Best AI Tools for Filmmakers in 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered technology in present-day filmmaking and content creation has become indispensable for creatives by helping promote artistry, efficiency, and cost-savings. AI can benefit creatives in essentially all aspects of the filmmaking process, from crafting scripts to pre-visualization to virtual production, post, and beyond.

Sohonet breaks down which tools are promising the most benefit to content creators as of 2024 and where we see it headed in 2025 and years to come.

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‍Script Generation

One of the most common ways AI is currently used is to facilitate the writing of scripts. AI-powered technology can analyze data and create scripts so detailed that they include plot, character development, and dialogue. Natural language processing (NLP)—a subsection of AI that allows computers to understand, generate, and manipulate human language—is used to generate summaries, identify issues, and make recommendations for improvement. Filmmakers can refine their scripts before production starts, ultimately saving immensely on time, money, and resources.

While OpenAI's ChatGPT reigns as the most recognized AI-powered text-generating tool, other notable names on the market include Jasper, Scalenut, and Writesonic, which all can create high-quality copy at record speeds with industry-relevant formatting and organization.

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Pre-production and Planning

In addition to generating scripts, another common use case of AI in filmmaking is in pre-visualization and planning before production begins. AI can automatically generate storyboards by analyzing scene descriptions in a script, providing visual representations to reference for the director, cinematographer, producers, and other crew members. Adobe Firefly is one popular tool that can generate storyboard images from text, with the added benefit of seamlessly connecting with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, and other tools in the Adobe Creative Cloud.

Another notable tool that recently made headlines is Leonardo.ai, which was just acquired by Canva. This tool features text prompt capabilities combined with a digital canvas that enables manual adjustments to composition and dimensions.

AI-driven tools are also often used in the casting stage of pre-production. Tools like Largo.ai can analyze actors’ performances and suggest suitable candidates based on predefined criteria, helping provide actors with more visibility and access to a broader range of roles.

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Virtual Production

Thanks, in part, to AI-powered technology, virtual production is no longer a process used solely for big-budget, VFX-heavy films. AI-powered tools enable real-time rendering, allowing creative collaborators on a project to visualize and adjust digital assets on the spot. This capability empowers key collaborators to make creative decisions instantly rather than relying on “fixing in post.”

Neural radiance fields (NeRFs) are becoming more prevalent in Virtual Production and VFX. To create a NeRF, a neural network is trained on a recorded video or set of images, then the network can generate 3D representations based on it. Luma AI and Nvidia Instant NeRF are two tools that allow users to create NeRFs simply from a video shot on an iPhone.

Additionally, AI can automate motion capture and facial recognition to help actors better interact with virtual elements, making scenes feel more realistic. These algorithms can also optimize lighting, camera angles, and visual effects in real-time, ensuring that every shot aligns with the director’s creative vision. Move.ai has the capability to achieve high-quality motion capture data from video in any environment using a mobile phone without the need for markers, mocap suits, or associated equipment.

Cuebric, a GenAI-powered tool, is revolutionizing virtual production with its ability to create virtual backgrounds instantly. By leveraging advanced AI models, Cuebric can generate photorealistic environments tailored to the specific needs of a production, significantly reducing the time and resources typically required to build and render digital sets. This allows filmmakers and content creators to experiment with different settings and aesthetics rapidly, enhancing creative flexibility and efficiency in the virtual production process.

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Post-production

AI is also making a huge impact on the post-production process by automating tasks such as editorial, color grading, audio, and more. Many of the most popular color grading and editorial software systems, including DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and Premiere Pro, have already incorporated AI technology into many of their features to simplify the process and save time for the artists working on their platforms.

On the audio post side, software like AIVA and Adobe Audition streamline sound editing by matching sound effects with visual elements, removing unwanted background noise, and adjusting audio levels.

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Visual Effects

AI can assist in the automation of many of the more labor-intensive elements of traditional VFX, such as rotoscoping and compositing. AI and machine learning algorithms can create realistic simulations and generate high-quality environments and characters, essentially from scratch.

Adobe After Effects and Runway ML are two great  tools that utilize machine learning to automate visual effects creation, generating CG animations as well as seamlessly removing any unwanted objects or characters from a scene.

Wonderdynamics also stands out as an incredibly powerful AI tool. Recently acquired by Autodesk and featuring Steven Spielberg on its board, Wonderdynamics is making waves in the industry with its ability to streamline complex visual effects processes. Additionally, DeepVoodoo, founded by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, is pushing the boundaries of deepfake technology, with their innovations already being employed in Hollywood features.

Another significant player in the VFX landscape is MARZ, known for their Vanity AI, which specializes in de-aging effects. MARZ also offers a Lip Sync AI tool, enhancing the accuracy of dialogue synchronization in visual media, making it a valuable asset for filmmakers.

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Video Generation and Story Creation Platforms

Beyond traditional VFX and post-production, AI is advancing into video generation and end-to-end (E2E) story creation platforms, enabling filmmakers to create and visualize entire scenes and stories from scratch with minimal input.

Runway's Gen-2 and Gen-3 are leading video generation tools that utilize AI to create high-quality video content from text prompts, offering filmmakers a way to quickly prototype and generate complex visuals without needing traditional video production resources.

Luma AI and Sora are also pushing the boundaries of AI-driven video generation, allowing creators to produce visually stunning content with little more than an idea and a text description.

On the E2E story creation front, platforms like Fable Studios and AI Town offer comprehensive environments for developing entire stories from start to finish. These platforms leverage AI to assist in plot development, character creation, dialogue writing, and scene visualization, providing a powerful toolkit for filmmakers and storytellers looking to innovate in the digital age

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Localization

AI is also transforming the localization of content, making it easier to adapt films and shows for global audiences:

• Flawless AI - Specializes in cinematic lip-syncing, ensuring that dubbed content maintains a natural appearance.
• DeepDub - Provides sophisticated dubbing services, enhancing the accuracy and emotional depth of voiceovers in different languages.
• ElevenLabs - Offers advanced AI voice generation, allowing for seamless and realistic voiceovers tailored to specific languages and dialects

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AI in 2025 and Beyond

The use of AI as a tool to improve the filmmaking process will undoubtedly continue and grow as this technology evolves. R&D and technological innovations will further enhance AI’s capabilities, making it an even stronger asset to the creative process.

In a study by Liveplex, the use of AI in content creation in the film industry is expected to increase by 75% by 2025. By 2024, AI in post-production workflows is estimated to increase by 40%.

Sohonet continues to drive the media and entertainment industry forward, partnering with you on all your production needs across remote video editing, video collaboration tools, color grading software, dailies reviewing, and more. Contact us to learn more.

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