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Google is undertaking an ambitious project to recreate the classic 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz' in stunning high-definition for the Sphere in Las Vegas. This innovative endeavor leverages advanced artificial intelligence and prompting techniques to transform the iconic film into a visually captivating experience.
Scheduled for release at the end of August, this project involves a collaborative effort between Google, special effects partners, and the content studio associated with the Sphere. The initiative aims to upscale the original film, traditionally presented in a 4:3 aspect ratio, to an extraordinary 16K resolution. Furthermore, the unique layout of the Sphere necessitates the AI-driven creation of additional scenes, allowing characters to appear in different positions across the expansive 180-degree display.
During a recent press event, Google showcased segments of the film, highlighting the capabilities of its DeepMind image generators. The endeavor is supported by Google Cloud, which provides the necessary AI resources and backend infrastructure. Both Thomas Kurian and Sundar Pichai, the CEOs of Google Cloud and Alphabet respectively, attended the presentation, emphasizing the project's significance.
While the film is still in production, Google acknowledged that work will continue until the last moment before its debut. The collaboration began with Sphere Entertainment Co., led by James L. Dolan, who also oversees the Madison Square Garden Group. Dolan expressed the need for a suitable partner, leading them to Google and DeepMind.
The Sphere itself is designed as a 4D cinema, offering an immersive experience with a 180-degree panoramic view, vibrations, and wind effects to enhance audience engagement. Notably, Pichai humorously remarked on the scale of the project, suggesting he had never appeared so large on screen.
The presentation at the Sphere illustrated its capabilities, beginning with a Gemini-generated backdrop of a Kansas farm that transitioned through various color changes. The audience was then treated to the original black-and-white opening of 'The Wizard of Oz', displayed in its original format, before being transported to a vivid new world where Dorothy and her companions--such as the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man--were brought to life in high definition.
Special effects company Magnopus, in collaboration with DeepMind and Google Cloud, elaborated on their approach to the project. The production, which has received approval from Warner Bros. Discovery, is being produced by Oscar-winner Jane Rosenthal. Generative AI models like Imagen and Veo, along with the latest version of Gemini, have played a crucial role in this endeavor. The team was fortunate to have access to the late cameraman's handwritten notes from the original film, allowing them to reconstruct scenes that were not included in the final cut.
With a seating capacity of 17,600, the Sphere is set to be a groundbreaking venue, although the duration of the show's run remains uncertain. The AI models utilized in this project surpass the capabilities of traditional CGI, providing a faster and more cost-effective solution. Steven Hickso, a researcher at DeepMind, noted the rapid advancements in technology, stating that challenges previously deemed impossible were being overcome within a month.
By employing optimized versions of Veo, Imagen, and Gemini, the teams developed a 'Super Resolution' tool to convert the original film's grainy images into ultra-high-definition visuals suitable for the Sphere's format. Additionally, AI 'outpainting' techniques were applied to expand scene dimensions and fill gaps arising from the original editing. The overall production budget is estimated to exceed $80 million.
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Join us for an exciting evening of jazz at the EMMAUSKIRCHE on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 19:00 to 20:30. Experience fresh sounds from the talented young jazz quintet led by Anton Sigling from Harlaching. This group features award-winning musicians from the Federal Competition 'Jugend jazzt' and...
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