The BIG news I've been keeping....
After a long and successful two decades in animation, I will be taking my talents to a new endeavor and an exciting new company.
Greetings friends, family and Faceware followers, this is Peter Busch! I’ve got some BIG news that I’d like to share with you all. When I announced I was leaving Faceware after 16 years at the end of January, many of you reached out curious about my next move.
It’s been a little difficult keeping it under wraps these past few weeks - but now, it's time to break the silence!
Most of my career has been in the tech and animation industry and for the past two decades, I have served in a variety of roles at Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, Image Metrics and most recently Faceware these past many years...but there's something new in store!
The Search
Just as a tree draws strength from its roots, my grounding in film and television has always propelled me towards roles that harmoniously blend the creativity of dreamers and the logic of engineers. It was a bittersweet moment when I decided, alongside my family, to leave Faceware - a company that has always exemplified the very qualities that I cherish.
Though Faceware will undoubtedly continue to blossom and achieve great successes, I couldn't help but remain open to an opportunity for an even grander impact in an industry in need of a breath of fresh air.
I have always felt if I were to leave Faceware it would be for a company that was not only fostering groundbreaking capabilities and technologies but one that would also truly appreciate and harness the wealth of knowledge and expertise that my 20-year career has provided me.
I am elated to announce that I have discovered a company that embodies all these attributes and more. Trust me when I say, you are going to want to keep a close watch on us, as we are poised to reshape the landscape of the industry.
The Next Chapter…
I am beyond thrilled to share that I am joining the incredible team at Flawless AI as their Chief Strategic Officer, embracing the innovative frontiers of storytelling and filmmaking.
Stepping into this role, I am surrounded by a deeply talented and experienced team, founded by director Scott Mann (Heist, Fall), and corporate development titan, Nick Lynes.
They have built a unique space where cutting-edge technology and the magic of cinema converge, paving the way for a new era in the industry. Just recently, we welcomed former COO of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, Jen Hollingsworth, on board, further cementing our commitment to excellence.
Generative Hollywood
There's something truly magical about the art of storytelling, especially in the realm of film and television. It has the power to transport us to new worlds, introduce us to unforgettable characters, and evoke powerful emotions.
Animation has long benefitted from the ability to endlessly iterate stories prior to release. With the state of technology, the question must be asked: why can’t live-action storytellers benefit in the same manner?
What if we could make those stories even better, refining and perfecting the moments we love? Enter TrueSync - a cutting-edge service striving to revolutionize the filmmaking process through two exciting breakthroughs.
No-shoot dialogue changes
First to market is AI-assisted live-action reshoots (AIDR), where technology comes to our aid to nimbly tweak dialogues and optimize the arc of a story or character. These enhancements contribute to a higher caliber of storytelling, manage to optimize film ratings and enrich the viewer experience. Giving directors the ability to tell the story they want to and actors can always ensure their best take ends up on screen.
A better dubbing process
The second groundbreaking innovation is visual dubbing, or "vubbing," which addresses the glaring issue of subpar dubbing in foreign films. We've all suffered through poorly executed dubs, where the disorienting visuals and audio detract from the intended narrative.
Scott, our founder, was inspired to seek a better way after witnessing the painfully inadequate German dub of Heist. Using our generative technologies, we will seamlessly be able to preserve the original actors’ performances in whatever native language and we will provide visual translation services to vub any content into any other language. This is a huge challenge.
At Flawless, we understand the critical balance between tradition and progress in the art of storytelling, and as we embark on this journey, I am filled with immense gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to contribute to a future that blends the best of both worlds.
With our collective expertise, passion, and industry experience, the possibilities are limitless, and I couldn't be joining at a more exhilarating moment in time.
The Myth of Technological Inevitibilty
As I pondered over the questions of a major career change that were incessantly swirled in my head, I was reminded of my personal insights into the rapidly developing world of entertainment technology that began to resonate with me.
It is a given that the convergence of numerous innovations is making it increasingly possible to create captivating experiences, but comprehending the reasons behind my involvement remained elusive. I long have grappled with the notion that there must be others out there, undoubtedly more skilled and talented than I, who would bring these technological advancements to life.
In recent years though, I have shifted my perspective by debunking the myth of technological inevitability. Progress does not merely occur due to the inherent potential of novel technologies; instead, it is driven by intelligent, diligent people who focus on solving pertinent problems at precisely the right moments.
These conversations have in the past five years given me a newfound sense of purpose and determination. The realization that if I truly aspired for a revolution and believed in my own abilities, I should actively engage in pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve, and push me with a sense of invigorating determination.