Adrien Brody on AI: "We should always cherish and support the creative process"
Adrien Brody used his Red Sea International Film Festival In Conversation session to say the quiet part out loud: new tools can help, but emotion is irreplaceable. His advice to creatives was simple and sharp - protect the craft while you experiment.
"We're living in a time where there are immense shifts in every field," he said. "Technology is a major factor... There are new tools that are now available that will definitely enhance our abilities to do great work. But there is nothing to replace emotion."
AI is a tool - the heart stays human
Brody's stance isn't anti-tech. It's pro-craft. "We should always cherish and support the creative process and beauty of filmmaking," he said. "That's not to say an evolution of that, which is inevitable, is bad."
- Use AI to reduce friction (drafts, references, pre-viz), not to replace taste or voice.
- Define your non-negotiables: moments, beats, and choices that must be made by a human.
- Document your style: a simple playbook for tone, pacing, color, and performance priorities.
- Be transparent with collaborators about what's AI-assisted and what's human-made.
- Protect consent: don't train on or mimic anyone's likeness, voice, or work without permission.
If you're exploring AI workflows without losing the soul of your work, see practical course paths by role here: Complete AI Training - Courses by Job.
Too much content? Build filters
"You have a lot of options of content now - it makes it hard to sort through all of that." He's right. Volume isn't the problem; weak filters are.
- Create a 10-title watchlist that serves your next project's needs. Stick to it.
- Time-box consumption: 60-90 minutes per day. Make notes. Archive what sparks ideas.
- Use trusted curators: a small circle of peers whose taste you respect beats algorithmic feeds.
Career patience as a creative asset
Brody revealed he hasn't taken a role since The Brutalist, which earned him his second Oscar earlier this year. "Not because I have not had interesting opportunities, but they didn't feel quite right."
- Have a "fit" checklist: story, character arc, director, team, timeline, distribution.
- Say no fast when it's off-mission; say yes only when it compounds your body of work.
- Leave space between projects so the next choice is deliberate, not reactive.
Respect for craft - and room for new voices
Brody grew up with filmmakers doing dangerous, physical stunts and in-camera effects. That hands-on spirit still matters, even as tools change. The point isn't nostalgia - it's standards.
He also praised Saudi Arabia's growing industry: "Wonderful to be here and witness the evolution of the festival and what Saudi is doing in film and creative empowerment for so many people. Young people, new directors, women - whose voices are so often underserved - and I find that really wonderful and admirable."
Context: the body of work
Brody won this year's best actor Oscar for The Brutalist, playing Lazlo Toth, a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor and architect who immigrates to the United States. His first Academy Award came in 2003 for The Pianist, portraying Wladyslaw Szpilman's story during the Second World War. You can find past ceremony details here: The Oscars - 2003 Ceremony.
His credits span The Thin Red Line, King Kong, Midnight In Paris, and Blonde; plus multiple collaborations with Wes Anderson on The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Asteroid City.
Festival notes
Brody's comments came during a 40-minute In Conversation session at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia. The series continues Sunday, December 7, with sessions featuring Competition jury president Sean Baker and fellow juror Nadine Labaki. RSIFF runs until Saturday, December 13.
The takeaway for creatives: use AI to extend your reach, not to outsource your taste. Keep the emotional core in human hands. Set standards, set filters, and choose projects that compound your voice over time.
Your membership also unlocks:
