Scorsese Backs AI Storyboarding at 83, Drawing Hollywood Backlash
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 3
Scorsese Backs AI Storyboarding at 83, Drawing Hollywood Backlash
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 3
Summary
Black Forest Labs named 83-year-old Martin Scorsese an adviser after he said its AI storyboard tool was "creatively freeing" and helped him visualize scenes instantly in pre-production.
Scorsese said the tool let him share ideas faster with his production designer, art director and cinematographer, cutting time and cost without sacrificing quality or craft.
Karla Ortiz and animation director Samuel Deats attacked the endorsement, arguing such models threaten storyboard artists' jobs and rely on work taken from millions of artists without consent.
The dispute lands amid a wider Hollywood split: Steven Spielberg has called AI a useful tool, Guillermo del Toro said he would "rather die" than use it, and Adam Shankman this week denied using AI in his new film.
As AI resurrects deceased actors, where does Hollywood draw the line between technological tribute and ethical exploitation?
After the 2026 Supreme Court ruling, how much human input is needed for an AI-assisted film to be copyrighted?
With AI trained on artists' work, what will protect their jobs from being devalued or replaced by algorithms?
Hollywood at a Crossroads: Scorsese’s AI Partnership, Industry Backlash, and the Battle Over Creativity and Job Security
Overview
On June 3, 2026, Martin Scorsese announced his partnership with Black Forest Labs, joining as an adviser and publicly embracing generative AI for storyboarding. This move, facilitated by introductions from BroadLight Capital and support from CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz, marks a tipping point in Hollywood’s acceptance of AI. Scorsese’s endorsement is seen as strong proof that AI technology works in filmmaking, signaling a new era where industry leaders are integrating advanced tools to enhance creativity and efficiency in the production process.