Matthews, Justin RobertNairn, Angelique2025-02-052025-02-0525/11/2024M/C Journal, ISSN: 1441-2616 (Print); 1441-2616 (Online), Queensland University of Technology, 27(6). doi: 10.5204/mcj.31181441-26161441-2616http://hdl.handle.net/10292/18600Imagine a movie production where leading actors are not bound by human limitations, and digital entities render every emotion, movement, and line with breathtaking precision. This is no longer a conceptual idea but is becoming more possible with the increased integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into screen production activities. Essentially, we are at the dawn of the Actotron era. These advanced virtual actors, equipped with artificial intelligence, could transform not just how movies are made, but who makes them and what stories they tell. The Actotron promises to redefine the creative landscape, challenging our perceptions of artistry and authenticity in the digital age. The potential of the Actotron marks a milestone at the intersection of artificial intelligence, performance, and technology. This virtual human represents both a technological leap and a cultural shift that may revolutionise entertainment globally. Synthesising advancements in AI, motion capture, and voice synthesis, the Actotron enables autonomous performance, raising questions about creativity, copyright law, and the ethics of digital personalities. The capability for real-time learning and interaction pushes boundaries beyond CGI and deepfakes. Driven by AI algorithms and real-time graphics, the Actotron simulates nuanced human emotions, allowing dynamic interaction with human actors in media. Using future studies, we consider the potential emergence of the Actotron as the next step in digital actors and the place of artificial intelligence in the screen production industry.Copyright (c) 2024 Justin Robert Matthews, Angelique. Creative Commons License. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/36 Creative Arts and Writing3605 Screen and Digital MediaMachine Learning and Artificial IntelligenceGeneric health relevance1902 Film, Television and Digital Media2001 Communication and Media Studies2002 Cultural Studies3605 Screen and digital media4701 Communication and media studies4702 Cultural studiesJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.5204/mcj.3118