Netflix has acquired interactiveAn AI film production startup secretly founded by Ben Affleck in 2022. The company had been operating quietly for years before emerging publicly through this acquisition.
The deal gives Netflix exclusive access to Interpositive’s technology, which is focused on improving film post-production workflows rather than creating 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 signals.
Instead, the system analyzes actual footage from a production and helps filmmakers fine-tune 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 help with the following:
- Live scenes filmed in poor lighting conditions
- Changing background without breaking visual consistency
- Removal of 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 consistent visual style during post-production.
Interpositive is designed to support filmmakers, not replace them
Affleck emphasized that the technology is designed to assist filmmakers, not automate their creative tasks. In a statement accompanying the announcement, he explained that the goal was to preserve the human judgment involved in filmmaking.
Affleck said, “AI, people mostly think of it as creating something from nothing. It’s not that.”
Rather than creating movies automatically, the tool aims to solve technical challenges that often require extensive manual work in editing and visual effects.
Netflix acquires exclusive production technology
Netflix confirmed that the entire 16-person Interpositive team will be joining 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 own 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 questions about industry governance in Hollywood
The acquisition comes at a sensitive moment in Hollywood. Film and television unions are preparing for a new round of contract negotiations, and the use of AI in production remains one of the most controversial issues following the 2023 Hollywood strikes.
While Interpositive does not generate actors or scripts, its tools can 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 clear as negotiations between studios and unions proceed.
