AI FILMMAKING
Excerpt From: “Manifesto for Ethical and Intentional AI in Filmmaking” by Alec Goldberg
Introduction:
We stand at the cusp of a revolutionary moment in the history of cinema. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a powerful tool in filmmaking – one that, if used unethically, could threaten creativity and livelihoods. However, if used ethically and intentionally, AI can maximize efficiency, amplify creativity, and democratize film production[1][2]. Independent and small-scale filmmakers now have a unique opportunity (and responsibility) to set a precedent for ethical AI use in cinema before large studios exploit these technologies in unsustainable ways. The reality is inescapable: AI tools are not going anywhere[3][4]. Filmmakers must shape how AI is used – or risk studios doing so in pursuit of profit over artistry. This manifesto blends research and urgency to argue that by proactively embracing AI with ethical guidelines, independent creators can lower costs and risks, preserve the artistry of cinema, and lead the industry toward a more equitable and innovative future. We will examine the potential of AI to increase creative opportunities, transform distribution models, reduce environmental impact, and reconfigure film industry employment, all while proposing guardrails to protect human talent and creativity. The path forward is a fork in the road: one route leads to a creative revolution powered by human-AI collaboration, the other to a creative extinction via corporate-driven AI misuses[5][6]. The choices made by filmmakers today will determine which future becomes our reality.
Independent Filmmakers at the Forefront of Ethical AI:
Independent filmmakers must ethically and creatively set the precedent for AI use in filmmaking before major studios exploit the technology irresponsibly. Throughout film history, technological advances (from cameras to CGI) have forced artists to adapt; AI is simply the latest disruptive force. What’s different now is the speed and scale of AI’s emergence – and the genuine ethical concerns it raises around authenticity, consent, and labor. If the creative community does not lead by example in using AI responsibly, studios have shown they will rush to use it in ways that prioritize profit over people[7]. A recent example occurred during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, when studios proposed scanning background actors and paying for just one day’s work to own their digital likeness in perpetuity[8][9]. This kind of exploitative use of AI underscores why filmmakers need to establish ethical standards now.
At its core, ethical use of AI in filmmaking means using the technology to empower artists, not replace them. It means obtaining consent for any AI-generated performances (scans of actors or voice models), keeping creative control and authorship in human hands, and being transparent about what on screen is AI-generated[10]. Independent creators are well-positioned to model this behavior. They can use AI as a creative partner – for example, to pre-visualize scenes, generate concept art, or assist in editing – while openly crediting those contributions and refusing to use AI to sidestep ethical boundaries (like stealing an actor’s likeness or an artist’s style without permission). By taking this approach, indie filmmakers demonstrate how AI can be harnessed for creativity and cost-savings without devaluing human talent[11][12].
Crucially, independent filmmakers have flexibility and moral authority that large studios often lack. A studio is beholden to investors and blockbuster profits; an indie creator, however, can take risks on original ideas and set principled limits on technology use. This presents an historic chance for indies to lead by example. As one white paper on AI in storytelling argues, “only by using [these tools] the right way, can we provide an example to avoid them being used in the wrong way”[13]. If creators lead, we set the standard – if we don’t, corporations will[5]. Independent filmmakers can prove through their projects that AI can be integrated in a manner that lowers costs and enhances creativity, without hollowing out the soul of cinema. This preemptive action is essential because general audiences may soon be unable to tell the difference between AI-generated and human-made content – and if they can, they may not care[14]. We cannot pin our hopes on the audience revolting against AI; it is up to creators to ensure AI is used in service of art, not as a cheap replacement for it.
In summary, independent filmmakers are the vanguard for ethical AI. By embracing AI tools to augment their craft – not automate it – and by insisting on consent, transparency, and artistic integrity, they can set a high bar that pressures the entire industry (including studios) to follow suit. Ethical use of AI should ultimately lower production costs and risks for indies while preserving the artistry of film. It’s a classic win-win, but only if driven by creative intentions rather than corporate expediency. The mantra going forward is clear: adopt the new tools, but on our terms. Use AI to empower the many, not enrich the few[15][16]. If independent filmmakers answer this call to action, they will not only safeguard their own creative future but also reshape Hollywood’s trajectory for the better…