Asteria Film Co., the new AI-powered studio founded by Bryn Mooser and actress Natasha Lyonne, is making waves in Hollywood. The studio held a launch event on the Eastside of Los Angeles, showcasing its ambition to revolutionize filmmaking using AI technology.
Asteria’s claim? It’s poised to be the first "ethical" AI studio. It promises that its model was trained exclusively on licensed material, in stark contrast to the controversial training phrases used by many generative AI platforms.
Lyonne, attending the event, emphasized the urgency of embracing AI in the industry. She said, “It’s better to get your hands dirty than pretend it’s not happening.” The sentiment echoed in the crowd, where many industry insiders remarked on AI’s "inevitable" role in the future of film. 
The industry is in a state of flux, grappling with layoffs and diminishing box office returns. As Hollywood navigates an "existential crisis," opinions on AI’s role are split. While some believe it’s a dangerous trend, others see it as a pathway to innovation. Projects like Asteria’s point toward a potential shift in how films are conceptualized and produced.
Despite the concerns, every major studio is actively exploring AI, albeit quietly. Contracts negotiated during union strikes have set parameters for AI use, specifically protecting actors and writers from unconsented digital replication. Yet, the ambiguity surrounding AI’s legal landscape remains, with over 35 lawsuits filed against AI companies for copyright violations.
"The biggest fear in all of Hollywood is that you’re going to make a blockbuster, and guess what? You’re going to sit in litigation for the next 30 years," one producer commented.
Notably, studios like Runway have also made significant inroads, changing the game for visual effects and storytelling. They are partnering with directors like Darren Aronofsky and James Cameron, pushing the boundaries of how films are crafted.
Asteria, with its backing and ethical pledge, aims to lead this charge. Lyonne is already in preproduction for a sci-fi film, leveraging AI to aid in visual storytelling. She asserts that empowering indie creators using AI could change the narrative, allowing filmmakers to maintain control over their storytelling.
The industry’s future remains uncertain—will AI enhance creativity or threaten traditional methods? As Lyonne said, “We need some sort of Dogme 95 for the AI era.” The answer may come sooner than we expect.
