When Does an Actor Stop and AI Begin? Insights from The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez

The films The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez have recently sparked discussions about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in refining actor performances. The Brutalist utilized AI to enhance the dialogue delivered by its actors, while Emilia Pérez employed AI technology to broaden the vocal range of lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón by blending her voice with that of French pop star Camille, who co-wrote the film.

Only recently, Adrien Brody received a Golden Globe award for his role in The Brutalist, portraying László Tóth, a fictional Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor. As awards season continues, he is among the frontrunners for an Oscar nomination. Meanwhile, Emilia Pérez is also gaining traction in the race for various accolades.

However, this ongoing use of AI raises an essential question: should actors be recognized with performance awards if AI has played a part in refining their roles?

Can AI Make ‘Perfect’ Possible?

The editor of The Brutalist, Dávid Jancsó, was the first to address the film's use of AI technology. As a native Hungarian speaker, he aimed for the Hungarian dialogue to sound so authentic that even local audiences would not detect any modifications.

Director Brady Corbet clarified that the AI was used to improve the accuracy of certain Hungarian vowels and consonants in the film’s dialogue, but that the core performances of Brody and his co-star Felicity Jones remain intact.

Corbet stated that AI from the Ukrainian software company Respeecher was employed strictly for editing the Hungarian dialogue, leaving the English portions unchanged. Both Brody and Jones collaborated closely, merging their voices with dialogue recorded by Jancsó to ensure precise Hungarian pronunciation.

In Emilia Pérez, the film’s re-recording mixer Cyril Holtz noted that extending Gascón's vocal abilities involved a cooperative effort among artists, showcasing the complexity of the creative process.

The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike highlighted the growing concerns about AI in the film industry, signaling that discussions around protections and regulations are far from complete. While AI in these examples is limited to enhancing communication and expressive capabilities, broader concerns about authenticity and accuracy arise: What level of precision are we content with? If AI makes perfection achievable, are we risking setting that standard as the norm?

The Role of the Accent Coach

Brody and Jones collaborated with accent coach Tanera Marshall to master their Hungarian accents for the film. This accent work was necessary as their English lines dominate the film.

As a voice and accent coach, my role involves training actors in vocal techniques that cater to their characters and scripts, including methods for maintaining vocal health and learning various accents. By engaging with an accent coach, actors enhance their ability to acquire new accents and sustain them throughout their performances.

Accent and voice training are vital for actors to fully embody their roles. Accents encompass much more than mere changes in sounds; they involve elements such as rhythm, melody, and emotional resonance tied to a character's background.

For Brody and Jones, mastering the Hungarian accent was essential for effectively portraying their characters. The accent plays a significant role in their deliverance and overall character arcs.

It is customary for actors to participate in post-production processes like automated dialogue replacement (ADR) to refine their performances. Accent coaches usually accompany actors during these sessions to ensure consistency across their delivery.

However, according to Jancsó, even traditional ADR couldn’t achieve the desired accuracy, leading to the introduction of AI editing techniques. Accents inherently reflect cultural identity, conveying crucial insights about a character beyond their physicality.

Unfortunately, there are instances where filmmakers underestimate the significance of authentic accents, opting for those deemed commercially viable over rigorous linguistic accuracy. The Brutalist deserves recognition for its commitment to dialectical authenticity, but do we want AI involvement as part of that solution?

And the Award Goes to... AI?

The editing methods utilized in The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez might be more widespread in the industry than many believe. For example, Rami Malek’s singing in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) featured a combination of Queen's original recordings, Marc Martel’s efforts, and Malek’s own voice. Despite mixing, Malek was awarded the Best Actor Oscar, suggesting that audiences and awards committees may treat AI contributions as elements of the overall performance.

In September 2024, Screen Australia published key principles to guide AI's role in the industry, emphasizing the important notions of human talent, transparency, ethical design, and diversity among others. Similar to these guidelines, in The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, actors' consent and talent were prioritized, with filmmakers remaining transparent about their processes. One could argue that The Brutalist's emphasis on accurate Hungarian representation promotes inclusivity for a historically underrepresented language in Hollywood.

However, we tread a precarious line. At what point does refinement become the creation of an entirely new voice by AI? If accents and vocal dynamics become easy to alter, could this place actors at risk of becoming obsolete?

The Brutalist navigates complex themes regarding artistic integrity. Ironically, it might rely on technology that threatens to compromise the authenticity it strives to present. This irony is worth contemplating. In our quest to perfect human representation, are we gradually losing its intrinsic qualities?

AI, actors, performance