Hollywood is betting on AI to reimagine the Wizard of Oz experience in a groundbreaking production set to open on August 28, 2023, off the Las Vegas Strip.
- Hollywood is betting on AI to reimagine the Wizard of Oz experience in a groundbreaking production set to open on August 28, 2023, off the Las Vegas Strip.
Nearly 18,000 audience members will find themselves caught in the swirling tornado that transports Dorothy’s farmhouse to Munchkinland. This ambitious project, dubbed “The Wizard of Oz at Sphere,” utilises a staggering 160,000-square-foot wall of LED panels, which encircle the audience, reaching heights of 22 stories. With 750-horsepower fans simulating winds and debris, the experience promises to be unlike anything the original creators could have envisioned.
The ticket price starts at $104, making this a significant investment in a new form of entertainment. According to industry experts, it represents a landmark collaboration between traditional film studios and cutting-edge technology, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence.
Thao Nguyen, an agent at CAA focusing on immersive arts and emerging technologies, remarked, “It definitely represents a really meaningful milestone in AI-human creative collaboration. I think it will set a precedent on how we reimagine culturally significant media.” Over two years, a vast team of over 2,000 individuals, including visual effects artists, executives from Warner Bros Discovery, and Google’s DeepMind researchers, have worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life.
Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, alongside his studio chiefs, granted the project’s green light, establishing specific guidelines for AI usage. The creative team combed through archival materials, including set blueprints and publicity stills, alongside 60 research papers to ensure the film was presented in ultra-high-definition, a ten-fold improvement over previous restorations.
“We had to reimagine the cinematography, we had to reimagine the editing, and we had to do all of this without changing the experience,” said Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Ben Grossmann. He emphasised the need to respect the original film, stating, “If you touch anything about this sacred piece of cinema, you’re toast!” This sentiment underscores the delicate balance between innovation and reverence for the source material.
The project, which commenced in early 2023, was chosen to push the technological boundaries of the Sphere, a venue already known for hosting major artists like U2. Carolyn Blackwood, head of Sphere Studios, noted that the classic film was an ideal candidate for this ambitious undertaking, aiming to introduce the beloved story to new generations in a captivating format.
In a unique twist, the production sought not to replace human creativity with AI but to enhance it. Buzz Hays, a veteran film producer leading Google Cloud’s entertainment solutions, stated, “Hollywood embraces new technology, and everyone can’t wait to be the second one to use it. What ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is doing for us is giving that first opportunity where people go, ‘Oh my god, this is not at all what I thought AI was going to be.'”
However, the use of AI did not come without challenges. Initial attempts to enlarge images through CGI were rejected for threatening the integrity of the original performances. Grossmann explained that AI became a necessary tool, stating, “AI was effectively a last resort, because we couldn’t really do it any other way.” This involved enhancing the resolution of the original film frames to ultra-high-definition and restoring details that had previously been obscured.
The immersive experience extends beyond visual effects; musicians re-recorded the film’s score on the original sound stage to fully utilise the venue’s impressive sound system. However, the vocal performances of the original cast remain unaltered, maintaining a connection to the film’s legacy.
While many anticipate the transformation of this classic, some cinephiles have expressed concerns about altering such a cherished film. Entertainment writer Joshua Rivera described the project as “an affront to art and nature.” In response, Rosenthal defended the project, saying, “None of these people criticizing this have seen the film or understand what we are doing.”
In a private screening for Reuters, Grossmann showcased the enhancements made, such as strategically placing characters back into frames to enrich storytelling. The production team aimed to realise the filmmakers’ vision in ways previously unfeasible, like a towering green head of the Wizard that looms over the audience, enhancing the immersion of the experience.
The Sphere will also feature physical effects, including 16-foot-long helium-filled flying monkeys controlled by drones, adding a dynamic element to the performance. This amalgamation of cinema, live production, and experiential VR could redefine how audiences engage with entertainment.
