Summary of Key Points
A group of college students and recent graduates majoring in film and television have used AI tools to bypass the traditional barriers to advancement in the industry, such as spending a decade working as scriptwriters. They have quickly become "AI creators," with some winning international film festival awards and others producing viral short videos that generate over 100,000 yuan in revenue per project. However, they also face challenges such as rapid technological updates and the short lifespan of their works (which are often forgotten within a few months). Meanwhile, as university programs (such as Communication University of China, which has eliminated traditional majors in favor of AI-related ones) and the industry environment continue to evolve, these young professionals are exploring various business models, including project-based teams, short video platforms, and film festival funding, in an effort to turn short-term gains into long-term careers.
Detailed Analysis
1. AI: Helping Young Professionals Overcome Barriers
In the traditional film industry, newcomers often have to start as scriptwriters or assistants and wait for years before gaining directorial opportunities. However, AI has streamlined this process:
- Cost and Time Savings: Sun Qianhui, a graduate from Communication University of China, used AI to create the science fiction film "Dance of Sparks," which featured robots. The traditional approach would have required expensive special effects, but with AI, she completed the project in just one week and won more than 40 film festival awards.
- Compensating for Skill Gaps: Li Xinxin, a student majoring in visual effects, lacked the skills to draw by hand; AI enabled her to create animations directly, and her work "IVORY" won an award at the Cannes AI Film Festival.
- Direct Market Access: Zhao Jingru from Sichuan Film and Television College used AI for her final project and won the Best Film award at the Blue Planet Film Festival. Li Rang from Nanjing Media University used AI to produce a video about Ultraman and later transitioned to creating emotional content; his series "Farewell" has been viewed over tens of millions of times.
In short, AI provides a shortcut for newcomers, allowing them to showcase their talent directly without the need to accumulate years of experience.
2. The Bright Side and the Dark Side of Rapid Success
While AI offers quick fame, it also brings concerns about the rapid obsolescence of works:
- Short Lifespan of Works: Sun Qianhui notes that good films used to last for two to three years, but now they are replaced by new content within months due to rapid technological advancements.
- Accelerated Industry Competition: AI has lowered the entry barrier, making it easier for newcomers to be surpassed by those who are more skilled in using these tools.
- Divergence Among Peers: Of over 30 students in her class, fewer than 10 continued with traditional methods, and even fewer tried AI. Most chose stable jobs in state-owned enterprises or large companies, as AI creation requires continuous learning of new tools, which is more stressful than a secure job.
Their main concern is not about AI replacing directors but about how to combine AI with traditional creative skills to learn new tools faster and prove their artistic and storytelling abilities.
3. Changing Educational and Industry Trends
The foundation of the film industry is changing:
- University Reforms: Communication University of China will eliminate traditional majors like photography and comics by 2025, and eight majors, including broadcasting and television directing, will no longer be part of the art entrance exams by 2027. New majors in intelligent imaging arts have been introduced. Even professors who previously opposed AI are now using it in their teaching.
- Industry Shift: Film festivals (e.g., Cannes AI Film Festival) are dedicating sections to AI-generated content, and venture capital firms are showing more interest in AI-related projects. Chen Xiaoyu is preparing an AI film with a team of just 10 people, each needing to be proficient in both 2D and 3D skills.
This indicates that AI is no longer an optional tool but has become a essential skill in the film industry.
4. Creative Organizational Structures
Traditional film production teams have rigid divisions of labor (scriptwriters, cinematographers, editors, etc.), but AI-based creative teams are more flexible:
- Sun Qianhui's Team: A team of seven to eight people takes turns directing and producing, with others serving as AI artists. Other tasks like sound and color grading are outsourced to professionals. They plan to start their own company.
- Li Rang's Team: A 20-person team, some full-time and some part-time, breaks down the production process into steps such as script breakdown, generating images, and editing. They can complete a video in 2-4 days and work overnight on sequels if it becomes successful.
- ET AI Studio: Members come from diverse backgrounds (e.g., architecture and documentary directing). Everyone can act as a director, with tasks assigned based on project needs (e.g., finding designers for commercial ads or focusing on non-fiction content for real-world themes). They use Photoshop for tasks that AI cannot handle.
These more flexible structures are more efficient for the fast-paced creation environment of the AI era.
5. Turning Short-Term Gains into Long-Term Careers
After achieving success, these young professionals are exploring different ways to build long-term careers:
- Short Videos and MCNs: Li Rang uses his experience in new media to collaborate with MCNs on popular content.
- Original IP Development: Li Xinxin is developing an animated series and using her platform "Invincible Star Orange" to collect feedback and improve the IP over time.
- Film Festivals and Venture Capital: Sun Qianhui and Wang Yihui's team are focusing on film festivals and using venture capital to develop long AI films (e.g., the realistic short film "Crossing."
Their common goal is to recognize that while AI is a valuable tool, they must also focus on learning and finding a sustainable career path in a rapidly changing industry.
Conclusion
AI provides new opportunities for young filmmakers to advance quickly. However, to thrive in this dynamic field, they need to not only master the tools but also understand storytelling and have a sense of aesthetics, while identifying a long-term direction for their careers. This journey is just beginning.