The Australian Children’s Television Foundation has criticised the use of generative AI in pitch decks from screen creatives, outlining that using the technology will likely lead to instant dismissal during the proposal phase of screen development.
Over the last year, the organisation – which supports an array of Australian kids-focussed screen projects to launch – has reportedly been receiving an increasing array of generative AI-created pitches, all of which are easily recognisable and of a quality that ‘usually results in generic concepts, presented with warped imagery.’
‘In a competitive market, where fewer children’s TV series and films are being commissioned, authenticity and distinctiveness are more important than ever,’ the ACTF says.
Australian Children Television’s Foundation warns of AI use – quick links
The challenges of AI pitch decks, per the Australian Children Television’s Foundation
The ACTF is looking for original, rich and nourish content for children with deep thought put into its creation. As it says, generative AI can be used to make a pitch deck in a ‘fraction’ of the time it previously took, but corner cutting is not what they’re looking for.
Smart, considered pitches will always shine through.
As the organisation says, it continues to look for unique concepts that ‘cut through the noise in the streaming and online space.’ There is rare original thought when it comes to generative AI, and more to the point, using the technology actually creates real risk in the space of children’s TV content.
As the ACTF points out, the technology cribs from existing concepts, causing a risk that seemingly ‘original’ content takes ideas from elsewhere. On a practical level, it’s also impossible for generative AI to be copyrighted as it’s not created by human hands, raising ‘ potential IP ownership and copyright issues.’
‘Even just heavily editing your original ideas in an AI program could be problematic,’ the ACTF says. ‘It might make work grammatically correct, but it can also strip the writing of individuality and authenticity.’
Pitch decks created with generative AI also miss the flavour of the core idea, even if this itself is free of AI use.
‘In AI-created pitch decks, character descriptions are often reduced to brief, generic dot points, offering little insight into their appeal to children,’ the ACTF says.
Plots are often reduced to a formula. As the ACTF explains, it has started seeing patterns in pitches created using AI. While individual creators might not have insight about how generic these presentations are becoming, the ACTF has been exposed to them repeatedly.
Imagery used in these presentations has also started to grate for the organisation. As it explains, applicants are all using the same sorts of tools, creating a generic sameness that makes pitches boring and run-of-the-mill. Some applicants are also leaning into generative AI so heavily that their images are clearly ‘generic and machine-made, and they tend to be riddled with distorted images.’
‘AI-designed characters and worlds may also misrepresent the likely finished product, when their visual complexity cannot be achieved in the project’s proposed non-AI animation process,’ the ACTF says.
A pitch, as the organisation says, is meant to show off the best of what creatives can achieve and how they will deliver it. Pitches created using generative AI suggest a lack of care and sloppiness that is likely to be reflected in a finished product, even if generative AI is not planned to be used directly in it.
What the Australian Children’s Television Foundation is looking for
As the Australian Children’s Television Foundation says, going forward, it would like to see those applying for funding put a bit more love and care into their pitch decks.
In lieu of using simple, generic AI tools, it has encouraged creatives to commission artists, should they need help with creating stylish pitch decks. Otherwise, it has clearly stated that human-led pitches with heart and original ideas are always preferable to those tossed through generative AI for ‘polish.’
It has also encouraged applicants to focus their pitches on what should be included, and not what AI suggests should be. An influx of recent pitches have reportedly featured lots of information and ‘overly detailed’ documents that don’t really provide insight into projects or their concepts.
‘Many AI-designed pitch decks emphasise the IP’s expandable world, detailing “commercial flywheel and consumer products” and the manufacture of plush toys (based on AI imagery) rather than showing the strength and appeal of the project itself.’
The ACTF says it welcomes applications from creators of all experience levels, but has warned that using generative AI is not a shortcut to success, and these pitches will be more than likely dismissed at first meeting.
‘No amount of AI research, editing and generating can take the place of human creativity and passion,’ it says.
‘Researching the industry, finding out what is being commissioned by broadcasters, and working with an experienced producer are all steps you can take to help shape your project in the right way. Taking the time to write from the heart and collaborating with other creatives, such as animators, illustrators, and photographers, are key to presenting a truly unique pitch deck that stands out from the crowd.’
‘The ACTF has a strict policy that only human beings can assess the applications we receive. Using AI to create a pitch deck might save you time. But our human assessors are yet to see a good one.’
