Special effects artist, Hakeem Onilogbo, popularly known as Hakeem Effects, has said artificial intelligence cannot replace the skills of practitioners who create physical effects for film productions.
Speaking in an interview with The Punch on Saturday, Onilogbo said AI should be viewed as a technology that could support and enhance the work of special effects artists rather than as a threat to their profession.
He noted that although AI could produce effects such as explosions within seconds and at relatively low cost, excessive reliance on the technology could discourage young practitioners from acquiring the technical skills needed to create practical effects.
According to him, physical effects performed on set could also help actors deliver more convincing performances because they were able to respond to events taking place physically around them.
He explained that an actor who witnessed a real explosion on set would naturally react differently from one instructed to imagine an explosion that was only added later through visual effects.
He added that such tangible elements could improve the realism of a film.
Onilogbo advised special effects practitioners to embrace AI and incorporate it into their creative processes, particularly during pre-production.
He said the technology could assist with brainstorming, mood boards and the development of character concepts.
He said, “I used AI to generate ideas, such as different scar designs for a tribal warrior, before applying professional skills to develop the final effect.”
The special effects artist further noted that AI could not eliminate the need for hands-on expertise, especially in areas such as prosthetics, where practitioners must physically work with actors to achieve the desired results.
He stressed that practical special effects and visual effects should work together rather than compete, saying their combination could produce more elaborate and realistic results in film productions.
Onilogbo, however, identified inadequate technical infrastructure and a shortage of skilled personnel as some of the challenges facing Nollywood in adopting AI and advanced visual effects.
He said Nigerian special effects practitioners had developed strong improvisation skills, but added that effective use of emerging technologies would require proper training and access to suitable equipment.
To improve the situation, he called for industry-wide standards requiring filmmakers to disclose the use of AI-generated characters, faces and major visual effects in film credits.
He also advocated training and certification programmes for practitioners.
Onilogbo further urged stronger intellectual property protection for actors and artists whose likenesses or creative works could be reproduced using AI.
He said, “AI is not our enemy; ignorance is the enemy.”
