Filmmaking is an art but a very expensive one especially with the part of the pre production including storyboarding which is a crucial step that involves devising a deep visual outline for each scene of the movie. This process can be quite tedious and often involves hiring expensive artists who can do the job effectively. Imagine, if that stress could be taken away and the planning time could be reduced, while still being able to deliver high quality content. This is exactly where AI storyboards come in. This technology has made it quite easier and accessible to indie filmmakers as with the help of these tools, expensive artists do not have to hire to devise sculpted storyboards no longer require spending countless hours on planning.
In this article, we’ll explain how AI-generated storyboards can be a better and cheaper option and save time that helps you focus on the creative aspect of the film.
What Are AI-Generated Storyboards?
AI-generated storyboards are tools that enable you can integrate AI into motion picture production, since important scenes get visualized by AI programs which read the script automatically. Tools like these read a writer’s screenplay, select important portions of it and create visual sequences or frames for individual parts of the screenplay. As a result, instead of creating each scene from scratch, you may reduce your labour and resources.
The wonderful thing about them? You can use them as a base and let your imagination run wild and create something entirely unique. So, all the hard work is done for you which gives you a way to keep the control over the end product, the look of the finished film stock.
Why Traditional Storyboarding Is Expensive
Before we dive into how AI saves money, let’s take a look at why traditional storyboarding can be so costly:
High Artist Fees: Professional storyboard artists can charge anywhere from $500 to $1,000 a day. If your film needs dozens of scenes, those fees can quickly add up.
Long Timeframes: Creating storyboards by hand can take days or even weeks, especially for large projects like feature films. This delays the production process and increases costs.
Expensive Software: Some filmmakers use high-priced storyboard software that can cost hundreds of dollars. Even if you’re using it for a short time, these costs can add up.
Revisions and Changes: During pre-production, scripts and scenes often change, and every time that happens, you need to go back to the artist for more revisions. This results in additional costs and delays.
How AI-Generated Storyboards Save Money
Now that we know why traditional storyboarding is expensive, let’s explore how AI-generated storyboards can help cut down on those costs:
1. Lower Initial Costs
AI tools can create your initial storyboard without the need for expensive artists. These tools are usually much cheaper than hiring a professional artist, and many offer affordable subscription plans. Some even have free versions, which can be perfect for indie filmmakers on a tight budget.
By using AI-generated storyboards, you can save a lot of money that would have been spent hiring multiple artists or purchasing expensive software. Plus, the AI-generated storyboards give you a good starting point, saving you hours of work that would normally be spent sketching out each scene.
2. Faster Turnaround Time
Creating storyboards by hand can take days or weeks, but with AI tools, you can generate a full storyboard in just a few hours or even minutes. The AI reads the script and automatically creates the visuals, so you don’t have to wait for artists to draw every frame.
This faster process means that you can move forward with your production more quickly, which is especially helpful if you’re on a tight schedule or need to make quick decisions about your film’s visual direction.
3. Reduced Revision Costs
One of the most common challenges in traditional storyboarding is the need for revisions. If you change a scene or add something new to the script, artists need to redraw parts of the storyboard, which costs extra time and money.
With AI-generated storyboards, revisions are much easier and cheaper. Since the AI-generated frames are created digitally, you can easily adjust them yourself. You can change camera angles, experiment with different shots, or make other tweaks without needing to hire an artist for every little change.
This flexibility saves you money because you don’t need to pay for constant revisions, and you can adjust the visuals yourself as needed.
4. Reusable Assets and Templates
Another great feature of AI-powered storyboarding tools is the ability to reuse assets. Many platforms come with libraries of pre-made characters, backgrounds, and props that you can drag and drop into your scenes. This reduces the need to create new designs for every frame.
By reusing assets across multiple scenes, you can save both time and money. Instead of hiring artists to draw new backgrounds or props for each scene, you can simply reuse the ones available in the AI tool. This is a big help, especially for indie filmmakers who are working with a limited budget.
5. Affordable Subscription Plans
Unlike traditional storyboarding, which often requires large upfront payments to hire artists or purchase expensive software, AI-powered storyboarding tools usually offer affordable subscription plans. Many platforms have different pricing tiers, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Some tools even offer free versions with basic features, allowing you to test the service before making a financial commitment. If you’re just starting out or working on a smaller project, a free or low-cost AI tool can be a great way to get professional-quality storyboards without spending too much.
The Future of AI-Generated Storyboards: Even More Savings
As AI technology continues to improve, it’s likely that AI-powered storyboarding tools will become even more powerful and affordable. In the future, we could see:
Better Scene Understanding: AI could get even better at understanding the emotions and style of a script. This would allow the AI to create storyboards that are more in line with the director’s vision, saving time spent on adjustments.
Collaboration Features: Many AI tools might offer real-time collaboration, allowing directors, producers, and team members to work on the storyboard together. This would make the process even faster and more efficient.
Post-Production Integration: AI-generated storyboards could eventually be linked to post-production tools, helping you identify any continuity issues between the storyboard and the final footage. This could save even more money by reducing the need for reshoots or adjustments.
Real-Life Example: AI Storyboarding in Action
To see how AI-generated storyboards can save money in action, let’s look at an example from CineVision Films, an indie production company. They used an AI-powered storyboarding tool for their feature film. The tool helped them save over $2,500 in artist fees and allowed them to complete their storyboard in just a few hours, instead of several days.
By using AI-generated storyboards, CineVision Films had more time to focus on their film’s creative aspects and made faster decisions about scene changes. This helped them stay within budget and get their film completed on time.
Conclusion
AI-generated storyboards are a powerful tool for filmmakers looking to save money and time during the pre-production phase. With the ability to reduce costs associated with hiring artists, speed up the process, and give filmmakers more control over revisions, AI-powered tools are a game changer for indie filmmakers.
As the technology continues to improve, we can expect even greater cost savings, faster turnaround times, and more creative possibilities. If you’re an indie filmmaker or someone working with a small budget, AI-generated storyboards are an affordable and efficient way to bring your vision to life.
