The online film school Curious Refuge is showing industry pros how to use the latest AI tools as they scramble to learn a technology that might rescue — or ruin — their careers.

If you’re 73, have worked on a string of hits ranging from Forrest Gump to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and have two Oscars on your shelf, it might seem like a strange decision to suddenly go back to school. But for production designer Rick Carter, the rise of AI seemed like an opportunity to learn valuable new skills.

“I’m just not a static person — I’m moving forward as long as I’m here and the artists I admire the most are those who’ve evolved throughout their lifetimes,” Carter says. “So that’s why I picked going down this road.” Carter began taking classes at Curious Refuge, which bills itself as the foremost school for teaching AI filmmaking skills.

Founded three years ago — forever in AI terms — Curious Refuge is the brainchild of Shelby Ward and her partner Caleb Ward. The idea was to make a “safe space” for creators from all backgrounds to learn AI storytelling and production techniques. The online-only coursework includes AI filmmaking, advertising, screenwriting, VFX and documentary. The tracks involve watching video tutorials, learning to use various AI tools and completing assignments. To pass a course, you have to create a short film using primarily AI. The Wards claim that they have thousands of current students, and that 95 percent of them are already in the entertainment or ad industries.

The Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/curious-refuge-ai-film-school-hollywood-1236546505/