Fix it in prep

That’s our motto, and nothing beats a well-made storyboard. Every project is different. We’ve used everything from quick sketches on paper to detailed Unreal Engine previz. It's always fun to compare these early visuals with the final product.

For our book trailer, The Land Without Color, we designed a few technical shots that blended practical effects with post-production enhancements. Storyboarding gave our Special FX artist a clear vision and helped us map out the plates for the final composite.

Ben sketched each frame on an iPad Pro using Procreate, and Julien handled most of the compositing in After Effects — from initial concept to final delivery.

For the First Responders General Motors appreciation video, we had an ambitious shot list with multiple locations to cover. Using Previs Pro on an iPad, we planned every shot in advance — avoiding hesitation on set and making sure we stayed on schedule.

While the app required some effort upfront to build the scenes with 3D assets, the benefits were significant. We could easily move the virtual camera around, and experiment with camera angles and focal lengths. It even allowed us to adjust the lighting, as the schedule of some scenes shifted, closer to production. This kept our storyboard accurate and ready for the pre-pro meeting the day before filming.

For our Ford Mobile Service commercial, The Castle, our producer put together a one-pager, featuring concept art designed by Ben using generative  AI — the striking image of a Ford Mustang parked in front of a vampire's mansion. This helped convince the client that the concept was worth pursuing.

The concept art naturally evolved into a full storyboard, visualizing every beat of the spot. When the project pivoted from a Ford Mustang to an F-150, we quickly adapted the boards using in-painting tools to seamlessly incorporate the new vehicle.

Unlike interpretative iPad sketches or Previs Pro images, generative AI produces photorealistic renderings. These left little room for interpretation, helping the agency and client align on mood and tone early. This clarity allowed us to confidently execute a look that leaned darker than typical commercial work, knowing we were meeting everyone’s expectations.

On set, we didn’t rely heavily on the storyboards in discussions with the DoP, instead composing shots based on the location and schedule. Despite this, his work closely matched the mood and tone originally set in the boards. Take a look.

In our journey as filmmakers, we've embraced a variety of tools, from traditional drawing to 3D rendering and now AI. While our methods evolve, the fundamentals of storytelling remain the same. Blending these tools with timeless creative principles keeps us inspired and pushes us to explore new possibilities. Stay curious.

The BakunawAI - exploring generative AI in filmmaking

Over the past year, we’ve embraced generative AI in pre-production, using it to visualize ideas and improve communication with clients and crew. It’s become an invaluable tool in our creative process.

Out of curiosity, we decided to push the boundaries of this technology. Ben crafted a short teaser entirely using AI-generated videos — an exploratory experiment with no ties to any IP or project, letting us focus on creativity without the pressure of specific outcomes.

Our audio workflow was done traditionally, collaborating with a voice artist and a sound designer, who also handled the mixing. The music track was licensed online.

This project allowed us to see the potential of AI tools, but also to understand their limitations.

As artists, we strive to maintain full control over the images we produce, rather than letting AI dictate the outcome. While Ben successfully achieved the aesthetic he envisioned, the process remains complex and often requires significant trial and error to perfect each shot.

Gen AI is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with tools improving monthly, providing creators with ever greater control and precision.

We'll keep exploring. Stay tuned.