Netflix has acquired InterPositive, an AI filmmaking tools start-up founded by Ben Affleck, in a deal that could be worth up to $600 million. The acquisition, announced on March 5, includes the entire 16-person team of engineers, researchers and creatives, with Affleck taking on a role as senior adviser to Netflix.
According to Bloomberg, the $600 million figure is contingent on InterPositive meeting certain performance targets, with the upfront payment being lower. The start-up, based in Los Angeles, had been operating in stealth mode since its founding in 2022, with Affleck as the only publicly known investor.
InterPositive's technology builds an AI model from a production's dailies, allowing filmmakers to use it in post-production for tasks such as mixing, colour grading, relighting shots, and adding visual effects. Netflix plans to offer the technology to its creative partners but not sell it commercially.
Bela Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer, said the technology would give partners 'more choices, more control and more protection for their vision.' Affleck expressed his enthusiasm for the deal, stating he looked forward to providing the broader creative community with access to the tools developed.
