AI Films: The Next Generation
Seedream 4.5: Curt Doty
AI Films: The Next Generation
As the art and business of filmmaking continue to evolve at a breathtaking pace, one force stands out as both disruptive and generative: artificial intelligence. From Hollywood studios to independent film schools, creatives across the industry are asking a fundamental question: What will the future of filmmaking look like when AI becomes commonplace?
At the University of Wisconsin–Stout, educators are already answering that question with action. A new course in artificial intelligence and filmmaking is emerging as a trailblazer in preparing students for a future where technology and creativity intersect. As the university explains, the course “probes both theoretical and practical aspects of generative AI and digital media technologies in film production and visual storytelling.”
This course is “certainly on the vanguard of educational offerings in this field” according to UW-Stout, offering students hands-on experience with tools that allow them to experiment with generative visuals, scripts, and media workflows. But to understand how AI’s creative potential actually plays out in the broader world of filmmaking, we spoke with an industry veteran whose career spans independent film, studio marketing, and now higher education: Russell Schwartz, associate professor at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.
The Past: Hollywood and the Independent Spirit
Russell’s career began long before anyone talked seriously about AI.
“I started really in the mid-eighties… at the very, very beginning of the American independent cinema movement.” — Russell Schwartz
Russell recounts how his early experience with companies like Gramercy Pictures and partnerships with filmmakers and producers gave him a front-row seat to independent film’s creative diversity. These were films that didn’t follow a corporate blueprint—they were unique, distinct, and storyteller driven.
“The kinds of movies that came out… were all very, very distinct… we weren’t following a prescribed thought process on how to make independent movies.” — Russell Schwartz
That independent ethos is an important lens for understanding where AI fits into filmmaking today. Just as indie film once offered an antidote to studio formulas, AI tools now offer new opportunities for filmmakers to innovate—if they use them as creative augmentation, not replacements.
AI: A Tool, Not a Replacement
A core theme of Russell’s insight was his belief that AI will enhance filmmaking workflows, but not displace the human spark that drives original creative work.
“I think AI has surely leveled the playing field in terms of being able to do the physical needs of making a movie… But I don’t think AI will ever be able to write an original screenplay that an audience would necessarily respond to.” — Russell Schwartz
Indeed, AI excels at tasks like generating visuals, streamlining workflows, editing, and assisting with marketing strategies. But when it comes to emotional resonance and storytelling nuance, Russell sees the human creator as irreplaceable.
“These screenwriters, editors… have to realize that they’re still at the center of what they create… it’s a human using the tools, just like we moved from typewriters to word processors.” — Russell Schwartz
This sentiment echoes what educators at UW-Stout are doing: teaching students to use AI not as a shortcut, but as a creative ally. The course’s emphasis on ethical and practical exploration mirrors Russell’s conviction that context and human intention matter.
The university puts it simply: students will “experiment with AI tools and processes that inform, accelerate, and elevate their creative work.” This is the very kind of mindset Russell advocates for in professional environments.
AI in Education: Encouraging Creative Ownership
Russell’s role as an educator has given him a front-row seat to how the next generation of filmmakers is integrating AI.
“I teach… creative producers, and they all use AI. But it’s got to be in their own voice.” — Russell Schwartz
He stresses that while AI can help assemble marketing decks or brainstorm ideas, students must inject their own perspective and creativity.
“There’s a lot of cut and pasting… you have to be original with it, because when you ask someone to break down a social media campaign… it becomes very generic.” — Russell Schwartz
This taps into a broader truth about AI in creative fields: the tool’s output is only as meaningful as the vision of the person behind the prompt. And as Russell puts it, mastering prompts—asking the right questions with precision—is itself a new skill for storytellers and marketers alike.
The Future of Film Distribution and Audience Engagement
Part of the disruption AI brings isn’t just creative—it's structural.
Russell notes that the theatrical experience has dimmed, largely due to the pandemic’s impact and loss of distribution channels:
“Theatrical experience… has certainly dimmed… and content that was once welcome on streamers has started to flatline.” — Russell Schwartz
He suggests that a successful future may involve a hybrid ecosystem where independent films enjoy limited theatrical runs to build visibility and then transition to digital platforms—much like the hybrid models educators and filmmakers are testing today.
This isn’t far off from what the UW-Stout course aims to prepare students for: a world where distribution, audience analytics, and technology are deeply intertwined with creative processes.
The Human Element: Independent Film and Creative Persistence
Despite all the technology swirling around cinema, Russell is adamant that human creativity and persistence remain the core of filmmaking success.
“You’ve got to be tenacious… pressure is a privilege… you'll have a worse batting average than any baseball player, but at some point it catches.” — Russell Schwartz
That sentiment resonates especially with independent filmmakers, who often work with limited resources but deep conviction. As AI tools become more accessible, that independent spirit may find new ways to flourish.
Conclusion: Where AI and Human Creativity Converge
AI is reshaping the tools available to storytellers, but as both educators and practitioners are finding, the future of filmmaking is not technological or human—it’s human with technology.
The course at UW-Stout is emblematic of this shift, urging students to explore AI’s creative and ethical dimensions. At the same time, voices like Russell Schwartz remind us that storytelling, imagination, and persistence are the heartbeats no machine can mimic.
AI may change how films are made. But the why—why we tell stories, connect with audiences, and push creative boundaries—remains unmistakably human.
About the Author
Curt Doty is a former studio executive and award-winning creative director with deep leadership experience across the entertainment and branding industries. Ten years in Television. Ten Years in Movies.
As the founder of CurtDoty.co, a creative consultancy, Curt has led integrated marketing, multi-channel storytelling, branding, identity, and user experience initiatives for a diverse roster of clients.
Over the past 15 years, Curt has leaned into innovation—leading R&D projects at Apple, Toshiba, and Microsoft, and pioneering interactive content.
Today, Curt’s work also explores the intersection of AI and entertainment. A sought-after fractional leader (CCO, CMO), speaker, and AI educator, he focuses on demystifying AI for creatives and executives alike.
Curt is a sought after public speaker having been featured at Mobile Growth Association, Mobile World Congress, App Growth Summit, Promax, CES, CTIA, NAB, NATPE, MMA Global, New Mexico Angels, PRSA, EntrepeneursRx, Digital Hollywood, SHRM, Streaming Media NYC, and Davos Worldwide. Download his speaker presskit here.
He also hosts RealmIQ: Sessions, a podcast spotlighting thought leaders in tech, content, and design—continuing his role as a visionary voice in the future of creativity. He recently joined as a board member of The Human AI Innovation Commons, a new foundation focused on Encoding Equity Into AI-Generated Prosperity. A framework for ensuring the innovations arising from Human – AI collaborations benefit humanity broadly, not just corporate shareholders.
