Netflix has acquired InterPositive, an AI filmmaking startup secretly founded by Ben Affleck in 2022. The company had been operating quietly for years before finally emerging publicly through this acquisition.
The deal gives Netflix exclusive access to InterPositive’s technology, which focuses on improving film post-production workflows rather than generating videos from text prompts.
What InterPositive’s AI Actually Does
Unlike many generative AI tools in the film industry, InterPositive does not create scenes or actors from prompts.
Instead, the system analyzes a production’s real footage and helps filmmakers fix or enhance shots. The AI model was trained on a proprietary dataset filmed on a controlled soundstage designed to mimic real production environments.
According to Netflix and Affleck, the technology can assist with tasks such as:
- Relighting scenes filmed under poor lighting conditions
- Replacing backgrounds without breaking visual consistency
- Removing visible stunt rigging or production equipment
- Recovering missed shots using existing footage
The system focuses on understanding shot composition, lighting, and editing continuity, helping directors maintain a coherent visual style during post-production.
InterPositive Is Built to Support Filmmakers, Not Replace Them
Affleck emphasized that the technology is designed to assist filmmakers, not automate their creative work. In a statement accompanying the announcement, he explained that the goal was to preserve the human judgment involved in filmmaking.
“AI, people mostly think of it as making something from nothing. That’s not what this is,” Affleck said.
Instead of generating movies automatically, the tools aim to solve technical challenges that often require extensive manual work in editing and visual effects.
Netflix Gains Exclusive Production Technology
Netflix confirmed that the entire 16-person InterPositive team will join the company.
The tools will be made available to filmmakers working with Netflix but will not be sold commercially, giving the streaming platform exclusive access to the technology for its productions.
The acquisition also deepens Netflix’s relationship with Affleck and his production company Artists Equity, which already has projects on the platform.
Timing Of Acquisition Raises Industry Questions In Holywood
The acquisition arrives at a sensitive moment in Hollywood. Film and television unions are preparing for a new round of contract negotiations, and AI use in production remains one of the most controversial issues following the 2023 Hollywood strikes.
While InterPositive does not generate actors or scripts, its tools could potentially speed up tasks traditionally handled by visual-effects and post-production teams.
Whether the industry ultimately views the technology as a creative aid or a job-disrupting tool may become clearer as negotiations between studios and unions move forward.
