Artificial Intelligence “actor” Tilly Norwood released the first single with an accompanying music video.
From London-based Xicoia Studios, the release comes ahead of Norwood’s official AI acting debut this year and offers the first glimpse into the evolving ‘Tilly-verse’, a new entertainment world where AI characters ‘live, interact and act’.
“Take the Lead” was inspired by a recent article by Eline van der Velden, creator of Norwood and CEO of production company Particle6 and AI talent studio Xicoia. She explains that the lyrics reflect the backlash last year across Hollywood following the news that agents were looking to sign Norwood.
The music video, released Tuesday, shows Norwood singing on a London rooftop, swinging from a disco ball, in the bathroom and flying through the clouds on a flamingo, among other activities. A note at the top of the video says: “The following production was produced by 18 real people — from production designers to costume designers to directors, editors and actor. No flamingos were harmed in the process.”
Lyrics include: “When they talk about me, they don’t see the human spark and creativity… I’m just a tool, but I’ve got a life” and “They think I’m just a dollar dream but I’ve got more than they think… I’m not a doll, I’m the star.”
“Take the Lead” was created with Suno, with the accompanying video created by the Particle6 team using a range of readily available AI tools, combined with its own creative process. New techniques deployed include performance capture, with Van der Velden acting out Norwood’s performance.
“Tilly is, and always has been, a way to test the creative abilities and limits of AI – not take on anyone’s job,” said van der Velden. “As an actor, I loved bringing Tilly to life in this video and I feel that now being able to use performance capture in this way, to fully inhabit the character of an AI, is a great way to bring an unknown actor like me closer to the craft.”
“Ultimately, however, even with great new technology, it is still important to emphasize that great AI content is not instantaneous – it always requires good ideas, taste, guidance, judgment and time. In other words: people remain at the heart of that content.”
