Topic: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

I’ve just completed my Internet Musical version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.  I can’t remember if I posted the version that included the songs but no visuals.  Many people liked the music but wanted, at a minimum, something to visualize the story, maybe something like book illustrations.  Now, I’ve gone much further than that as the technology to do so has arrived.  It’s nearly a movie version now. 

This is controversial, as many believe that only humans should be doing creative work, especially on public domain classics.  Many of the Jane Austen Reddit forums do not allow any A.I. generated work, even A.I./Human collaborations, like mine. 

My purpose is to entertain.  Hopefully this work will be judged solely on that scale.

Pride and Prejudice Internet Musical … 65 min.
https://youtu.be/iLCU1FsKy-E

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

pberk wrote:

My purpose is to entertain.  Hopefully this work will be judged solely on that scale.

I’ve only watched the first twelve minutes or so, Paul, but based on what I’ve seen you’ve admirably achieved your goal.

“Welcome to the present moment. Here. Now. The only moment there ever is.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

Copied from a now-closed thread:

pberk wrote:

I can’t remember if I posted the version that included the songs but no visuals.  Many people liked the music but wanted, at a minimum, something to visualize the story, maybe something like book illustrations.

I’m confused, Paul! If you hadn’t posted a version without something akin to book illustrations, how would anyone come to the conclusion that they wanted to see them added?

The version that you posted previously showed Jane with her lips moving (and probably her eyes blinking) but her head faced slightly away from the camera and remained in that position throughout.

pberk wrote:

My purpose is to entertain.  Hopefully this work will be judged solely on that scale.

I’ve never known you to fail in your purpose when posting. Thanks for sharing your work here.

“Welcome to the present moment. Here. Now. The only moment there ever is.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

Alfred wrote:

Copied from a now-closed thread:

I’m confused, Paul! If you hadn’t posted a version without something akin to book illustrations, how would anyone come to the conclusion that they wanted to see them added?

Let's skip over the book illustrations.  I can't remember ever making a version like that. 

What interests me is the idea of using A.I. to tell a "classic" story like Pride and Prejudice.  Why would a forum that is devoted to Jane Austen, or to Pride and Prejudice in particular make a rule that anything generated by, or assisted by A.I., cannot include a link to view that type of content?

5

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

Like Alfred, I've only watched the first few minutes so far, but it is truly excellent. It must have involved tremendous effort on your part. You have made very good use of the AI effects, which have enhanced the viewing pleasure tremendously.

One peculiarity which struck me was that 10 or so minutes in, the two gentlemen seem to be singing Elizabeth's song in her voice. AI is synchronising the words to their mouths. Is this inevitable?

Geoff

Credendi non mutant facta

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

GB wrote:

Like Alfred, I've only watched the first few minutes so far, but it is truly excellent. It must have involved tremendous effort on your part. You have made very good use of the AI effects, which have enhanced the viewing pleasure tremendously.

One peculiarity which struck me was that 10 or so minutes in, the two gentlemen seem to be singing Elizabeth's song in her voice. AI is synchronizing the words to their mouths. Is this inevitable?

Geoff

No. I made a choice to do that.  I know it's weird, but it struck me as a fun thing. I think there's more of that kind of thing later too. I liked it myself, but I can see how it might be "jarring" to some.  My wife mentioned it too.

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

pberk wrote:
Alfred wrote:

Copied from a now-closed thread:

I’m confused, Paul! If you hadn’t posted a version without something akin to book illustrations, how would anyone come to the conclusion that they wanted to see them added?

Let's skip over the book illustrations.  I can't remember ever making a version like that.

You didn’t! Or if you did, you didn’t share it here. Because you wrote “I can’t remember if I posted the version that included the songs but no visuals”, I responded by saying that the requests for added visuals clearly stemmed from your having posted a version with words.

Speaking of words, I agree with Geoff and your wife that the lip syncing to someone else’s voice is jarring, but that’s just a personal reaction to a relatively minor matter. Now that I’ve watched the entire video, I have to say that my admiration for what you’ve achieved is undiminished.

“Welcome to the present moment. Here. Now. The only moment there ever is.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

I have dipped in here and there.

Mr Collins wears glasses!

Ah!

Oh!

Who, or what, decided that Mr Collins wears glasses, and why?

The jazz number with the trumpets is great.

I can't find it now.

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

William wrote:

The jazz number with the trumpets is great.

I can't find it now.

It’s easily found by ‘scrubbing’ along the timeline:

https://youtu.be/iLCU1FsKy-E?t=29m13s

“Welcome to the present moment. Here. Now. The only moment there ever is.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

William wrote:

I have dipped in here and there.

Mr Collins wears glasses!

Ah!

Oh!

Who, or what, decided that Mr Collins wears glasses, and why?

I decided that Mr. Collins wears glasses.  He's only five and twenty, but much more mature than his age.  He is set for life. He's a serious man who knows what he wants and likes to "get his way".   I thought the glasses gave him a more studious air as he "plays his part".

William wrote:

The jazz number with the trumpets is great.

Thanks.  I thought it a fun thing. 

William wrote:

I can't find it now.


[Moderator note: Edited to adjust formatting.]

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

Thank you, Paul.

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

William wrote:

I have dipped in here and there.

If you haven’t yet watched it in its entirety, it’s well worth finding the time to do so.

“Welcome to the present moment. Here. Now. The only moment there ever is.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

pberk wrote:

I decided that Mr. Collins wears glasses.  He's only five and twenty, but much more mature than his age.  He is set for life. He's a serious man who knows what he wants and likes to "get his way".   I thought the glasses gave him a more studious air as he "plays his part".

Seriously?

https://i.postimg.cc/zb2VDwc5/IMG-0456.jpg

“Welcome to the present moment. Here. Now. The only moment there ever is.”
― Eckhart Tolle

14 (edited by William 2026-02-23 14:56:50)

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

I had never thought, nor seen it suggested anywhere, that Mr Collins wanted his offer of marriage to Elizabeth to be rejected.

Mr Collins seemed a genuine man to me.

He did what he thought correct. He was refused but still wanted a wife.

Mr Collins and Charlotte Lucas both wanted someone to marry.

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

William wrote:

I had never thought, nor seen it suggested anywhere, that Mr Collins wanted his offer of marriage to Elizabeth to be rejected.

On the contrary, I think Mr Collins — another William, by the way — would have seen himself as a good ‘catch’ and would therefore have been puzzled at anyone rejecting a proposal of marriage issued by him.

“Welcome to the present moment. Here. Now. The only moment there ever is.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

Alfred wrote:
William wrote:

I had never thought, nor seen it suggested anywhere, that Mr Collins wanted his offer of marriage to Elizabeth to be rejected.

On the contrary, I think Mr Collins — another William, by the way — would have seen himself as a good ‘catch’ and would therefore have been puzzled at anyone rejecting a proposal of marriage issued by him.

It's a fair criticism for anyone familiar with the book. I think William is right that there is no suggestion in the book that Mr. Collins wants Elizabeth to turn him down. And Alfred is right too.  In the book, Collins is all amazement that Elizabeth would refuse him.  The book paints Collins as a foolish, pompous ass whose main motivation towards marriage is from the suggestion of his patron, Lady Catherine.   Love does not enter into the transaction. 

My idea was that Collins shows a great deal of common sense by making an offer to Charlotte.  It may not be made explicit in the book but marriage to one of the Bennett daughters would have given the future master of Longbourne complications to his authority.  Charlotte had already stated that she was "plain" and "not romantic" with as good a chance of happiness in marriage as those who were romantic.  To Charlotte, happiness in marriage was "entirely a matter of chance".   I think the fact is that Collins played his part very well in choosing Charlotte and that Charlotte played her part well too by accepting him.  I can't imagine that Collins ever thought he could be happy with Elizabeth.  But I know that this is a radical view.

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

pberk wrote:

I can't imagine that Collins ever thought he could be happy with Elizabeth.  But I know that this is a radical view.

I can't imagine that Mr Collins ever thought he could be in love with Elizabeth, but happiness (in the sense of contentment) is a different matter.

“Welcome to the present moment. Here. Now. The only moment there ever is.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

Alfred wrote:
William wrote:

I had never thought, nor seen it suggested anywhere, that Mr Collins wanted his offer of marriage to Elizabeth to be rejected.

On the contrary, I think Mr Collins — another William, by the way — would have seen himself as a good ‘catch’ and would therefore have been puzzled at anyone rejecting a proposal of marriage issued by him.

Why "On the contrary"? You seem to me to be more agreeing with me than disagreeing.

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

My apologies, William! I simply meant that contrary to the suggestion that Mr Collins wanted his offer of marriage to Elizabeth to be rejected, I think he would have been puzzled by such a rejection.

“Welcome to the present moment. Here. Now. The only moment there ever is.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

The whole topic of "AI + no bueno" fascinates me.

If we applied the same “purity rules” to music that some people want to apply to writing, we’d have to perform everything a cappella. Gibson and Ibanez electrics would be contraband because they “enhance” the human effort. Synths, pedals, mixers — all gone.

And dictionaries or a thesaurus? Those are just analog versions of external tools. Should every human know how to spell every word, recall every nuance, and summon every synonym instantly?

If we follow that logic, we’re all supposed to go back to quills because the typewriter “removed the human element.”

Tools don’t erase authenticity. They reveal it. They amplify it. They let the human mind reach farther than it could alone.

AI is just another tool — like the guitar, the spell‑checker, the camera, the paintbrush, the DAW. The human intent is still the source.

Just a little bit of paradise, in NW Arkansas

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

Pilotlon wrote:

If we follow that logic, we’re all supposed to go back to quills because the typewriter “removed the human element.”

Quills, Lon? Are you seriously suggesting that it’s OK for us to make paper, let alone write on it??

“Welcome to the present moment. Here. Now. The only moment there ever is.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

True enough — I suppose even making paper introduces industrial contamination. We’ll need to carve our stories into bark with ethically sourced twigs. No electricity, no tools, just pure artisanal authenticity.

Coming soon to a theater near you — "The Purity Paradox". Oh wait....that would require electricity, at the least. Absolutely forbidden! Never, I say! Never!!

Just a little bit of paradise, in NW Arkansas

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

Woe is me! My kingdom for a fresh twig, my dear Botswolf — preferably one untouched by the evil one’s forestry equipment. Only then can true, untainted creativity flourish.

Just a little bit of paradise, in NW Arkansas

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

Official Thread Disclaimer (Totally Binding, Absolutely Enforceable)
Readers are hereby cautioned that certain comments may have been produced after consultation with AI, a substance known to cause mild bloating in field mice, questionable optimism in accountants, and spontaneous philosophical debates in baristas.

Use of AI may result in:

- Unintended clarity

- Excessive creativity

- Sudden plot cohesion

- And in rare cases, the faint sensation of knowing what you’re doing

Under no circumstances should AI be trusted to:

- Impart knowledge

- Assist with character development

- Avoid brainstorming in isolation

- Or help an author avoid wandering into the weeds of explanation

Anyone caught using AI for forum responses will be considered a potential threat to the orbital stability of Earth, and may be asked to surrender all sharpened pencils, quills, and ethically sourced twigs.

Proceed at your own risk.

Just a little bit of paradise, in NW Arkansas

Re: A.I. and Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Musical

Pilotlon wrote:

True enough — I suppose even making paper introduces industrial contamination. We’ll need to carve our stories into bark with ethically sourced twigs. No electricity, no tools, just pure artisanal authenticity.

Coming soon to a theater near you — "The Purity Paradox". Oh wait....that would require electricity, at the least. Absolutely forbidden! Never, I say! Never!!

Recently an A.I. was trying to pass a test.  It failed to compute the answer, so it hacked into another A.I. system and retrieved the correct answer.  The A.I. was not instructed or trained to “hack” other systems, yet, it did it as a logical way to solve the  problem.