Having been in the crypto world for a long time, I’ve forgotten that I worked in the film industry for several years. Every year, I have regular gatherings with Director Mai to share insights, and AI’s impact on the film industry is also significant.

First, let me mention a highly profitable geographic arbitrage: letting foreigners produce exciting short dramas, with AI changing scenes and costumes, then exporting them overseas. Foreign audiences, unexposed to Chinese film and TV brainwashing, still have a high demand for dopamine-stimulating content with constant plot twists within a few minutes.
In terms of work, the survival space for screenwriters has been squeezed to the minimum; almost any AI tool can replace screenwriters, even producing scripts that are of higher quality.
Secondly, regarding content types, online movies no longer have room to survive. 1-3 minute short dramas tend to rely on dialogue, and AI tools can also replace this in an engineered way. Mid-length dramas of 5-20 minutes require directors’ involvement because, besides dialogue, they also need to portray character details or design actions/mystery scenes, etc. There are not many models to choose from, basically just seedance.
As for movies, since they are industrial-grade productions, the space for replacement is currently limited, but auxiliary creation functions are always in use, such as green screens and 3D rendering, especially suitable for fantasy, action, and special effects. For literary scenes, AI’s role is limited.
Director Mai, at least, has some fame—he has worked with Yuan Heping on “Seven Swords,” and has long-term collaborations with Louis Koo, Donnie Yen, Janice Man, and Bosco Wong. Currently, the impact on his work is not significant because of his industry reputation.
When I was still in the film industry, I also participated in the production and promotion of “Ip Man 3.” Large-scale productions still have irreplaceable parts. If seeking investors, many film companies will merge with a tech company and then seek financing, calling it a “tech film company,” aiming to rival Hollywood.