Hot take: Everyone is wrong about AI filmmaking

Here's my 3 part theory:

PART I - Everyone's wrong

There's a new civil war happening online.

On one side: artists and critics yelling that AI is ruining creativity.

The case for it - real cinema is made through hours and hours of perfecting shots with different cameras, real people, lighting, a full team. You need to spend hours on takes to get the perfect shot, you can't just prompt it through an LLM. We've seen directors take 100 shots with no gap, actors that have psychologically been affected from being so engrossed into their character. you can't just copy paste someone else's idea with AI

On the other side: tech bros and founders cheering that AI is democratizing it.

The case for it: AI reduces the friction to creating cinematic content. Not everyone can afford expensive cameras but maybe not everyone needs to. Why should we spend $$$ on drones when AI can one shot city drone shots. AI already has access to images and videos online, its just remixing it - that is art. Remixing content from the artist's eye. AI is making that accessible to everyone

Both sides sound smart.

Both sides are wrong.

Both sides are lazy

PART II - The Real Threat

The filmmakers chasing greatness aren't in this debate. Its pretty obvious why both sides of this civil war are mad

The ones arguing about AI threatening filmmaking are scared. They're scared that a tool can do in seconds what they spent hours and hours on. A $20 model can outdo their $3000 camera

In other words, they aren't good enough. And instead of practicing, shipping more content/films they're complaining on the internet.

Because that's the easier thing to do. Lazy.

The ones arguing about AI making filmmaking easier are producing AI slop. Its never been easier to make mediocre content. AI can generate infinite content but it can't generate the willingness to delete your own work until it finally breaks your heart.

Its way easier to just prompt the AI again or post the slop than to re-start everytime.

The real filmmakers are showing the difference between a tool and taste through their work.

PART III - What's Next

The next generation of great filmmakers won't argue about AI.

They'll just use it the same way they use cameras, lighting, or sound.

The lazy will fight on the internet.

The real ones will be too busy creating with whatever's available.

AI won't ruin filmmaking — It'll expose who actually deserves to call themselves a filmmaker.