How do you balance AI automation with artistic control in filmmaking?

I have used ai to handle assistant level tasks, LLMs make handy clean up editors and idea collection easy, Creating images for Backgrounds, and Video string outs for example. Its a tool with wide ranging applications but quite rudimentary still. Over time it will be refined and more effective. Aside from this it will dramatically change the workflow and may cause job losses, which is frustrating. But like most transformative technological advances it could end up creating more jobs in the future. The industrial revolution for instance, the new machines all needed to be operated by armies of people. Still to be seen how this plays out, History does not repeat itself... it rhymes.

Balancing AI automation with artistic control in filmmaking requires using AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human creativity. Filmmakers should leverage AI for tasks like editing, idea generation, and audience analysis to enhance efficiency while retaining oversight on major creative decisions. Integrating AI seamlessly into workflows, maintaining high aesthetic standards, and investing in training ensures that technology enhances rather than diminishes artistic vision. Ethical considerations and continuous experimentation with AI can further refine its role, allowing filmmakers to innovate while keeping their unique creative voice at the forefront.

I use AI tools sparingly, human control and oversight is important. It’s a helpful tool, but if you find the process tedious I would suggest a different line of work. Nothing can replace a skilled human editor.

Think of AI as your sparring partner—use it to draft initial ideas and start a conversation. Iterate with AI until you have a solid foundation, then take a step back and rely on your own creativity for a while. It's crucial to pause and reflect without AI's input periodically to ensure the human touch remains at the heart of your story.

In my experience, I've found it really useful to use AI as a virtual writing partner - someone/something I can bounce ideas off of without feeling any need to accommodate its opinions. All the core ideas are my own, and I exercise my taste and judgement in using what I like, but the AI helps to nudge my thought process down unexpected/interesting directions. I usually find the AI's suggestions to work well structurally but not emotionally/artistically - that's where my unique points of view come in. I find that I don't directly use what the AI comes up with, but use as a base for exploring my own interpretations. It's also very useful for research purposes, and really speeds up finding references for instance.

Furthermore, employ AI tools to streamline the research phase, such as analyzing successful film scripts for structural patterns or audience reception. For instance, using AI to identify common themes in popular films can inform your writing process without dictating it. This allows you to focus on crafting authentic characters and emotionally resonant plots while leveraging AI's analytical capabilities to enhance your narrative's appeal. Balancing AI assistance with your creative intuition ensures a compelling and unique script that genuinely engages audiences.

I’ve built my own AI agents to assist with dialogues, plot points, and structure, treating AI as a sparring partner to draft initial ideas and start conversations. While these agents are invaluable for short formats, I’ve found that for feature films, the quality of AI’s dramaturgical assessment doesn’t yet match the nuanced insights of a seasoned lecturer.

Additionally, utilize AI for pre-visualization tools that can create detailed storyboards and shot lists based on your script. For example, AI-driven software can simulate different lighting conditions and camera angles, helping you plan scenes more efficiently. This preparation frees you to concentrate on directing actors and refining the emotional nuances of each scene. By leveraging AI for logistical support while trusting your creative instincts, you ensure that your artistic vision remains the guiding force in the filmmaking process.

On set, I can only direct leaving my laptop aside. The emotional tone of a scene and the subtle direction of actors are nuances that AI cannot grasp. In preparations, I might ask AI some questions about character development, but I keep the results to myself.

Furthermore, employ AI for tasks such as audio enhancement and automated color correction to maintain a consistent tone throughout your project. For example, AI can match the color grade across different scenes, ensuring visual coherence. However, always review and adjust these AI-driven changes to align with your artistic intent. By integrating AI for efficiency while retaining creative oversight, you can streamline post-production without compromising the unique vision and emotional impact of your film.

AI can significantly enhance post-production by automating and optimizing various tasks. It can streamline the editing process by identifying the best takes, suggesting cut points, and assembling rough cuts based on predefined criteria. AI-driven tools can also perform color correction, audio syncing, and noise reduction with remarkable precision. Additionally, AI can generate realistic visual effects and seamlessly integrate CGI elements, reducing the time and effort required for manual adjustments. By handling these technical tasks, AI allows editors to focus more on the creative aspects, ultimately improving the efficiency and quality of post-production work.

AI can greatly assist in the technical aspects of filmmaking, such as optimizing workflows, enhancing visual effects, and automating repetitive tasks. However, when it comes to empathy—the ability to understand and convey deep emotional truths—human input remains irreplaceable. The nuances of human experience, the subtle interplay of emotions, and the authentic connection with the audience are elements that only a human storyteller can truly capture. By leveraging AI to handle the technical details, filmmakers can focus on infusing their work with the empathy and emotional richness that resonate deeply with viewers, creating stories that truly touch hearts.

The purpose of art is to move people emotionally, and to communicate a point of view. The best AI can do is mimic something similar to what exists already (a.k.a. the training data). Maybe it can accidentally conjure up something that emotionally resonates, but I suspect that'll be few and far in between - and even then it's an imitation, not a communication. Art is uniquely a human-to-human interaction, so let's keep that in mind and use the AI as a tool to help us do that better.

As AI continually improves and the quality of the generated output (text, images or videos) gets closer to what humans create, it's important to remember that they're just TOOLS to be used to express your creativity, rather than letting it lead you. While time and budget constraints might dictate an increased use of AI, we shouldn't lose sight of the importance of collaborating with human creators (crazy that I have to use that term) as the individuality and taste they bring to the creative work cannot be overstated or replaced. Just like the use of CGI or green screen, using it to augment reality will do better than using it to fully create realities.

AI platforms are emerging rapidly and solving increasingly complex problems. Filmmakers should take note: rather than resisting this technological shift, embrace it early and learn to leverage these tools. AI alone can't create content; it's the people who understand how to use AI effectively who will thrive. By mastering which AI tools to use for specific tasks, you increase your own value and future-proof your career.