Welcome to the first edition of my column on Escape.ai. I am a Professor, AI Filmmaker, Producer, Podcast Host, and Author.

It's official! Joanna Popper and I will be host the new "Pop Fink Podcast" on Escape.ai starting in November. We'll cover Cinematic AI news, showcase AI work, and host guests to talk about AI's impact on film, media, art, culture and politics.

https://youtu.be/sDiwdbSmI2E?si=nc1eCQ2shDwzwDDw the common swift - ai doc

https://youtu.be/Fcb5E5Q9S1Y?si=VX-bbc9IKSdrRhFW Common Swift - BTS

Former Netflix Animation Studio post-production executive Brian Raleigh spent three months making The Common Swift, a seven-minute animated comedy framed as a nature documentary. Set in Lewes, England, it follows Pip and Jib, two young birds struggling to master life in flight. Raleigh used Seedance 2.0, NanoBanana Pro, ElevenLabs and Topaz, with Claude assisting production planning and prompts. Editing, color and sound mixing were completed in DaVinci Resolve. He describes the process as frustrating, slow and dependent on conventional filmmaking skills. AI generated the imagery, but writing, editorial decisions, sound design, finishing and delivery still required work from the filmmaker. Brian Raleigh

https://youtu.be/zreDERoqFDg?si=oHgzGDHM1u0z9RFM

I love everything about this sequence. The look, the direction, the rhythm of are exceptionally good but, but, but, but. Is there a great story to go with it? Who is this guy? Do we care about him? Thanks Metaco, for Vertical Hustle. We’d love to know more about you.  

https://youtu.be/OVkRjyPNaoQ?si=312QgcwaDK-19SSp

Oniric Lab’s short film began as a bedtime story filmmaker Nicolas has told his children for 20 years. Eighteen months ago, the Paris-based filmmaker left a career in luxury retail to teach himself AI filmmaking. He now runs Oniric Lab, a one-man studio producing films and animation. Made for approximately $350–400, the short is a departure from his typically darker work. To meet the contest’s ten-minute limit, he trimmed atmospheric sequences. AI artifacts remain visible in the final party scene because he ran out of generation credits and refused to buy more, honoring a promise to himself. After 18 months of daily experimentation and filmmaking competitions, Nicolas is developing his own animated series. His modest goal with this film was to make viewers smile. Mission accomplished.

Curious Refuge’s AI Horror Competition Offers $12,000 in Prizes

Curious Refuge’s fourth annual AI Horror Film Competition will award $12,000 in prizes, with winners announced October 29. Submissions closed October 9. Audience voting runs October 21–28, opening and closing at 11 a.m. Pacific. Films must run no longer than three minutes, use AI in every shot, feature original intellectual property, and use Epidemic Sound music and effects. First prize is $7,000, followed by $3,000 and $2,000. Judges include Promise Studios’ Dave Clark, Backrooms executive producer Chris White, Shelby Ward, Verena Puhm and Spooky Dan. Entries span horror and Halloween comedy. The audience favorite receives course enrollment and a T-shirt. Curious Refuge

Infinity Festival Returns to Los Angeles November 12–15

Infinity Festival returns November 12–15 at Los Angeles’s Audrey Irmas Pavilion, with additional venues to be announced. Presented by HP, Nvidia and Intel, the event combines panels, screenings, exhibitions and networking across entertainment and technology. This year’s programming includes AI, gaming, animation, sports technology and immersive production, with AI and media tracks curated in association with USC’s Entertainment Technology Center. The festival will also host the ASIFA Showcase premiere, Monolith Awards and a Student Lab featuring demonstrations of games and immersive experiences. An exhibition floor and startup presentations round out the program. Registration is open through the festival’s official website. Infinity Festival