As a filmmaker and storyteller, I’ve wrestled with what AI means for creativity. Is it a threat, a tool, or something in between? In this essay, I explore my evolving relationship with AI - how it challenged my fears, reshaped my storytelling, and helped me rediscover why the human element still matters most in art.

In this reflective article, filmmaker and AI storyteller James Deverell explores the overwhelming flood of digital content shaping our modern world. As AI-generated video platforms like OpenAI’s Sora and Musk’s rumored Vine revival promise endless creativity, James questions whether infinite content truly leads to freedom - or just deeper distraction. Through the lens of filmmaking and human connection, he examines how the attention economy, synthetic media, and algorithmic addiction are reshaping art, meaning, and society.

Are we creating more… or simply consuming more?

A timely exploration of technology, storytelling, and what it means to stay human in an age of machine-made creativity.

The release of Sora 2 has reignited both excitement and anxiety across the filmmaking world. While the technology behind AI video generation is undeniably groundbreaking, it also raises deeper questions about creativity, authenticity, and human connection. Are we witnessing the evolution of storytelling—or the automation of art itself?

As AI filmmaking rapidly evolves, excitement around its potential grows—but why the joy in artists losing their jobs? While embracing AI tools myself, I explore the balance between innovation and authenticity, highlighting the irreplaceable human connection that genuine storytelling brings.

The release and popularity of Adolescence gives me hope for a future where, although there will likely be AI films in the future, filmmakers will still choose to create art in innovative and challenging ways.

As a filmmaker and editor, I have embraced Large Language Models (LLMs) ever since they came into the forefront of media talking points. Content creators are constantly at odds with the demands of creating videos at a consistent and fast pace, while at the same time ensuring quality. We have to master all aspects of filmmaking: research, writing, cinematography, lighting, editing, effects, audio mixing… the list goes on! As these tools have become more available, they have enabled us to be so much more productive and create more content than we have ever had before.