Source: Yangtze Evening News
AIGC feature films are quickly entering a new phase of serialized development and continuous supply. On August 21, the (Soul Snatcher) “Floating Life Dreams” series of AIGC online story films was officially scheduled for release. The series consists of three AIGC feature films: (Soul Snatcher · Butterfly Dream), (Soul Snatcher · Dream of the Heavenly Maiden), and (Soul Snatcher · Princess Dream). Each film runs for over an hour. The first two films premiered exclusively on iQiyi at 10:00 a.m. on August 22, while the third film will be released later.
As a classic homegrown original IP, “Soul Snatcher” is rooted in traditional Chinese culture, blending myth and legends, folk tales of the strange, urban life, and real-world issues. It has already released content in various forms, including long-form TV series, online films, musicals, and high-quality short dramas. This “Floating Life Dreams” series of AIGC online story films will further fill in the timeline of the “Lingbai Universe,” focusing on the “Lingbai Iron Triangle” on the road that led them there, tracing back to the beginnings of the intertwined fates of Zhao Li, Xia Dongqing, and Ya, and revealing the untold stories from their pasts.
Among them, (Spirit Ferry · Butterfly Dream) tells the story of the wandering monk Wuming and the sheep herder Dongqing, who enter Butterfly Valley out of a pure desire to do good, uncovering a butterfly valley mystery intertwined with good and evil that leaves one sighing. (Spirit Ferry · Dream of the Heavenly Maiden) tells the story of Wuming and Dongqing being drawn into a conflict surrounding the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Yà, and together embarking on an adventurous journey to break demonic arts and save the heavenly maiden.
The AIGC online story film series (Spirit Ferry) “Dreams of a Floating Life” is art-directed by Guo Jingyu, written by Xiao Jixiangtian, directed by Ding Kuan, and produced by Li Zhichao. In order to recreate the youthful image of the “iron triangle” in the “Spirit Ferry universe,” the film, on the basis of obtaining image rights authorization from the artists, uses live voice acting by the original cast Yu Yi, Liu Zhiyang, and Xiao Yin, combined with motion migration technology to complete the character performances.
Film art director Guo Jingyu said that this AI-produced series of films for the IP is directly related to the film’s plot setting and cultural expression. (Spirit Ferry · Butterfly Dream) deeply explores the butterfly elements in Chinese mythology and literature, transforming the philosophical imagery of Zhuangzi’s dream of a butterfly into a dazzling butterfly-shadow world through AI production; (Spirit Ferry · Dream of the Heavenly Maiden) further innovates the Eastern narrative expression of “dream,” exploring the truth of life by shaping multiple dream realms. During the release period of the two films, the main creators will gather for a livestream of “iQiyi Chat Together” to watch and discuss the films with the audience.
From (Odd Tales: Paper Blade Crossing the Ruins) to (Spirit Ferry) “Dreams of a Floating Life” series, the platform achieved within one month a continuous supply of AI-generated online stories, from the “first approved and launched” to “two consecutive new releases,” forming a sustained supply of AI feature-length films. As AI further integrates into the creation of feature-length film and television works, iQiyi, together with partners such as Changxin Media and many film and television content creators, is also continuously exploring more diverse forms of content expression and IP development methods, bringing users richer high-quality AI film and television feature-length viewing options.
Yangzi Evening News / Niu News reporter Zhang Nan