Director Paul Trillo Crafts Short Film Entirely with Runway’s Gen-2 Generative AI Technology

Director and AI innovator Paul Trillo’s new short film 'Thank You For Not Answering' explores the faded and deteriorated memories of a man leaving a voicemail for an ex-lover, reflecting on the life they had and the life they could have had. Made entirely with Runway’s Gen-2 generative video technology, we see the subjective reality AI can create, as if it too is recalling a memory of a memory. 

The idea behind 'Thank You For Not Answering' originally spawned out of a previous idea Trillo had for a short film prior to the rise of AI tools. With the advent of Runway’s Gen-2, he saw AI as a compelling way to reconstruct someone's memory of the world - a creative choice rooted in the process of AI itself. He then wrote the voice over script and generated the audio using AI speech software Eleven Labs. 

With this piece, Trillo takes advantage of the aesthetic limitations of AI as the surreal and often uncanny nature would be difficult to recreate with cameras or traditional animation. These otherworldly attributes lend themselves to dreams, memories, and alternate realities. 

“I'm more interested in exploring what makes these tools different than trying to recreate a Hollywood blockbuster,” notes Paul Trillo. “I have been working with ideas that play with our perception of reality, our memory, and how that affects who we are. Gen-2 is the closest to a snapshot of a dream that I have ever seen.”

Paul Trillo is a LA based director who challenges both curiosity and illusion. From creating the first fully mobile bullet time camera rig with 50 Nokia phones to choreographing an aerial smoke show using drones, Paul’s constant pursuit of new techniques has led to a strikingly fresh body of work. His varied interest in technology, comedy, and visual design permeates throughout. Earlier this year, Trillo combined AI, live-action footage, and digital motion design tools into a striking new GoFundMe campaign titled 'Help Changes Everything,' designed to thank donors and let them know their contributions change lives for the better. 

These experiments have led to 17 Vimeo Staff Picks and have been featured in a variety of outlets including Creator’s Project, Gizmodo, GQ and Scientific American. Paul has been listed as one of D&AD’s Next Directors and has recently won 'The One Show’s One To Watch' and '30 Under 30 Film Festival’s Director to Watch' awards. Paul has participated in various panel discussions including SXSW and Northside Festival. Trillo is represented by ArtClass for branded content and advertising based collaborations.