This Gorillaz Short Film Is The Kind Of Art AI Simply Can't Make

Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's cartoon band, the Gorillaz, has taken a stand against generative AI with its new project, a short animated film that serves as a hand-crafted homage to the golden era of 2D animation. Released in time for the band's new album of the same name, The Mountain reimagines the group through the lens of a '60s-era animated film, complete with all the imperfections that made those movies look and feel special. Co-director Max Taylor says the project evolved into a "love letter to craftsmanship" during a time of "AI overload".

Taylor added that animation studio The Line utilized a hybrid analog-digital workflow, mixing real materials, practical effects, and period-accurate limitations over contemporary shortcuts.

"If particular visuals couldn't be achieved in that era, then we didn't do them. We processed our digital pencil work to mimic photocopy degradation. We scanned real paintings at high resolution and finished the details digitally. It was about capturing the tactile quality that only real materials give you," Taylor said (via Catsuka). "In a time of AI overload, this is our love letter to craftsmanship. We're chasing the feel of pencil on paper. Paint on board. And all the imperfections that come with it."