Utopai East is a new joint venture recently formed by Stock Farm Road (SFR) and Utopai Studios. Their mission is to transform the filmmaking process by harnessing the expertise of artificial intelligence (AI). The partnership currently has an even 50-50 ownership stake in the venture. In tandem, they propose to create the infrastructure necessary to manufacture feature films and episodic television programs using these new AI capabilities. Starting with a target of Korean content to begin with, Utopai East’s goal is to expand to other areas in Asia as well.
Stock Farm Road (SFR) is an impact investment firm co-founded by Brian Koo, grandson of the founder of the LG Group, Koo In-hwoi, and Amin Badr-El-Din. They’ll work together with Utopai Studios, an AI-focused film and television production studio founded by co-founder and CEO Ceilica Shen. They’re deeply committed to creating a robust ecosystem for co-producing film and television projects. At the same time, they aim to increase access to Korean creative content for global audiences.
The production effort will involve leveraging existing Local News Workshop infrastructure to produce the content, with the first content scheduled for release next year. A major piece of Utopai East’s infrastructure would be a purposely built data center that the city claims would facilitate the production of entertainment content. This new center will include full AI-equipped capabilities in data intelligence, creative intelligence, production and distribution.
AFTER THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD SIGNIFICANT HOPE that AI would help people stay inspired in the creative process Brian Koo .
“We want creators to understand that AI can expand their creative potential rather than compete with them. It can help bring their dreams to life, giving them the freedom to fully explore their creativity without worrying that AI will replace them. This, we believe, is going to be one of the most exciting outcomes for us,” – Brian Koo.
During our conversation, Koo was adamant that Utopai Studios is focused on filmmakers first and foremost. Their aim is not to automate everything.
“From the beginning, our focus was never on automation. Our workflow is designed to work alongside filmmakers, not in place of them. We still need writers to write, directors to direct, and actors to perform,” – Ceilica Shen.
Utopai East is solely focused on creating exponential growth in our content and intellectual property. They’re doing this by bringing AI technology into the filmmaking process.
“Typically, content and IP grow incrementally — one IP develops after another — but with the right technology, especially AI, there’s potential for exponential growth. This isn’t about AI replacing people; it’s about the massive value it can create for audiences, creators, and engineers alike,” – Brian Koo.
As one piece of those ambitious plans, Utopai East has been looking to expand to other markets, such as Japan, China and Thailand. The joint venture shoots first by focusing on Korean content. This approach gives them a key entry point into the stiff Asian entertainment landscape before building outward.
Ceilica Shen highlighted that the foundation of Utopai East is built on addressing key questions about how technology can enhance creativity.
“These questions have been at the center of everything we build at Utopai Studios,” – Ceilica Shen.
With its innovative approach and commitment to collaboration with creators, Utopai East represents a significant step forward in merging technology with traditional filmmaking practices. The collaboration gives filmmakers access to innovative tools and resources. It seeks to move The Walt Disney Company into a new age of storytelling that can entertain and inform audiences worldwide.