The latest episode 6 of Amazon’s “House of David” features a mythical origin sequence for the character Goliath, ingeniously crafted using generative AI tools in the production process. “The entire scene is powered by generative AI tools. We discovered that these technologies are effective when paired with traditional methods, ” Jon Erwin, the series creator and co-showrunner, explained to Variety. He noted that the initial script for this approximately 90-second segment was quite modest, but as the filmmakers envisioned more dynamic visuals and integrated AI capabilities, it evolved. “After obtaining permission to use the technology, we assembled a team and decided to fully embrace it. " Season one includes a total of 72 shots utilizing AI, which was a valuable learning experience for the filmmakers. “While people can create impressive images using these tools in a casual context, their professional application requires thoughtful integration of various tools, ” Erwin emphasized. For “House of David, ” the team at his indie studio Wonder Project leveraged AI tools like Midjourney for image enhancement, Magnific and Topaz for upscaling and detail enhancement, and Runway and Kling for video generation, all in conjunction with traditional software such as Unreal Engine, Nuke, Adobe Photoshop, and After Effects. Erwin noted that each AI tool possesses distinct advantages, singling out Runway's image-to-video feature. “I’m not interested in generating imagery from scratch; rather, I aim to enhance the existing assets from my show. I can start with images we’ve already created—elements we own. ” Reflecting on the “House of David” origin sequence, he stated that leveraging AI tools “enabled us to produce photorealistic visuals and narrate the story within a budget and timeline we could manage. ” Although he withheld specific budget details, he indicated that without AI, the sequence would have required filming in a desert or utilizing high-end VFX techniques, both of which would have exceeded the show's budget constraints. Timeliness was another critical factor for this sequence.

“We could conceptualize in real-time and collaborate on the content much more swiftly, allowing us to complete the scene in just a couple of weeks, ” he noted. He speculated that it might have otherwise taken “four or five months through traditional methods. ” While the origin story was a formidable project, it also offered a chance to innovate. “The sequence in episode 6 is a culmination of challenging VFX elements, ” Erwin pointed out, mentioning the need for photorealistic digital characters and complex simulations, including rain, smoke, and wind. “Creating the angel wings with real feathers alone would have been immensely time-consuming, ” he added. “Integrating so many challenging aspects in one scene was difficult. Ensuring character and environmental consistency posed a significant challenge: how to align all these shots and maintain an organic, human feel throughout the sequence. ” “I was astonished by the capability of many of these AI tools to perform physics simulations—such as water, rain, atmosphere, smoke, and wind—far more effectively than any other VFX software I’ve previously encountered. I was truly impressed with what we accomplished. ”