The Benefits and Challenges Artificial Intelligence Brings To All Stages of the Filmmaking Process
Photo Credits: By Geralt via Pixabay
Joaquin Phoenix was in a movie about something that is becoming widespread in society. No, not Joker 2. It’s the 2013 movie Her, in which Joaquin falls in love with an artificial intelligence chatbot.
More people are now engaging with chatbots on their phones, and it seems like the film industry has fallen in love with artificial intelligence itself.
AI is no longer confined to the realm of science fiction. It’s woven into the fabric of our daily lives, from personal assistants such as Siri and Alexa to online shopping suggestions. Now, AI is taking the film industry by storm, revolutionizing everything from script development to post-production, and even predicting a movie's success before it hits the box office.
The filmmaking industry is riding the AI wave, and it’s more than just cool tech tricks. AI is rapidly reshaping how movies are made, with tools that generate scripts, streamline editing, and enhance visual effects. One of AI's most exciting applications is its ability to predict audience reactions before a film is even released. Studios now use AI-driven data to make smarter decisions about which movies will resonate with viewers—saving time, money, and heartache.
By analyzing storytelling elements and predicting marketability, AI helps studios decide which scripts to greenlight and which characters to champion. It’s not meant to replace human creativity. Ideally, it should be more like a smart collaborator—highlighting potential plot holes or inconsistencies that might have been missed, allowing writers to fine-tune their craft.
Beyond screenwriting, AI is also shaking up visual effects (VFX). With AI-powered video editing, what once took weeks can now be completed in mere hours, freeing up filmmakers to focus on the art rather than the grind.
PROS, CONS, AND GREY AREAS
AI in filmmaking brings undeniable benefits. For one, it can speed up post-production by automating tasks such as editing and color correction. In casting, AI suggests actors based on specific traits, accelerating the talent discovery process. Indie filmmakers can also access high-quality visual effects without the Hollywood price tag.
AI can analyze data and tell you if a company will like your pitch. It’s not perfect; some sleeper hits, which might not seem profitable at first glance, could be overlooked by AI predictions. However, it can be more accurate than what your friends or industry executives might tell you, since the process is more objective and there are no emotions involved. After that, AI could help you craft the pitch. And, once your movie gets made, AI can help further by dubbing it into different languages for the international market and planning a theatrical release strategy.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. The rise of AI raises concerns about job security for many people involved in the industry. Will AI eventually replace them? Some worry that AI, while efficient, lacks the originality and emotional depth that only humans can bring to storytelling. Additionally, algorithms could perpetuate stereotypes or miss hidden gems—for instance, breakout stars who defy traditional casting molds.
BEST PRACTICES
When using AI, be specific with your prompts. Vague inputs lead to vague results, so clarity is key to getting useful outputs.
Want to tap into AI’s power while staying true to your artistic vision? Start small. Use AI tools in pre-production to storyboard or scout locations. Platforms like Cinelytic provide data-driven insights for casting and budgeting, while Runway and other tools simplify VFX for smaller productions.
But remember, think of AI as an assistant, not a replacement for creativity. Your personal touch is what elevates AI-generated ideas into something uniquely yours. Filmmakers should always stay ethical, respecting the rights of writers, actors, and creators while using AI. Always disclose when you use AI and, if necessary, fact-check its output for accuracy.
A FEW TOOLS
When it comes to tools, there are so many that are available and evolving. For screenwriters, AI tools like Jasper.AI assist in generating ideas, while StoryFit helps evaluate audience connections with characters and narratives. For filmmakers, platforms such as Cinelytic provide data-driven insights for budgeting or casting.
AI has, of course, transformed visual effects and pre-production, and Runway makes VFX attainable even for smaller budgets, while Stable Diffusion creates realistic environments and characters. AI-based VFX are not yet ready to fully replace traditional computer-generated imagery (CGI) or human labor, and occasionally you could get some very cheesy results. However, specific uses such as AI-generated explosions can drastically cut production costs and time, allowing filmmakers to create visually stunning scenes without the risk and expense.
Adobe Premiere Pro and Izotope Neutron are, respectively, great for video editing and sound mixing. Actors, who are often hesitant to engage with AI, can also benefit from tools such as Slatable to create self-tapes or Descript to edit demo reels.
THE THREAT TO JOBS
The fear that AI will take over creative jobs is not without merit. Actors are particularly worried about deepfakes and synthetic voices, which could be used to replace their performances. However, AI is far from flawless, and physical actors still play a critical role in guiding AI-enhanced performances. While AI can make actors look younger or different, it still needs human talent to breathe life into these creations.
What once took VFX artists hours can now be accomplished in a fraction of the time, but these are relatively early days. If a filmmaker has a very specific vision in mind, it’s practically impossible to achieve it solely through generative AI. AI should augment, not replace, human creativity and skill.
Keep in mind that although conversations usually focus on how AI could potentially harm those in creative professions such as acting, writing, VFX, and animation, this technology is coming for executive and development jobs as well. AI can be used for script coverage, as well as analytics of strategy and value, not to mention marketing. But, again, at this time it still largely functions as a supplemental tool, not a replacement.
To ease anxiety around AI, policy actions can and should be taken. Besides the potential loss of jobs, there’s an environmental consideration that is often overlooked—the vast amount of energy that AI-generated tools consume. Because of these two main reasons, individual companies and international governments can consider creating regulations.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Hopefully, regulation will come sooner rather than later. We are headed toward a future where successful feature films entirely generated by AI could be a possibility. In the meantime, hypertailored experiences are emerging as a new frontier. The recommendation systems used by streaming platforms already analyze data to provide customized viewing experiences, but this could take things to the next level. While viewers might be delighted with the content they are provided, AI could potentially narrow their exposure to varied types of content. It could eliminate the fun of discovering random films you might love despite being different than what you normally watch.
The industry will have to navigate carefully as AI takes a leading role in film’s future. In the end, AI is here to stay, offering filmmakers incredible tools while raising important questions about the balance between tech and human artistry and skill. We’re at the dawn of a new era—one where AI plays an essential role, but the heart of filmmaking remains undeniably human.
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