AI, Shortcuts, and Trends: How the Film Industry Is Losing Its Authenticity
Courtesy of Jakub Żerdzicki
The Shortcut Trap
Sometimes people forget that being in this industry is well … an industry. It’s a business — a monstrous machine that constantly needs to be fed. This pressure forces the hands of artists. To make a living, you must stay relevant and on trend.
But this pressure also breeds shortcuts: recycling past work, borderline copyright infringements, and, in today’s age, the use of AI. As the targeted audience, we can sense the coldness — that lack of authenticity.
To a degree, I don’t blame artists for turning to AI. The pressure to stay consistent, fulfill contracts, and remain significant is immense. But still, I can’t help but feel a little insulted. It cuts deeper when an artist gaslights their own fanbase — denying the obvious use of AI — as if we can’t tell the difference between human touch and machine-made mimicry.
Undermining Fan Intelligence
The very people who’ve followed your art for years — who’ve propped you on a pedestal and shaped your career — are now receiving work that’s not entirely yours. Sometimes, it’s not even human.
To be a fan of an artist who takes the easy way out, fully aware that their supporters are spending time and hard-earned money to stand behind them, and this is what they get? It’s disheartening. It breaks that silent bond between creator and consumer.
And it’s not just fans who feel the effects. Collaborators — songwriters, producers, designers, editors — often get caught in the crossfire. Their work gets overshadowed or erased. Sometimes, they’re not credited at all. And when projects are rushed to meet a deadline, the cracks show. The art suffers.
The Impact on Loyalty and Collaboration
Once fans lose faith and collaborators start speaking out, reputation takes a hit — and reputation is everything in this industry. There will always be die-hard fans, but once creative integrity is compromised, it’s nearly impossible to rebuild that trust.
People remember when you lie to them. They remember when you take them for granted.
Authenticity Over Gimmicks
Being a working artist is a miracle in itself. It’s demanding, exhausting, and often thankless — but when artists take the time to pour into their craft, people feel it. The humanity seeps through every frame, lyric, and brushstroke.
Collaborators feel seen. Fans feel valued. And the art breathes again.
The irony is, when used correctly and creatively, AI, trends, and even surface-level references could amplify art — but only if the creative process stays intact at its core.
Why This Matters Beyond One Artist
When enough big names jump on the shortcut bandwagon, it sets a dangerous precedent. It lowers the bar for everyone. In a recent post and YouTube video, I covered Hollywood’s push for an AI actress — a symptom of a larger replaceability problem.
People are starting to expect less from artists. And when that happens, we all lose.
Supporting originality, thoughtful storytelling, and authentic effort isn’t just about taste — it’s about protecting the human side of art itself.
MY Closing Thoughts
At the end of the day, art is supposed to reflect life — messy, imperfect, and deeply human. When shortcuts become the standard, art loses its pulse. It stops breathing with intention and starts mimicking itself, looping convenience instead of truth.
Audiences aren’t just consumers; they’re witnesses. They feel when something’s off — when the soul has been edited out in exchange for speed.
The irony is, perfection has never been what made art timeless. It’s always been the humanity behind it. Maybe this era of shortcuts is reminding us of that — that while the industry may shout, integrity still whispers louder.
Trends fade. Technology evolves. But authenticity? That’s the one thing machines can’t fake.
If this post hit a nerve, share it. Start a conversation. Ask yourself — when was the last time a piece of art made you feel something real? Let’s keep demanding more from the art that shapes our lives.
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