By: Monica Stevens
Imagine creating an entire animated movie or a video game scene with just a few lines of text. Now, extend that thought to doing it within seconds. Yes, seconds. This isn’t a peek into some distant sci-fi future; this is the reality crafted by HechicerIA, a Spanish startup, and its upcoming software, Current Anima. As the company gears up for a groundbreaking release in March 2024, I had the pleasure of chatting with Álvaro Sáez, a mastermind behind the anticipated launch.
HechicerIA might ring a bell for those following the ever-evolving world of AI, especially since they bagged the Innovation Award in AI at CES 2024. Álvaro tells me, with a twinkle of excitement in his eye, about how their flagship software, Current Anima, will revolutionize the audiovisual industry. “Direction, production, and shooting… a matter of seconds,” he declares with confidence that is both thrilling and pretty revolutionary when you think about the implications.
The premise of Current Anima is deceptively simple. It allows creators to input text or scripts, which are then translated automatically into detailed 3D scenes, complete with physical effects and sound. But what really sets Current Anima apart is its real-time editing capability. “It bridges the gaps between conception and final product, offering unparalleled flexibility in editing elements like colors, lighting, and characters at the instant of creation,” explains Álvaro.
Current Anima promises a dramatic reduction in time and resources spent in the creative process for professionals in pre-production, advertising, social media content creation, or gaming. Imagine hashing out an animated storyboard in the morning meeting and tweaking it by lunch to pitch perfectly to your client. Or crafting a 3D animation for a video game and being able to experiment with different camera angles or character voices on the fly, with no need for extensive rendering times.
Álvaro shared that significant collaborations are in the works: “We’re launching a new version on our website in March 2024, alongside tests and trials with major names in the global audiovisual and video games sector.” They aren’t shy about sharing their progress, either. Viewers can tune into their Twitch and YouTube channels, where HechicerIA will broadcast their tests, offering a tantalizing preview of the tool’s capabilities.
The buzz isn’t just in professional circles. The company’s got something special lined up for its community as well. “We’ve got a series of special content prepared for our community created with our own technology,” he reveals. The message is clear—HechicerIA isn’t just about selling you a product; it’s about fostering a community and driving the industry forward together.
By March 2024, Current Anima will open its digital doors for everyone to download and test during a free trial period. It’s not just an invitation to try out cutting-edge tech; it’s a challenge to redefine the creation process itself. “We want people to not just see what AI can do but be a hands-on part of that process,” Álvaro emphasizes.
As we wrapped up our conversation, he pointed me to HechicerIA’s social media channels. Engaging with the company online doesn’t only offer a glimpse into its innovative spirit—it essentially serves as a front-row seat to the future of content creation.
Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter will undoubtedly play a role in their community outreach and marketing. However, the professional network where interested parties can connect is perhaps just as important: LinkedIn. Through these various channels, HechicerIA is casting a wide net to captivate aspiring artists, game designers, filmmakers, and tech enthusiasts.
As the interview concludes, it’s clear that Álvaro Sáez and HechicerIA are not just on to something new—they’re on the precipice of changing the storytelling game as we know it. And as this tool becomes publicly available, we could all have a hand in crafting worlds and tales in ways never before imagined, one line of text at a time.
