TCL Studios presents film slate from first ever TCL Film Machine AI development program

Five Film Shorts to World Premiere at the TCL Chinese Theater on Nov 19

All Films will Launch on the TCLtv+ Streaming Service Beginning Dec 12

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TCL Studios, the new global production hub for TCL's flagship streaming service, TCLtv+, today announced the development slate from its first-ever AI TV/FILM accelerator program, FILM MACHINE. The five films will debut at the TCL Chinese Theater on November 19. The theatrical debut of the films will be followed by their launch on TCLtv+ beginning December 12. TCLtv+ is the flagship streaming service offered by leading consumer electronics company, TCL. It is currently available on TCL Roku TV and all Roku devices, TCL Google TV, and TCL Fire TV, as well as through the app store. The films will be promoted and featured prominently on TCLtv+.

Photo Credits: Dave Clark/Program Advisor: Dave Clark; Chen Tang: Theo and Juliet photography; Kurt Yaeger: Kyrani Kianavaros; Paul Johansson: Kayleigh Hendricks; George Huang: Emily Sandifer; Kellita Smith: Kellita Smith

The TCL FILM MACHINE program was developed by Haohong Wang, General Manager of TCL Research America, Chris Regina, Chief Content Officer, TCL North America, and Daniel Smith, TCL Chief Creative Officer. In making the initial announcement, Wang said, "The 'Film Machine' program was designed to build new pathways for creatives to find success in the industry and help shape the future of storytelling." He added, "We wanted to showcase AI as a catalyst for innovation and creative collaboration, and we are astonished at the creative heights achieved by these filmmakers."

The TCL FILM MACHINE program is a key pillar of TCLArt, an important brand initiative of TCL to make art more accessible and inspiring worldwide. Standing for "The Creative Life", the brand of TCL fosters creativity across its wide-ranging product portfolio, from TVs and smartphones to smart home devices. TCLArt serves as a platform to fulfill this commitment. By blending AI film technology via TCL product offerings, TCLArt aims further to inspire the artists of tomorrow in the film sector.

The five film shorts were helmed by industry creatives selected by TCL for the inaugural program. The five finalists, George Huang (Writer/Director), Paul Johansson (Actor/Writer/Director), Kellita Smith (Actress/Model/Comedian), Chen Tang (Actor), and Kurt Yaeger (Actor/Writer) were chosen based on their passion for learning, desire to implement AI into future Hollywood projects, their unique and creative perspectives, and their professional background. The TCL Studios teams supported each filmmaker using the most advanced AI tools and technology for storyboarding, animating, scoring, and editing. The pipeline program provided customized development, financial and production support to each creative, resulting in a truly unique bespoke slate of films.

The TCL leadership team executive produced each of the films and was supported by award filmmaker Dave Clark, an early pioneer in the use of AI in TV and Film. Clark was an invaluable asset to the TCL teams for his unique perspective and problem-solving skills. Clark will Keynote the TCL screening event.

Film Machine Film development slate:

FILM MACHINE PROJECT: THE AUDITION
Writer/Director George Huang leaned into comedy for his Film Machine film short. THE AUDITION features an actor performing the impossible to fit the director's illogical vision for the role.
Credits:
Writer, Director, EP: George Huang
Cast: Roger Fan, Alexandra Barreto, Garrett Boudreaux

FILM MACHINE PROJECT: THE SLUG
Actor Chen Tang leaned into the Horror genre for his film Machine film short. THE SLUG explores the life of a woman suffering from debilitating disease who goes through a dynamic transformation as result of her home confinement.
Credits:
Writer, EP, Director: Chen Tang
Writer, EP: Rachel Greenhoe

FILM MACHINE PROJECT: PROJECT NEXUS
Actress/Model/Comedian Kellita Smith leaned into Sci-Fi for her animated film short. She drew from experiences in her community to offer the story of four misfit teens - each with a troubled past - discover they've unknowingly been part of an accident in prison that gave them superhuman gifts. Gifts that could ignite a revolution and change things…if they manage to escape with their own lives.
Credits:
Writer, EP, Director: Kellita Smith
Writer: Tony Bracy, Carlos Dixon, Eric Smith, Kellita Smith
Cast: Arianna Smith "CAPRI"; Carlos Dixon "CRUSH"; Christian Barron "TANG";
Matthew Cecil "Sunny "D"; Eric Smith "JUDGE"; Tony Bracy "Officer"; Walter Franks "MENTOR".
Narrator - Walter Franks

FILM MACHINE PROJECT: SUN DAY
Actor/Writer/Director Paul Johansson leaned into Sci-Fi for his film short. The story opens as a young girl wins a lottery that grants her the exclusive access to a rooftop view of the sun atop a giant building thousands of stories high. The event only happens once every 7 years on her planet, and she is locked in a room on the day of the event. Using the knowledge shared by her father, a maintenance worker, she must navigate the inner workings of the building to escape the room and race against the clock to the rooftop to see the sun.
Credits:
Writer, Director, EP: Paul Johansson
Cast: Rockie Frigerio, Paul Johansson

FILM MACHINE PROJECT: THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE (WT)
Producer/Writer/Actor Kurt Yaeger crafted a docufiction mountaineering story that delves into a tragic, harrowing event—one that many would assume marks the end of a life, yet often proves to be a profound and uplifting beginning instead.
Credits:
Writer, Director, EP: Kurt Yaeger
Cast: Neil Hoover

Chris Regina added, "The TCL Film Machine program exemplifies TCLArt's vision of blending cutting-edge technology with artistic expression to foster creativity on a global scale. This is a pivotal moment of realignment in the industry, and TCL is leading the way in demystifying the use of AI tools through our production initiatives. We were honored to welcome all the talented and intrepid visionaries to our TCL Studios. This group of creatives represents the very best of the entertainment industry and their experience and expertise will further strengthen our mission to enhance and advance content creation. We can't wait for you to see this extraordinary slate of films."

Daniel Smith said, "These last few months have seen an explosion of profound creativity with many challenges and obstacles, but imagination and determination helped drive us forward. We are so excited to show off these brilliant projects in this celebrated venue."