AI in Filmmaking: The Good, The Bad, and What You Really Need to Know with Caleb Ward
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Are filmmakers right to fear AI? Not exactly. In this episode, Ben Consoli sits down with Caleb Ward, co-founder of Curious Refuge, the leading platform for AI storytelling, to break down the real impact of AI on the filmmaking industry. They dive into how AI can enhance—not replace—human creativity, streamline production, and even open the door to entirely new job roles. From ethical concerns to wild possibilities like generating full films from a single prompt, this conversation explores the exciting (and sometimes misunderstood) intersection of technology and storytelling. Whether you’re AI-curious or AI-cautious, this episode is a must-listen for any modern filmmaker.
Takeaways
- Curiosity beats fear — filmmakers shouldn’t be afraid of AI, but explore its potential.
- AI enhances, not replaces — it’s a tool to support storytelling, not steal jobs.
- History repeats — every new tech in filmmaking faced initial skepticism.
- AI in action — it’s already helping with pre-vis, post-production, VFX, and animation.
- Creativity still rules — AI lacks original storytelling ability; the human touch is essential.
- New visuals, new possibilities — AI enables visuals once too costly or impossible to achieve.
- The Sphere example — AI was used to enhance The Wizard of Oz experience in Las Vegas.
- Inspiration & iteration — AI can speed up creative brainstorming and refine ideas.
- Ethics & ownership matter — creators must consider legal and moral implications.
- Jobs are evolving — AI is creating new roles in the industry, not just replacing old ones.
- The future is hybrid — expect AI-assisted films, but human storytelling remains irreplaceable.
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