Hollywood, CA – December 17, 2024 – Asteria, the generative AI film and animation studio, has partnered with AI research firm Moonvalley to develop “Marey,” a foundational AI model for Hollywood that relies exclusively on data from ethical sources. Named after cinema pioneer Étienne-Jules Marey, the Marey Model is designed to provide filmmakers and studios with an AI tool that avoids the legal and ethical issues typically associated with AI-generated media.
Team Moonvalley and Asteria.
The partnership between Asteria and Moonvalley marks a significant milestone for the entertainment industry grappling with the implications of AI-driven content creation. Unlike models trained on publicly retrieved datasets, Marey’s data is entirely owned by the company, providing an ethical alternative to widely used generative AI systems.
“We recognized that Hollywood could not fully embrace AI without a clean model that respected the rights of creators,” said Bryn Mooser, CEO of Asteria. “With Marey, we offer an option that prioritizes both artistry and integrity.” Mooser, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, also founded XTR, a documentary studio with its own streaming platform, DOCUMENTARY+.
Greg Miller, Bryn Mooser and Nick Confalone in the Asteria production studio.
Moonvalley, led by Naeem Talukdar, recently secured $70 million in funding to accelerate its generative AI initiatives. The company has recruited researchers from top AI companies, including DeepMind, Google and Meta. Talukdar pointed out that Marey’s clean training approach sets it apart from existing AI models, which often face legal scrutiny. “We are building an AI company that Hollywood can trust,” Talukdar said.
The Marey Model is expected to be completed early next year, ushering in a new era for AI-driven production in film, television and animation. As Hollywood looks for ways to integrate AI into creative workflows, the Asteria-Moonvalley partnership is positioning itself as a responsible leader in this area.
