I am back in the studio this morning to explore my virtual photography/ art – very subtle Rembrandt lighting on alpha.


The Impact of Digital Humans on Video Production, Entertainment, and Consumer Experience
Introduction
The advent of digital human technology, such as the Unreal Engine metahuman, can revolutionise how we create and consume media. The ability to create highly realistic and emotive digital humans has far-reaching implications for video production, entertainment, and consumer experience. In this essay, we will explore the current and potential future impacts of digital human technology on these areas, and what that means for consumers, actors, and brands, using examples.
Current Impact on Video Production
Digital human technology, such as the Unreal Engine metahuman, has significantly impacted how video production is done. For example, the use of digital human technology in the movie “The Irishman” directed by Martin Scorsese, allowed the de-aging of the main actors, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, which was a major technical achievement. Another example is the creation of the character of “Norman” in the game “Death Stranding” developed by Kojima Productions, which was created using the digital human technology, and has been praised for its realism and emotive performance.
Potential Future Impact on Entertainment
As digital human technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see it being used in an ever-increasing number of ways in the entertainment industry. For example, in the future, we may see more movies and video games that use digital human technology to create highly realistic and expressive characters, leading to more immersive and engaging experiences for viewers. Additionally, virtual reality and augmented reality experiences could also use digital human technology to create even more realistic and interactive experiences.
Impact on Consumer Experience
Digital human technology also has the potential to change the way consumers interact with brands. For example, a brand could use digital human technology to create a virtual spokesperson that can interact with customers in a realistic and emotive way, making it easier to connect with audiences. Additionally, digital human technology could also be used to create virtual product demonstrations and virtual reality shopping experiences, allowing customers to try on clothes, test drive cars, and more without ever leaving their homes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, digital human technology, such as the Unreal Engine metahuman, has the potential to revolutionize the way we create and consume media. Its ability to create highly realistic and emotive digital humans has far-reaching implications for video production, entertainment, and consumer experience. While digital human technology has already significantly impacted how video production is done, we can expect to see even more advancements in the future. The entertainment industry is likely to see more immersive and engaging experiences for viewers, while the consumer experience could be impacted by the use of digital human technology in advertising campaigns and virtual product demonstrations. It’s important to consider the ethical implications of using digital actors in place of human actors and its potential impact on the livelihoods of real actors, and to be aware of the new opportunities and challenges that come with the advancements in digital human technology.
