AI in Filmmaking: A Tool, Not a Replacement

As a filmmaker, especially one focused on authentic storytelling for nonprofits, I’ve always believed that human connection is the heartbeat of any powerful film. Stories move people not because they’re technically perfect, but because they’re real. Lately, though, I’ve been experimenting with AI in my work—and it’s sparked a lot of questions about what role these tools can (and should) play in the creative process.

How I’m Using AI in Filmmaking Right Now

Over the past year, I’ve integrated a handful of AI tools into my workflow:

• Eddie AI helps with basic video editing tasks—things that used to eat up hours of time can now be knocked out in minutes.

• Eleven Labs provides AI-generated voiceovers, which I’ve used for training videos. It’s not the same as hiring a professional voice actor, but for certain projects, it’s practical and effective.

• Opus Clip takes longer content like a TV show episode or podcast and turns it into 10–15 short, social-ready clips. These cut-downs are a lifesaver for repurposing content and keeping nonprofit campaigns active on multiple platforms.

• Promo AI creates social media videos and posts from a website or topic. The results can feel generic, but they’re useful when I need a quick video aligned with my brand and messaging, especially on days when I’m short on ideas.

  
  

None of these replace my role as a filmmaker. What they do is free me up to focus more on the creative decisions that matter most: shaping the story, capturing emotion, and making sure the final film aligns with the nonprofit’s mission and message.

What I’ve Learned Through Mentorship

Being part of a filmmaking mentorship has opened my eyes to just how much potential AI has—not just in film, but across creative industries. There’s an explosion of new apps and platforms that can do everything from script drafts to music scoring to photo editing. It’s exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming.

The biggest takeaway for me is this: AI is a tool. It’s not perfect. It makes mistakes. It spits out results that often need refining, tweaking, or even a complete redo. But when used thoughtfully, it can push projects forward and unlock time for higher-level creative work.

The Reality Check: AI Isn’t Free

Yes, there are plenty of free AI tools out there. But the truth is, if you want consistent quality and reliability, the best tools usually come with a subscription. For professionals, that cost is part of the investment—just like paying for editing software, camera gear, or a good microphone. My rule of thumb here is find the best tool or maybe a couple of tools that you will use often that produce consistent results and make the investment there. It's tempting to want to use all the shiny new tools. Trust me, I am tempted a lot to get the newest shiny toy out there but it doesn't always pay off in the end if I can't use it for client work.

Why Humans Still Matter Most

No matter how good AI gets, it can’t replace the core of filmmaking: human vision, empathy, and creativity. AI can’t sit across from someone, hear their story, and know how to honor it with sensitivity. It can’t choose the right moment to linger on a pause, or sense the emotion in a person’s eyes during an interview. That’s the human touch.

For nonprofits especially—where authenticity is everything—the role of the filmmaker goes far beyond assembling clips. It’s about trust, relationships, and crafting stories that resonate. AI can support that work, but it can’t lead it.

Final Thoughts

AI isn’t the enemy of creativity, and it’s not the savior of it either. It’s a tool—powerful, imperfect, and useful in the right hands. As filmmakers, storytellers, and creators, our job is to drive the vision. AI can help us along the way, but it can’t take the wheel.

As a fun exercise, I used a lot of AI to create a short ad for my latest offer, Story Spark, which is a video package designed to spark donor engagement and support. Check out this fun ad that took me about an hour to create. I did run out of credits on eleven labs so I had to tap into my stock sound effects library for some of the music and sounds. I could have upped the visuals if I had Veo 3 for video but I don't want to invest in it at this time. I used some AI prompts in various tools to help me develop a script and turn it into a complete visual concept video.

If you are looking for some advice on AI tools or you are looking for a filmmaker who can create a concept video or idea for your organization, I'd love to help. I would love to know what AI tools you are using and why you find them productive. Just comment below or feel free to contact me.