Content Creation, Hybrid, Industry • AI, Production, Script

In person, November 2nd 2025, followed by every Tuesday evening online (6:00 pm, 1.5 hours), 4th November, 11th, 18th, 25th and December 2nd.

AI Fundamentals for Filmmaking

Book for all modules

A short course package centred on the fundamentals of AI in film production, keeping the human at the centre. Across six interactive sessions, learners discover how AI is transforming animation, storyboarding, screenwriting, sound design, and production ethics—through practical prompts, guided demonstrations, and real-world examples. Perfect for creatives exploring ways to incorporate AI into their own storytelling practices.

Course Info

Date:

In person, November 2nd 2025, followed by every Tuesday evening online (6:00 pm, 1.5 hours), 4th November, 11th, 18th, 25th and December 2nd.

Times:

10:00 – 16:30

Duration:

1 day in person, followed by 5 online sessions, every Tuesday

Fee:

£475 for all sessions or individual online sessions for £90

Capacity:

10-25

Course Overview

Session 1: Introduction to AI for Film

Gain a foundational understanding of generative AI and its relevance to film production, previsualisation, and storytelling.

Explore key AI concepts: generative models, diffusion, LLMs
See examples of AI tools in different film departments
Discuss the rapid evolution of AI and its creative potential

Session 2: AI for Screenwriting

Learn how large language models can help refine story ideas, expand beats, and rework dialogue.

Use AI to rewrite or elevate a scene
Expand story beats or fill gaps in a short synopsis
Explore how AI can offer tonal or genre-based rewrites

Session 3: AI for Storyboarding

Create previsualisations using image-generation tools like Midjourney or Stable Diffusion.

Generate visual panels from a scene description
Explore prompt variation for framing and tone
Build a basic AI-assisted storyboard sequence

Session 4: AI for Animation

Explore how AI can generate and augment animated content using prompt-based tools and motion AI.

Generate a short, animated loop using text prompts
Test motion puppeting or interpolation using Runway
See how AI animation blends with live-action content

Session 5: AI for Sound & Music

Discover how AI tools can create original music beds, ambient tracks, and synthetic voices.

Generate a short AI music cue or loop
Layer AI ambience over video to test mood
Explore voice generation for non-sync VO or testing

Session 6: AI, Copyright & Filmmaking Futures (Wrap-Up)

Examine the ethical, legal and technical challenges around likeness, consent, and synthetic actors. Reflect on AI’s evolving role in film.

Compare AI-generated faces with real footage
Discuss face rights, model release, and deepfake regulation
Explore the future of creative workflows and ethical filmmaking
Discuss how AI tools are shaping the future of film production, editing, and
creative control.
Present a short AI-enhanced film pipeline
Explore pros, limits, and trends in AI filmmaking
Group discussion and reflection on opportunities and concerns

Toolset

RunwayML (motion, animation, inpainting)
ChatGPT or other LLM (screenwriting refinement)
Midjourney / Stable Diffusion (storyboards, image generation)
ElevenLabs (dialogue generation)
Suno (music generation)

Deliverables

AI-generated storyboard panels
Short dialogue scene rewritten with AI
Sample AI music or animation clip

Tutors

Fiona Bavinton

Creative Technologist, Software Engineer, Filmmaker

Fiona Bavinton

Creative Technologist, Software Engineer, Filmmaker

Fiona Bavinton is a creative technologist and storyteller with 20 years’ experience as a software engineer and technical lead. She is a professional member of the British Computer Society and has worked on a range of projects including as a technical lead tasked with building the BBC’s streaming infrastructure for the London Olympics and iPlayer. She is also an award-winning film maker and a professional member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain. Now at the intersection of storytelling and technology, she pushes, breaks and challenges game engines, AI, and creative computing to reshape how narratives are created and experienced. She is also completing a PhD researching AI and multi-channel content production.

Clare Cahill

Producer, Senior Lecturer

Clare Cahill

Producer, Senior Lecturer

Clare Cahill is a creative producer, educator, and senior lecturer in producing at Arts University Bournemouth. With over 20 feature films to her credit, she practices what she teaches, blending industry expertise with education. A member of the Production Guild of Great Britain, she is passionate about the future of storytelling, exploring new production methods with creative technology, game engines, AI, and tools beyond the camera.

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