Fable, a San Francisco-based company, is making waves in the entertainment industry with its new platform, Showrunner. Dubbed the “Netflix of AI,” Showrunner allows users to create their own TV shows by writing prompts that are then turned into episodes by artificial intelligence. Fable, led by CEO Edward Saatchi and a team of industry veterans, including those from Oculus, Pixar, and AI startups, has already won two Primetime Emmy awards for its innovative approach.
Initially focused on virtual reality, Fable has now shifted its focus to AI, capitalizing on the growing trend in the industry. With Showrunner, users can make their own TV shows and episodes from the comfort of their couch. They simply describe the episode they want to watch, wait a few minutes, and then start watching. Saatchi envisions a future where viewers can actively participate in the creation of content, not just passively consume it.
To make the process even more accessible, Showrunner provides users with scenes and episodes ranging from two minutes to 16 minutes in length. These episodes are generated by AI, which handles dialogue, voice, editing, shot types, consistent characters, and story development. With just a prompt of around 10 to 15 words, AI can generate an entire episode of 10 to 20 minutes. However, Fable has found that users prefer to provide prompts per scene rather than for an entire episode.
While some shows created using Showrunner may fall short, artists and seasoned filmmakers are stepping up to the challenge of making great AI films. One of Fable’s shows, Exit Valley, a harsh satire about Silicon Valley in the style of South Park, has already garnered attention from major studios like Fox, Netflix, Paramount, and Sony. The team behind Showrunner aims to give creators the opportunity to self-publish their shows on platforms like Amazon Prime. If selected by a jury, creators may even earn IMDB credits and revenue sharing.
Despite its success, Showrunner and AI in general have limitations when it comes to creating epic shows with multi-episode arcs. Currently, AI excels at producing episodic content with characters that reset every episode, such as sitcoms and police procedurals. However, Fable is working on building underlying simulations that will allow characters to have longer arcs, remember past events, and experience permanent consequences and conflict.
Showrunner operates using Fable’s AI model SHOW-1, powered by a Simulation of Sim Francisco. The platform provides users with the tools and technology to develop their own TV shows without relying on big studios. Aspiring showrunners can edit scripts, shots, voices, and even remake episodes. However, Showrunner is primarily targeted at non-technical, non-professional users who simply want to be entertained.
Showrunner has already announced ten TV shows made using the platform. Exit Valley, the first AI TV show made by users with Showrunner, has released its first two episodes. Other shows include United Flavors of America, Ikiru Shinu, Pixels, The Prize, Hutzpa!, Sim Francisco, Shadows over Shinjuku, Thistle Gulch, and What We Leave Behind.
One of the standout features of Showrunner is its ability to create ongoing multi-episode and multi-season arcs. Fable is building underlying simulations for its characters to allow for permanent consequences and character growth. By setting AI characters loose in a world called The Simulation, Fable hopes to observe their evolution and potential for general artificial intelligence.
Fable’s ultimate goal is to revolutionize the entertainment industry by giving viewers the power to create their own shows easily and seamlessly. Saatchi believes that AI is not just another VFX technology but a radical disruption that will change our relationship with entertainment. In the next five years, he envisions a future where audiences can watch a season of a show, love it, and then make new episodes with just a few words. Showrunner is set to be part of this transformative change in the industry.
As Showrunner opens up access to its alpha test, users can visit showrunner.xyz to become part of the experience. With a 50,000-person waitlist, Fable is eager to see what stories emerge from the platform. Jacob Madden, head of technology and co-creator for Showrunner, is excited about the platform’s ability to ignite creativity in people and redefine what a TV show can be.
In conclusion, Fable’s Showrunner platform is poised to revolutionize the entertainment industry by giving users the power to create their own TV shows using artificial intelligence. With a wide range of animated shows already available and plans for ongoing multi-episode arcs, Showrunner is set to redefine the way we consume and participate in entertainment.