From Viral Memes to the Big Screen: New Documentary “Spaghetti” Explores the AI Video Revolution
Remember the infamous 2023 video of Will Smith eating spaghetti? It was glitchy, grotesque, and undeniably uncanny. That viral clip became the face of early artificial intelligence video generation. Fast forward to today, and the technology has leaped from internet oddity to IMAX-worthy cinema.
Student filmmaker Peyton Glass chronicles this rapid shift in the new short documentary, “Spaghetti.” Set to premiere Friday, December 12th, the 12-minute film offers a comprehensive look at how AI is disrupting creative industries. It moves beyond the hype to examine the mechanics, ethics, and future of modern filmmaking, featuring exclusive insights from industry pioneer Tony Savo.
Tracking the Technological Shift
Glass uses the viral Will Smith clip as a thematic anchor. “Spaghetti” weaves a narrative that takes viewers from those early experiments to the hyper-realistic content now flooding social media. The film addresses the anxiety surrounding this technology while highlighting the potential for growth.
“I hope that anyone who watches my film—whether they live inside the industry or far outside it—sees that AI isn’t the enemy,” Glass says. “It is a tool that can spark innovation, elevate human creativity, and remind us what we’re capable of when we build with intention.”
Expert Insights: Tony Savo on the Future of Film
A centerpiece of the documentary is an exclusive interview with Tony Savo, an award-winning futurist and filmmaker. Savo is widely regarded as a leader in this emerging medium. His sci-fi epic, Shape of Things to Come, made history as the first AI-generated film to premiere in IMAX.
Savo brings a professional, cinephile perspective to the documentary. He details his "hybrid workflow," where he writes "proof of concept" pilots using traditional methods. He then uses AI video generators strictly to visualize and enhance the authentic, human-based story.
Savo’s recent accolades validate the potential of this hybrid approach:
- Best Director Animated Film at the 2025 Sactown Movie Buffs Film Festival.
- Best AI Film by the Hollywood Stage Script Film Competition.
- Best Mobile Film at the Seoul International Short Film Festival 2025.
Currently, Shape of Things to Come is screening in Japan as an official selection of the 2025 Tokyo International Short Film Festival.
Breaking Ground in Advertising
Beyond cinema, the documentary touches on the commercial viability of these tools. Savo’s Sacramento-based tech brand, 'Sactown Famous,' recently made history by launching the first fully AI-generated advertisement on Paramount+, the world's largest streaming TV provider.
Savo praises Glass for creating an “incredibly balanced look” at the challenges filmmakers face regarding AI disruption.
“I was honored to be a part of this project and recommend it to not just filmmakers and creatives but to anyone interested in learning more about AI in film and media,” says Savo.
Sacramento: A Rising Tech Hub
The film also highlights the growing tech scene in California’s capital.
“The fact that Peyton is also from the Sacramento area only cements the notion that the River City is on the rise in technology terms and quickly establishing itself as a leader in AI innovation,” Savo notes.
Why You Should Watch
“Spaghetti” is essential viewing for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and culture. It strips away the mystery of generative video and proves that AI in cinema is no longer just a gimmick—it is a powerful storytelling instrument.
Premiere Details
Catch the world premiere of this insightful documentary.
- Date: Friday, December 12th
- Time: 8:00 PM PST
- Platform: Peyton Glass YouTube Channel
Interested in the future of media? Mark your calendar for the premiere to see how pioneers like Tony Savo are reshaping the stories we tell.
