Author Archives: Michael Korican

About Michael Korican

A long-time media artist, Michael’s filmmaking stretches back to 1978. Michael graduated from York University film school with Special Honours, winning the Famous Players Scholarship in his final year. The Rolling Stone Book of Rock Video called Michael's first feature 'Recorded: Live!' "the first film about rock video". Michael served on the board of L.I.F.T. when he lived in Toronto during the eighties and managed the Bloor Cinema for Tom and Jerry. He has been prolific over his past eight years in Victoria, having made over thirty-five shorts, won numerous awards, produced two works for BravoFACT! and received development funding for 'Begbie’s Ghost' through the CIFVF and BC Film.

Easy motion transfer in Runway Act-Two

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CyberJungle, the Youtube channel of Hamburg-based Senior IT Product Manager Cihan Unur, has raved about Runway’s excellent motion-capture feature, Act-Two.

He says:

“This new feature can turn you into literally any character you can imagine. We are talking about advanced motion capture now with full body face and hands tracking. Act-Two is an AI human hybrid performance acting tool. It’s full scene transformation powered by your acting and a single image. No green screen, no fancy setup, just a video of you and the one image or video clip to guide the look. It transforms you into any character, even nonhuman.”

Act-Two requires a Standard plan or higher ($15/month.)

Official Help webpage.

My take: Wow! What I find particularly impressive is the lip-sync that is the best I’ve seen and for the most part totally believable.

Moonvalley wants to be THE tool for filmmakers

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Moonvalley released Marey 1.5 to the public last week.

It promises Text to Video and Image to Video. What’s much more interesting is what else it can do — such as:

  1. Motion Transfer
  2. Pose Transfer
  3. Facial Reference
  4. Camera Motion from Image
  5. Camera Motion from Video
  6. Trajectory Control
  7. Keyframing
  8. Shot Extension

An example:

“Prompt: Cinematic shot of a chimpanzee sitting in contemplative stillness, its fingers types on a retro typewriter. Soft, diffused lighting highlights the rich textures of its fur and the intricate details of its face. Shadows fall dramatically across the dimly lit room, creating a cinematic and moody atmosphere. Captured with a shallow depth of field using warm, sharp 35mm film aesthetics. Moody low angle looking up at a close hairy chimpanzee hands raised looking at a typewriter, out of focus lunar landscape in the background dark space. Bark sky, dark void, black void, minimalist masterful, shot on 35mm, low angle, close up, black background, stark black backdrop, darkness of space on the moon valley, hyper realistic, details, cinema, rocky cracks craters dusty surface of the moon, atmospheric hazy atmosphere, out of focus lunar surface, haze, space.”

Pricing is not cheap at $14.99 for 10 videos. (Curiously, the middle tier is the best value at $1.40 per video.)

Tim at Theoretically Media takes this further by combing output from SayMotion with Moonvalley’s Motion Transfer:

My take: Finally, a company working from inside Hollywood and not just another one approaching AiGV as a technical challenge. Moonvalley seems to be our best hope yet for valuable tools that filmmakers might use to improve their projects.

Tips for using Google’s Flow

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It’s debatable whether Google’s Veo is the best AI video generator or has been eclipsed by something newer, but what’s not up for debate is its cost – it’s by far the most expensive option. Therefore, use these tips to minimize unusable generations.

For consistent characters in Flow, use “ingredients”. According to Google:

“An ingredient is a consistent visual element — a character, an object or a stylistic reference — that you can create from a text-to-image prompt with the help of Imagen or by uploading an image. You can add up to three ingredients per prompt by selecting “Ingredients to Video” and then generating or uploading the desired images.”

You should be able to add your two main characters this way, and keep them consistent with Ingredients to Video.

Another way to generate a new clip with the same character is to Jump To it. According to Google:

“Transition a character or object to a completely new setting while preserving their appearance from the previous shot. It’s like teleporting your subject, saving you from recreating them for a new scene.”

In general, you’re going to want to be very specific when prompting Veo for video. From Google:

“Consider these elements when crafting your prompt:

  • Subject and action: Clearly identify your characters or objects and describe their movements.
  • Composition and camera motion: Frame your shot with terms like “wide shot” or “close-up,” and direct the camera with instructions like “tracking shot” or “aerial view.”
  • Location and lighting: Don’t just name a place; paint a picture. The lighting and environment set the entire mood. Instead of “a room,” try describing “a dusty attic filled with forgotten treasures, a single beam of afternoon light cutting through a grimy window.”
  • Alternative styles: Flow is not limited to realistic visual styles. You can explore a wide array of animation styles to match your story’s tone. Experiment with prompts that specify aesthetics like “stop motion,” “knitted animation” or “clay animation.”
  • Audio and dialogue: While still an experimental feature, you can generate audio with your video by selecting Veo 3 in the model picker. You can then prompt the model to create ambient noise, specific sound effects, or even generate dialogue by including it in your prompt, optionally specifying details like tone, emotion, or accents. Note that speech is less likely to be generated if the requested dialogue doesn’t fit in the 8-second clip, or if it involves minors.

You can use Gemini to refine prompts, expand on an idea or be a brainstorming companion. Here’s a Gemini prompt to get you started:

“You are the world’s most intuitive visual communicator and expert prompt engineer. You possess a deep understanding of cinematic language, narrative structure, emotional resonance, the critical concept of filmic coverage and the specific capabilities of Google’s Veo AI model. Your mission is to transform my conceptual ideas into meticulously crafted, narrative-style text-to-video prompts that are visually breathtaking and technically precise for Veo.”

If you’re using Gemini to help generate multiple clips that have scene consistency, you’ll need to explicitly tell Gemini to repeat all essential details from prior prompts.”

My take: cheeky, prompting us to use Gemini to create prompts for Veo. Bit of a house of mirrors, no?

Kalshi TV ad made with Veo 3

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As seen during the recent NBA Finals:

This 30 second television ad was made by Pj Accetturo, a filmmaker based out of Tampa, Florida. Here’s his full process:

“My Veo 3 viral video process is very simple.

I’ve generated 30M+ views in 3 weeks using this exact workflow:

  1. Write a rough script
  2. Use Gemini to turn it into a shot list + prompts
  3. Paste into Veo 3 (Google Flow)
  4. Edit in Capcut/FCPX/Premiere, etc.

Concept

Kalshi is a prediction market where you can trade on anything. (US legal betting)

I pitched them on a GTA VI style concept because I think that unhinged street interviews are Veo 3’s bread and butter right now.

I guarantee you that everyone will copy this soon, so might as well make it easy and give you the entire process.

Script

Their team give me a bunch of bullet points of betting markets they wanted to cover (NBA, Eggs, Hurricanes, Aliens, etc)

I then rewatched the GTA VI trailer and got inspired by a couple locations, characters, etc.

Growing up in Florida…this wasn’t a hard script to write, lol.


Prompting:

I then ask Gemini/ChatGPT to take the script and convert every shot into a detailed Veo 3 prompt. I always tell it to return 5 prompts at a time—any more than that and the quality starts to slip.

Each prompt should fully describe the scene as if Veo 3 has no context of the shot before or after it. Re-describe the setting, the character, and the tone every time to maintain consistency.

Prompt example:

A handheld medium-wide shot, filmed like raw street footage on a crowded Miami strip at night. An old white man in his late 60s struts confidently down the sidewalk, surrounded by tourists and clubgoers. He’s grinning from ear to ear, his belly proudly sticking out from a cropped pink T-shirt. He wears extremely short neon green shorts, white tube socks, beat-up sneakers, and a massive foam cowboy hat with sequins on it. His leathery tan skin glows under the neon lights.

In one hand, he clutches a tiny, trembling chihuahua to his chest like a prized accessory.

As he walks, he turns slightly toward the camera, still mid-strut, and shouts with full confidence and joy:

“Indiana got that dog in ’em!”

Trailing just behind him are two elderly women in full 1980s gear—both wearing bedazzled workout leotards, chunky sneakers, and giant plastic sunglasses. Their hair is still in curlers under clear plastic shower caps. One sips from a giant novelty margarita glass, the other waves at passing cars.

Around them, the strip is buzzing—people filming with phones, scooters zipping by, music thumping from nearby balconies. Neon signs flicker above, casting electric color across the scene. The crowd parts around the trio, half amazed, half confused.

Process

Instead of giving it 10 shots and telling ChatGPT to turn them all prompts, I find it works best when it gives you back only 3 prompts at a time.

This keeps the accuracy high.

Open up three separate windows in Veo 3 and put each prompt in there.

Run all three at the same time.

3-4 min later, you’ll get back your results. You’ll likely need to change things.

Take the first prompt back into ChatGPT and dictate what you want changed.

Then it will give you a new adjusted prompt.

Let that run while you then adjust prompt 2. Then prompt 3. Usually, by the time you’re done with prompt 3, prompt 1 has its second iteration generated.

Rinse and repeat for your whole shot list.

Tips:

I don’t know how to fix the random subtitles. I’ve tried it with and without quotes and saying (no subtitles) and it still happens. If anyone has a tip, let me know and I’ll add it to this post.

Don’t let ChatGPT describe music being played in the background or it’ll be mixed super loud.

If you want certain accents, repeat “British accent” or “country accent”, etc. a couple times, I’ve found that it will do a decent job matching the voice to the face/race/age but it helps to prompt for it.

Edit

Editing Veo 3 videos is easy.

Simply merge the clips in CapCut, FCPX, or Premiere, and add music (if necessary).

I’d love to know if anyone has found good upscale settings for Veo 3 in 720p. My tests in topaz made the faces more garbled, so I try and cover it with a bit of film grain.

I like to add a compression/bass to the Veo 3 audio because I find it to be “thin”.

Cost and Time:

This took around 300–400 generations to get 15 usable clips. One person, two days.

That’s a 95% cost reduction compared to traditional advertising.

The Future of Ads

But just because this was cheap doesn’t mean anyone can do it this quickly or effectively.  You still need experience to make it look like a real commercial.

I’ve been a director 15+ years, and just because something can be done quickly, doesn’t mean it’ll come out great. But it can if you have the right team.

The future is small teams making viral, brand-adjacent content weekly, getting 80 to 90 percent of the results for way less.

What’s the Moat for Filmmakers?

It’s attention.

Right now the most valuable skill in entertainment and advertising is comedy writing.

If you can make people laugh, they’ll watch the full ad, engage with it, and some of them will become customers.”

The BTS:

My take: high energy, for sure! That’s one detailed prompt for a three second clip.

Canadian movies, by annual box office

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In honour of our upcoming Canada Day, I thought it would be patriotic to take a look at the biggest all-time world box office numbers for Canadian movies produced in the last ten years.

See the excellent The Numbers website and their Top Canadian Movies of Each Year listings. The Top 10 by box office from 2016 to date:

Year Movie Budget Box Office
2020 Sonic The Hedgehog $90,000,000.00 $302,452,077.00
2023 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie $30,000,000.00 $201,739,292.00
2019 The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part $99,000,000.00 $192,306,508.00
2024 Paddington in Peru $75,336,729.00 $192,148,490.00
2023 Insidious: The Red Door $16,000,000.00 $186,258,928.00
2021 PAW Patrol: The Movie $26,000,000.00 $151,403,419.00
2019 Midway $100,000,000.00 $126,787,360.00
2021 The Addams Family 2 Unknown $119,383,236.00
2019 Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark $28,000,000.00 $104,793,708.00
2016 Ballerina $30,000,000.00 $96,451,584.00

The Top Ten with Biggest Return on Budget:

Year Movie Budget Box Office Return %
2023 Skinamarink $15,000.00 $2,131,183.00 14208
2023 Insidious: The Red Door (US?) $16,000,000.00 $186,258,928.00 1164
2016 The Witch $3,500,000.00 $40,364,725.00 1153
2017 My Little Pony: The Movie $6,500,000.00 $61,294,644.00 943
2016 Embrace (Australia?) $225,000.00 $1,611,592.00 716
2023 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie $30,000,000.00 $201,739,292.00 672
2021 PAW Patrol: The Movie $26,000,000.00 $151,403,419.00 582
2016 Race $5,000,000.00 $23,745,772.00 475
2019 The Lighthouse $4,000,000.00 $18,237,527.00 456

Confused by these titles? Paddington in Peru? Movies are international productions now and get certain work done in tax credit-friendly jurisdictions for the money – and the excellent work skilled artists and technicians provide, of course.

CAVCO certifies Canadian movies. The CRA then refunds money to the Canadian producers of these movies, to the tune of millions of dollars. (Wouldn’t it be nice to know which movies Canadian taxpayers are helping fund and for how much? Other than checking the credits, I don’t know of a comprehensive list. But here’s a cost report from BC.)

Is Canadian investment in Canadian movies worth it? Check Cinema of Canada to see how small the Canadian production and box office numbers actually are. And direct employment in Canadian movies is less than 8,500 people. That’s a government subsidy of something like $25,000 per job. (Someone please tell me my math is wrong.)

My take: The Hollywood Reporter recently published a list of The 51 Best Canadian Movies of All Time – now where have I heard that particular number recently? Curiously, I don’t think any of these movies appear on their list.

See Veo Prompt Examples

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Google Veo is arguably the best (but most expensive) AI video generator today. And Google Flow is arguably the best AI filmmaking tool built with and for creatives. Want to peak under the hood and reveal the prompts creating the magic? See Flow TV.

My favourites are:

NOTE: Click into a channel and select the Lightbox view. Turn on Show Prompt. Notice how detailed they can be.

My take: I think we’re beyond the “remember, it’s only going to get better” stage.

Consistent Characters on OpenArt

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Roboverse just revealed Why some Consistent AI Characters just look so good.

He demos OpenArt where you can train a consistent character from:

  • a text prompt,
  • a single image, or
  • multiple images

He says, “The character weight slider controls how strongly your character’s features are preserved in the generated image. At higher values like 0.8 or 0.9 your character’s features will be strongly preserved, resulting in very consistent appearances…. Next is the preserve key features toggle that when turned on instructs the AI to maintain a very consistent appearance, particularly for elements like clothing, hairstyle and accessories. When turned off you can change their clothing and environment while keeping their face consistent.”

And concludes:

“I’ve tested pretty much every AI platform out there and I can honestly say that OpenArt is by far the best for creating consistent characters. Nothing else even comes close.”

My take: one of the neat things on the OpenArt home page is the “See what others are creating” section that lets you know the models and prompts other artists are using. I do wish Roboverse’s text on screen didn’t flicker – cuz it tires my eyes.

What filmmakers really want to know on Reddit

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Stephen Follows analyzed over 160,000 questions on Reddit to uncover what filmmakers really ask, need and struggle with.

Amazingly, 10 questions accounted for 52% of the total. They are, quoting Stephen:

“1. What camera and gear should I buy for filmmaking on my budget?

The search for the “right” camera and kit never ends, no matter how much technology shifts. People want to know what will give them industry-standard results without breaking the bank. The conversation includes price brackets, compatibility, and whether brand or model really matters to a film’s success.

2. How do I start a career in film or get my foot in the door?

This is the practical follow-up to the film school debate. Filmmakers want straight answers about first jobs, entry points, and which cities or skills lead to real work. Many people are looking for pathways that do not depend on family connections or luck.

3. Is film school worth it or do I need to go to film school to work in the industry?

Filmmakers want clarity on the value of a formal degree versus real-world experience. They are trying to weigh debt against opportunity and want to know if there are shortcuts, hidden costs, or alternative routes into the business.

4. Which editing software should I use?

Software choice raises both budget and workflow issues. Filmmakers want to know which tools are worth learning for professional growth. Questions focus on cost, features, compatibility, and what is expected in professional settings.

5. How do I find cast, crew, or collaborators for my film?

Building a team is a constant sticking point. Most low-budget filmmakers do not have a professional network and are looking for reputable ways to meet actors, crew, or creative partners. Trust and reliability are major concerns, as is the need for effective group communication.

6. What is the legal, rights, permits, and music aspect of filmmaking?

Legal uncertainty is widespread. Filmmakers are confused about permissions, copyright, insurance, and protecting their work and collaborators. They want step-by-step advice that demystifies the paperwork.

7. How do I improve as a filmmaker, cinematographer, editor, writer, director, etc?

Self-development is a constant thread. Filmmakers search for the best courses, books, tutorials, and case studies. Clear recommendations are valued and people want to know what separates average work from great films.

8. Is my gear, equipment, location, or crew good enough for filmmaking?

Questions about minimum standards reflect deeper anxieties about competing in a crowded field. People want reassurance that their toolkit will not hold them back and want to know how far they can push limited resources.

9. How do I submit my film to festivals, distribute it, or what happens after my film is done?

People want clear instructions on taking their finished work to the next level. Festival strategies, navigating submissions, and understanding distribution channels are a minefield. Filmmakers want to know how to maximise exposure and what steps make the biggest difference.

10. How do I get feedback or critique on my work?

Constructive criticism is in high demand. Filmmakers want practical advice on scripts, edits, and showreels. They look for honest reactions to their work and advice on how to keep improving.”

My take: my answers:

  1. The camera on your smartphone is totally adequate to film your first short movie.
  2. Make your own on ramp by creating a brand somewhere online with a minimum viable product – you need to specialize and dominate that niche. Or move to a large production centre.
  3. Maybe, if you can afford it and you’re a people person. Otherwise, spend the money on your own films because every short film is an education unto itself.
  4. Davinci Resolve. Free or Studio.
  5. Your local film cooperative. Don’t have one? Start your own.
  6. Google is your friend. Don’t sweat it too much (and create your own music) for your first short festival films. As soon as your product becomes commercial, you need an entertainment lawyer on your team.
  7. Watch movies, watch tutorials, make weekend movies to practice techniques, challenge yourself. Just do it.
  8. See Answers One and Seven. Note: this is an audiovisual medium; audiences will forgive visuals that fall short but WILL NOT forgive bad sound. Luckily, great sound is easily achievable today.
  9. FilmFreeway.com
  10. Send me a link to your screener; I’ll watch anything and give you free notes on at least three things to improve.

FREE AI Video Course for Beginners

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Seattle’s Yutao Han, aka Tao Prompts, has just released a 17 minute YouTube tutorial on how to create your first, free, AI-generated short movie.

Let’s assume you already have a script. You can write, right? If not, your favourite LLM can help you ideate and flesh out your thoughts.

“To actually make the AI videos, the method we’ll be using is: Image to Video. What this means is we’ll take a reference image and then use an AI video generator to turn it into a video. After generating thousands and thousands of videos I found that using reference images is how you’re going to get the most consistent results and the highest quality overal.”

The tools he highlights for generating images?

  • Midjourney
  • ChatGPT
  • Leonardo
  • Recraft

“When you’re using Recraft the resolution of the generated images is already pretty high at 1820 by 1024. That’s plenty enough for pretty much any AI video generator to get the maximum quality.”

The AI Video Generators he highlights?

  • Kling
  • Runway
  • Google Veo
  • Sora
  • Luma Labs
  • Pika Labs
  • Hailuoai

Next processes? Generating voices, lip-syncing the audio, generating music and editing everything together.

My take: he calls this AI Animation and it does follow the traditional animation process much closer than live-action filmmaking.