TCL's AI Short Films: A Mixed Bag of Bad Comedy and Existential Horror

Exploring TCL's AI-Generated Short Films: A Review

Earlier this year, TCL made a buzz with the release of a trailer for Next Stop Paris, an AI-animated short film that seemed reminiscent of an overly dramatic Lifetime movie. The responses to the trailer pointed out several flaws typical of AI animation—like motionless characters, blank expressions, and jittery visuals. In light of the criticism, I assumed this would be the end of TCL's AI film experimentations. However, TCL surprised audiences by debuting five new AI-generated short films for their TCLtv Plus free streaming platform, and I felt compelled to delve into these creations.

Ranking TCL's Latest AI-Inspired Offerings

Although these films appear slightly improved compared to Next Stop Paris, they remain clear indicators that AI-generated videos are still a work in progress, as seen with several other AI video tools like OpenAI's Sora. It's crucial to note that the issues present in these films may extend beyond the AI technology itself.

5. Sun Day

Sun Day is a futuristic short that borrows elements from Ray Bradbury’s “All Summer in a Day.” The plot revolves around a girl who lives on a planet where the sun graces its inhabitants only once every seven years. When selected for a rooftop view, she faces the challenge of overcoming bullies who confine her, leading to a chaotic escape attempt through the school’s sewer.

Despite a decent voice acting performance, the animation falters with a lack of facial expressions that distract from the storytelling.

4. Project Nexus

Project Nexus feels more like a teaser than a standalone short film. The narrative introduces a man discovering a radioactive rock and how four teens gain supernatural powers after an explosion. However, the story ends abruptly, marked by a cliffhanger.

While the story line possesses potential, the combination of lackluster animation and subpar voice performances detracts from the overall experience.

3. The Best Day of My Life

Presented in a docufiction format, The Best Day of My Life features actor Dr. Warren Brown recounting a dramatic tale of surviving an avalanche on Chile’s Cerro Castillo mountain with the aid of AI-recreated flashbacks. The film alternates between live-action sequences and AI visuals, but unfortunately, it lacks coherence.

The depiction of traumatic moments, particularly an AI-generated image of a severed leg, felt a bit jarring, ultimately diminishing the film's impact.

2. The Audition

The Audition begins as a light-hearted skit showcasing an actor auditioning in front of a demanding casting director. However, it spirals into an unfunny series of bizarre requests. The casting director’s demands range from adopting various accents to resembling character tropes, culminating in an AI morphing the actor into different roles.

The climax leaves viewers frustrated, as the casting director ultimately rejects the actor despite his transformation efforts.

1. The Slug

The Slug perhaps stands as the most disconcerting of the bunch. Its narrative follows a woman plagued by arthritis, out of reach from her family and doctors. Awash in physical agony, she finds solace in placing a slug outside her window. The storyline takes a dark turn as the woman's body gradually morphs into a slug, leading up to a haunting conclusion.

This unsettling transformation, combined with lackluster visuals, significantly detracts from the viewing experience, leaving audiences feeling a mix of confusion and discomfort.

Final Thoughts

TCL's exploration into AI-generated short films showcases both innovative strides and significant pitfalls. The experiences reflect the current limitations of AI technology in the realm of creative storytelling, reminding audiences that while the potential is vast, the execution often falls short.

For those intrigued by the latest AI advancements in conversational experiences, consider exploring the app AI Chat – WEB3 Private. This innovative platform provides users with interactive and engaging chat experiences fueled by token-based AI technology. Available on iOS and Android, it's reshaping how we converse with AI.

Download AI Chat now: iOS Link | Android Link