23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Orson Welles is back thanks to AI
FORTY years after his death, Orson Welles is still telling stories.
Thanks to artificial intelligence, the legendary voice of the director of 'Citizen Kane' will be heard in a new project, this time as a digital tour guide.
Open the app, select a point on the map and listen.
Are you standing in a dingy Hollywood alleyway? Or on Broadway in the heart of New York City?
Every location becomes an opportunity to discover the behind-the-scenes history of cinema and TV series from a new perspective.
In a bold initiative, the StoryRabbit app now offers its users the chance to discover this world through the voice of Welles, one of the most iconic directors in the history of cinema.
"No matter where you are, Welles peels back the curtain on the hidden architecture of film, television, history and culture that surrounds you.
"What may look ordinary is, in his telling, anything but," reads the press release unveiled by Podnews.
Launched by Treefort Media, in collaboration with 'Orson Welles Presents' is now available on the app for iOS and Android starting at US$4.99 per month.
StoryRabbit uses geolocation to enable travellers to hear contextualised audio stories narrated by famous voices, including, now, Welles, recreated with uncanny accuracy from voice archives, with the permission of his estate.
Unlike other AI-based experiences, each script is written, checked and approved by a team of people.
"All narratives are human-curated, authentic and responsibly produced," promises Treefort Media, which emphasises its "ethical" approach to AI.
"Orson was a relentless innovator, who worked effortlessly across multiple platforms during his long and storied career, so bringing his voice into this new medium feels like a continuation of that legacy," said David Reeder, of Reeder Brand Management, the agency for the Orson Welles Estate.
Kelly Garner, founder and chief executive officer of Treefort Media and creator of StoryRabbit, said: "Integrating Orson Welles' voice gives our storytelling unparalleled resonance.
Having the opportunity to work with a voice of this caliber is extraordinary.
"His timeless perspective offers users a unique lens – simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking – to discover the world as it speaks, revealing incredible true stories."
In addition to Welles, StoryRabbit also features the voice of Dominic Monaghan, the British-Irish actor known for his roles in 'The Lord Of The Rings' trilogy and the TV series 'Lost'.
