Director's Mindset in the Age of AI Filmmaking

Recently, I watched a live session by Chinese director Xiaoyu Chen, who shared his complete workflow for AI video creation. His talk wasn't just about tools — it was about how directors think in this new era of accessible technology. Below are my key takeaways, notes, and reflections from his talk.

---

🎬 Why This Matters

Traditional filmmaking has always demanded years of apprenticeship, funding, and layers of approval — from script development to pitching, production, and post. For most new directors, this path is long, costly, and controlled by others. You often spend a decade making a film that no longer feels like your own.

AI, however, lowers the barrier of entry. With the right tools, even independent creators can now experiment with visual storytelling, test ideas quickly, and build their skills without waiting for permission.

---

🧠 The Director's Mindset

Director Xiaoyu emphasized that AI isn't just a tool — it's a new way to practice filmmaking.

Instead of chasing perfection, he suggested focusing on:

• Practicing low-cost short film production
• Using AI to visualize dreams, stories, or emotions
• Avoiding "path dependency" — not forcing one specific shot, but exploring what conveys the feeling
• Building emotional journeys rather than technical showcases

Ultimately, filmmaking — AI or not — is about delivering a human emotional experience.

---

🧩 The Universal AI Filmmaking Workflow

Here's a breakdown of the general AI video creation flow he outlined, adapted into my notes:

1. Image Generation

Create the base visuals that define composition and tone.

• Tools: Midjourney, OpenAI, Gemini Nano, Seedream, Kling, Freepik, OpenArt
• Use AI to generate characters and scenes.
• 3D-style renders tend to be more stable than realistic human faces.
• Combine live-action with AI for best results (e.g., green-screen compositing).

---

2. Image Refinement & Upscaling

Improve quality and consistency.

• Use "image editing" to fix generation artifacts
• Upscale with built-in models, Magnific AI, or Topaz Photo AI
• Remember: Garbage in, garbage out (GIGO) — good inputs define the result

---

3. Image-to-Video

Convert your visuals into motion.

• Use AI video generators (Veo, Kling, Seedance, Runway, etc.)
• Generate sequences per shot or per scene for higher control

---

4. Video Upscaling & Post-Processing

Refine visual quality after generation.

• Topaz Video AI for clarity and frame enhancement
• AI compositing for effects (replace 3D pre-vis or CG VFX)
• Use color grading to reduce the "AI feel" in human footage:
  • Soften sharpness, add film grain
  • Adjust contrast and tone toward cinematic warmth
  • Add light noise or film texture

---

🧱 Practical Techniques

• Start with 3-view character renders → use them for motion generation

• Use green dummy placeholders for character blocking in scene generation

• Try cut-scene prompting for multi-shot videos:

  "A short-haired woman reading a book in a vintage train cabin. Cut to: her close-up. Cut to: the book. Cut to: the snowy mountain outside."

• Build your own asset library

• Constantly improve your visual literacy and aesthetic sense

---

💭 Reflection: AI as the New Playground for Filmmakers

AI filmmaking doesn't eliminate creativity — it democratizes it. Anyone with vision and persistence can now practice like a director, without million-dollar budgets.

In this new landscape, technical skill is only half the story. Your knowledge, taste, and emotional depth determine the uniqueness of your visuals.

---

Written for the AI Creator Journey — documenting how filmmakers can learn, experiment, and tell stories with AI.