characters and worlds created by these AI-powered projects. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how creators like Anselmo, Lim, and the team behind Granny Spills push the boundaries of what is possible with AI-generated video content.