Working in AI PROFESSIONALLY since 2021! ft. EMMA CATNIP // Civitai Creator Session

Civitai
19 Aug 202461:15

TLDRIn this engaging Creator Session, Tyler interviews Emma Catnip, a pioneering AI animation director and visual artist. Emma shares her journey into AI art, starting as a music producer and visual artist to becoming a prominent figure in the generative AI art community. She discusses her creative process, the evolution of AI art tools, and the importance of storytelling in her work. The conversation also touches on the implications of AI art becoming mainstream, the challenges of keeping up with rapid technological advancements, and the future of AI in animation and creative industries.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Emma Catnip is a music producer and visual artist who has been working as an AI animation director for the past three years.
  • 🌐 She gained recognition on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram for her AI-generated art, which caught the attention of the AI community.
  • 🔍 Emma's journey in AI art began with curiosity about a video she discovered online, leading her to explore tools like Google Collab and the Python notebook by Phil Wang.
  • 🚀 Her breakthrough in AI art came with the video 'Under the Sea,' which got significant attention and led to her becoming a commercial AI animation director.
  • 🏆 Emma has worked with big names in the industry, including a project with the band Plaid for Warp Records, creating visuals for their performances and a graphic novel.
  • 🌍 Her work with Plaid took her around the world, performing live visuals on stage, and she even had her AI-based graphic novel archived in the Library of Congress.
  • 👩‍🎨 Emma emphasizes the importance of storytelling in AI art, suggesting that having a narrative or emotional connection is key to resonating with viewers.
  • 🔧 She finds value in experimenting with different AI tools and enjoys the challenge of working with 'Hot Shot XL' in Anime Diff, which she finds rewarding despite its quirks.
  • 📈 Emma sees a future where AI tools become more integrated into traditional studios and where specialists in AI art continue to find their place.
  • 📱 The release of AI tools like Flux to the general public on platforms like Twitter raises concerns for Emma about misinformation and the need for public education on AI capabilities.
  • 🔮 Looking forward, Emma hints at an exciting new project on the horizon and encourages followers to stay tuned for her upcoming work.

Q & A

  • What is the title of the video and what is it about?

    -The title of the video is 'Working in AI PROFESSIONALLY since 2021! ft. EMMA CATNIP // Civitai Creator Session'. It's about a discussion with Emma Catnip, a music producer and visual artist who has been working as an AI animation director for three years. The video is part of a series called 'Civitai Creator Session' hosted by Tyler.

  • Who is Emma Catnip and what is her professional background?

    -Emma Catnip is a talented music producer and visual artist who has transitioned into the role of an AI animation director over the past three years. She has gained recognition for her work on platforms like X and Twitter.

  • What inspired Emma Catnip to start working with AI in her art?

    -Emma Catnip was inspired to start working with AI after coming across a video on Twitter that showcased a form of rotoscoping. This led her to explore tools like Google Collab and discover the world of AI art.

  • How did Emma Catnip's early AI art video 'Under the Sea' impact her career?

    -The video 'Under the Sea' gained significant attention on social media platforms and led to agents from ATN approaching Emma to become a commercial AI animation director, marking the start of her professional journey in the field.

  • What was the first project Emma Catnip worked on after signing with her agents?

    -Emma Catnip's first project after signing with her agents was creating 20-second animations for a gaming company in Saudi Arabia, which were to be displayed on screens around the venue.

  • How has Emma Catnip's work evolved over the years in the AI art space?

    -Emma Catnip's work has evolved significantly, with her constantly learning and adapting to new tools and technologies in the AI art space. She has transitioned from using Google Collab to exploring various AI animation tools and platforms.

  • What is the significance of Emma Catnip's graphic novel that features AI imagery?

    -The graphic novel is significant as it is one of the first AI-related works to receive copyright. It features AI imagery that has been extensively processed and post-produced, showcasing the potential of AI in creative storytelling.

  • How does Emma Catnip approach the creation of her AI art?

    -Emma Catnip approaches AI art creation with a focus on storytelling and emotion. She believes in the importance of connecting with the viewer and often draws inspiration from current events or popular media.

  • What advice does Emma Catnip have for those looking to pursue a career in AI art?

    -Emma advises aspiring AI artists to focus on telling a story and connecting with the viewer. She emphasizes the importance of having a unique idea and being consistent in creating and sharing work.

  • What are Emma Catnip's thoughts on the future of AI in the animation industry?

    -Emma believes that as AI tools improve and become more user-friendly, they will be increasingly adopted by the animation industry. She also sees a place for specialists in the field, as the technology continues to advance rapidly.

  • How does Emma Catnip stay updated and involved in the AI art community?

    -Emma stays involved by participating in creative partner programs, betas, and alphas of new tools. She also engages with the community through social media and by following the work of other AI artists.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to the AI Art Community

The script opens with a warm welcome to the viewers of a video on citi.com, a platform for the generative AI art community. The host, Tyler, introduces the guest, Emma Catnip, an accomplished music producer and visual artist who has delved into AI animation directing for the past three years. Emma's work has gained attention on social media platforms like X and Twitter. The host expresses excitement about the discussion and previews a video that initially brought Emma to his attention, featuring a unique AI-generated animation set to music.

05:02

🎶 Music and AI Art Creation Process

In this paragraph, the conversation shifts to the creative process behind Emma's AI art. It's revealed that music often serves as a starting point for visualizing AI art. Emma discusses her approach to creating a specific piece that was inspired by psychedelic 60s videos, aiming to evoke a sense of the 'Summer of Love.' The discussion also touches on the technical aspects of AI art creation, including the use of Google Collab and the challenges of working with AI art tools.

10:02

🌊 Emma's Journey into AI Art

Emma recounts her initial encounter with AI art, which led her to explore tools like Google Collab and discover the works of pioneers in the field. Despite initial frustrations, she persisted, taking a Python course to better understand the technology. Her breakthrough came with the creation of 'Under the Sea,' a video that gained popularity and led to commercial opportunities, including a role as a commercial AI animation director.

15:04

🚀 Professional Growth and Industry Perception

The discussion continues with Emma's professional development in the AI art space. She reflects on the early days of her career when her work caught the attention of industry professionals, leading to a diverse range of projects. Emma also addresses the evolving perceptions of AI art within the traditional animation industry and her experiences with both positive and negative feedback.

20:07

🌐 The Future of AI Art and Tools

Looking ahead, Emma and Tyler discuss the future of AI art, considering the potential for integration into larger studios and the importance of specialization. They acknowledge the rapid advancements in AI art tools and the need for continuous learning. Emma emphasizes the importance of storytelling in AI art and the potential for AI to play a significant role in the creative process.

25:08

🌍 Traveling the World with AI Art

Emma shares her experiences traveling the world as a creative director for the band Pla, using AI visuals in their performances. She describes the development of a show concept involving a galactic music festival and the various iterations of the show as technology evolved. The narrative highlights the global impact of AI art and its ability to captivate diverse audiences.

30:12

📚 AI Art and Copyright

In a surprising turn, Emma reveals that she successfully applied for copyright on a graphic novel filled with AI imagery, which has been processed and altered to the point of originality. The novel is now part of the Library of Congress, marking a significant milestone for AI art and its recognition in the realm of intellectual property.

35:15

💡 Advice for Aspiring AI Artists

Emma offers advice for those looking to pursue a career in AI art, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and connecting with the viewer. She encourages artists to think beyond short clips and to consider the personality and movement of their AI creations, suggesting that a focus on narrative and character development can lead to a successful career in the field.

40:17

🤖 AI Art Community and Collaboration

The conversation turns to the AI art community, with Emma expressing her admiration for the work of others in the field and the value of a supportive network. She discusses her own collaborative process with her partner and the joy of discovering and sharing AI art that resonates with humor and creativity.

45:17

🔮 Upcoming Projects and AI Art Horizon

As the discussion winds down, Emma hints at new projects on the horizon while maintaining an air of secrecy about the details. She reflects on the rapid pace of AI art development and the need for artists to continually adapt and learn. Tyler expresses excitement about the future of AI art and the community's role in shaping it.

50:18

📣 Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement

In the final paragraph, Tyler thanks Emma for her insightful discussion and highlights the value of such conversations for the AI art community. He invites viewers to follow Emma on social media and looks forward to future collaborations. The host also teases an upcoming roundtable discussion with other AI artists and encourages viewers to engage with the community.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI Art Community

The AI Art Community refers to a collective of artists, enthusiasts, and developers who engage in the creation and appreciation of artworks generated through artificial intelligence. In the video, this community is central as it represents the audience and participants of the generative AI art content being discussed, with the video itself being a part of the community's discourse.

💡Emma Catnip

Emma Catnip is an individual artist and a key figure in the video, known for her contributions to the AI art space. She is introduced as a music producer and visual artist who has transitioned into an AI animation director. Her work has gained recognition on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, and she is invited to share her experiences and insights within the AI art community.

💡Generative AI

Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can create new content, such as art, music, or text, that is not simply a replication of existing data. In the context of the video, generative AI is the technology that powers the creation of unique AI art, which is the main focus of the discussion and the community involved.

💡AI Animation Director

An AI Animation Director is a professional who utilizes artificial intelligence tools to create animated content. Emma Catnip is described as having transitioned into this role, indicating that she oversees and guides the creative process involving AI in generating animated visuals, as part of her evolution as an artist.

💡Rotoscoping

Rotoscoping is a technique used in animation where live-action motion is recorded and then traced frame by frame to produce animated content. In the video, it is mentioned in relation to the unique style of animation that Emma Catnip has become known for, which is likened to traditional rotoscoping but achieved through AI means.

💡Prompt

In the context of AI art, a 'prompt' is a set of instructions or a description given to an AI system to guide the generation of specific content. The script mentions crafting a prompt for Emma's AI-generated music video, which is a critical step in aligning the AI's output with the desired creative vision.

💡Psychedelic

Psychedelic is a term often used to describe visual art or music that is characterized by vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and a sense of altered perception. The video discusses Emma's work as having a psychedelic vibe, particularly drawing inspiration from 1960s animation and art styles.

💡CFG

CFG likely refers to 'Control Flow Graph' or a similar concept in AI that pertains to the way the AI navigates or modifies the generation process. In the script, Emma mentions pushing the settings of her CFG to achieve a particular aesthetic in her AI animations, indicating a level of customization and control over the AI's creative output.

💡AI Day

The term 'AI Day' is colloquially used in the script to humorously express how quickly the field of AI advances, with the saying 'a day in AI is a year in real time.' It highlights the rapid pace of development and change in AI technology, making even recent work feel outdated as new tools and techniques emerge.

💡Luma

Luma is mentioned in the script as a tool or platform for AI animation. It is noted for its keyframe-to-keyframe feature, which allows for the creation of animations between two specified points. This is significant for animators as it provides a way to control motion and storytelling within AI-generated content.

💡Indie Studio

An Indie Studio refers to an independent production company or group that operates outside of the mainstream or commercial industry structures. In the video, the discussion touches on whether AI art tools will be incorporated into larger studios or remain more prevalent among indie studios and freelancers, reflecting on the flexibility and speed at which smaller teams can adopt new technologies.

Highlights

Emma Catnip, a music producer and visual artist, has been working as an AI animation director for three years.

Her AI art video gained significant attention on Twitter and Instagram, amassing 74,000 views.

Emma created a song in Sunno, which took time to craft the perfect prompt and lyrics.

She started with generative AI art by exploring Google Collab and Google Notebooks, leading to her discovery of the pit notebook.

Emma's first AI video 'Under the Sea' gained popularity and led to her representation by agents for commercial AI animation work.

A Disney director and a Pixar animation director had contrasting reactions to her work, reflecting the evolving sentiment towards AI in animation.

Emma has been traveling the world, creating AI visuals for the band Pla, as their creative director.

She conceptualized a project about an electronic music festival on a faraway planet, which became a graphic novel that received copyright.

Emma's work with Pla has led to performances at prestigious venues like Sydney Opera House and festivals around the world.

She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in AI art, suggesting that it's crucial for connecting with viewers.

Emma discusses the rapid evolution of AI art tools and the need to continuously learn and adapt to stay relevant.

She shares her experience with different AI tools, highlighting the strengths of Luma and Runway in animation.

Emma talks about the challenges and excitement of working with AI, likening it to working with a 'naughty child'.

The integration of AI tools like Flux and its potential implications for misinformation and the broader community are discussed.

Emma shares her thoughts on the importance of consistency and quality in building a career in AI art.

The conversation concludes with Emma's upcoming projects and her advice for aspiring AI artists to keep pushing the boundaries of the technology.