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Generative AI: Revolutionizing Video & Image Production

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Video & Imagery Production is undergoing a seismic shift, thanks to the arrival of advanced AI technologies like Midjourney and Runway.

The workflow of video and image production is undergoing a seismic shift, thanks to the merging of advanced AI technologies like Midjourney v6.1 and Runway Gen-3. This powerful combination is more than just a technical marvel; it’s a transformative tool for marketing agencies, revolutionizing the way they approach video content creation.

Accelerating Production with AI Synergy

For marketing agencies, the need to produce high-quality video content quickly and efficiently is paramount. The integration of Midjourney v6.1 and Runway Gen-3 offers a solution by streamlining the pre-production process. These tools allow creators to visualize and animate storyboards at an unprecedented pace, reducing the time it takes to move from concept to final product.

This speed and flexibility mean that agencies can handle more projects simultaneously, increasing their output without sacrificing quality. By automating time-consuming tasks, AI enables teams to focus on refining creative ideas rather than getting bogged down in the technical aspects of production.

Our Experimentation:

We conducted several dozen tests and reviewed numerous articles and papers online to evaluate the integration of Generative AI in early-stage storyboard development for videos and its impact on agency workflows. The results were eye-opening.

Source Image Creation:

For this experiment, the creative brief required the following: the image must include a group of friendly seniors smiling around a smartphone at a picnic table in the summer, during golden hour. The first attempts were promising, and after a few subtle adjustments to the prompt, we began to achieve ‘realistic’ results close to stock photography.

Early experiment generating a group of Seniors.

A good start, but the image looked a bit too ‘Princess Bride,’ with colors that were far too saturated. While it’s possible to use the SREF in Midjourney and a color palette from Adobe Color to color grade your Midjourney imagery, we opted for a more hands-on approach. We created a custom color range tailored to our target, resulting in improved color balance and a higher degree of ‘believability.’ Much of the effort went into refining the output.

Array of images generated during refinement.

Our second goal was to enhance the appearance of the seniors. Initially, they appeared, forgive the ageism, too old for our demographic requirements. Finally, we adjusted the prompt to eliminate unwanted artifacts, such as seniors holding two phones instead of one and glasses melting into the table.

Final image chosen for use in video storyboard.

The final image did more than achieve the creative brief baseline requirements – it created a “feeling”. You can almost feel the warmth of a late summer day and the joy of the gathered Seniors. With the image and prompts finalized our next step was to move over to Video Gen.

Video Generation:

Since we would just be using AI Video Generation as a storyboard and not for broadcast we ran the first series as “vanilla prompts”. This allowed us to quickly generate action that could be placed in the storyboard sample with lots of room for feedback and adjustment.

Early stage test of AI Generative Video

Our initial tests yielded the expected otherworldly creations; the video starts off normally but quickly spirals into a surreal, science fiction fever-dream with all but one of the Seniors sliding into oblivion. Applying a revised prompt set and rethinking the scene resulted in a new direction more in line with the requirements.

Late stage test of AI Generative Video

The results are nothing short of fascinating, the motion is smooth and the Seniors appear to be in a natural setting acting normally. There are still some anomalies that are fine-tuned out of the finished video. For example in the sample video above you will notice on the left side of the scene the smartphone morphs into the pint glass. A few more edits to the prompt will resolve this.

Given the time and resources typically needed for custom video production or extensive research across stock agencies, the speed of this process is remarkably faster. Even more exciting is that we are only at the dawn of this technology.

Cost Reduction and Enhanced Creative Output

The financial benefits of this AI-driven approach are significant. By reducing the time and resources required for video production, agencies can lower costs for their clients while delivering even more compelling content. This efficiency opens up opportunities for smaller businesses to access high-quality video production, which was previously only within reach of larger companies with bigger budgets.

Moreover, the enhanced creative capabilities of these AI tools allow for rapid prototyping and experimentation. Agencies can quickly test and iterate on ideas, ensuring that the final product aligns perfectly with the client’s vision. This ability to fine-tune creative concepts on the fly is a game-changer for marketing campaigns, where the margin for error is often slim.

While AI can automate certain aspects of video creation, it lacks the nuanced understanding of brand voice, audience preferences, and emotional resonance that only human creators can bring.

The Human Element: Essential and Irreplaceable

Despite the incredible advancements in AI technology, the human element remains crucial in the production process. While AI can automate certain aspects of video creation, it lacks the nuanced understanding of brand voice, audience preferences, and emotional resonance that only human creators can bring.

The role of the human in this AI-driven workflow is to guide and shape the creative direction, ensuring that the content not only meets technical standards but also connects with viewers on a deeper level. AI tools serve as powerful assistants, augmenting human creativity but never replacing it. This collaboration between human ingenuity and machine efficiency is where the true potential of AI in video production lies.

Transforming the Advertising and Entertainment Industries

The impact of this AI merging extends beyond marketing agencies to the broader advertising and entertainment industries. The ability to rapidly prototype ideas and create high-quality visual content democratizes the production process, making it accessible to a wider range of creators, from seasoned professionals to enthusiastic hobbyists.

As this technology continues to evolve, we’re likely to see a shift in how visual media is consumed and interacted with. The lines between imagination and realization are becoming increasingly blurred, allowing for more immersive and personalized storytelling experiences.

Impact on Traditional Video Production:

AI tools are transforming video production by automating many aspects of the process, such as editing, special effects, and even scriptwriting. This automation can greatly speed up production timelines and reduce costs, enabling agencies to produce more content with fewer resources. For smaller teams or independent creators, AI provides access to high-quality production tools that were once out of reach.

However, this increased efficiency could lead to a reduction in the demand for certain roles, such as video editors, animators, and even directors. As AI becomes more sophisticated, the need for manual intervention in repetitive or technical tasks will decrease, potentially leading to job losses in these areas.

Impact on Stock Agencies:

AI-generated content also poses a challenge to traditional stock agencies. With AI tools capable of creating high-quality images, videos, and even audio, the reliance on stock libraries may diminish. Creators can now generate custom content tailored to their specific needs without having to sift through existing libraries. This shift could reduce demand for traditional stock footage and images, impacting the revenue streams of stock agencies.

Potential Job Losses:

While AI has the potential to displace certain jobs, it’s important to recognize that it also creates new opportunities. Jobs focused on AI tool development, data analysis, and AI integration into creative processes will likely grow. Additionally, roles that require a high degree of creativity, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence—skills that AI currently cannot replicate—will remain essential.

The key for professionals in the industry will be to adapt to these changes by learning to work alongside AI, using it as a tool to enhance their capabilities rather than viewing it as a replacement. Those who can harness the power of AI to augment their creativity and productivity will find new opportunities in the evolving landscape of video production and stock media.

The importance of the human touch in this process cannot be overstated.

The Future of Storytelling

The future of video production is here, and it’s powered by AI. For marketing agencies, embracing this technology means not only staying competitive but also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in creative content creation.

However, the importance of the human touch in this process cannot be overstated. As we move forward into this new era of AI-driven production, the collaboration between human creativity and AI efficiency will be the key to unlocking new levels of innovation and storytelling.

Lights, Camera, Branding: The Power of Video Narratives

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Video narratives allow you to tell the exact story you want to convey to your audience.

The power of video to raise awareness and build a brand cannot be understated. A well planned strategic long-form video can educate the viewer within several minutes, or peak their interest with a short form series of 15 second clips.

Launching a new brand, creating a marketing campaign or seeking to rejuvenate an existing product line all benefit from a targeted video narrative. In this blog post, we’ll explore the art of using video but also the science of analytics to learn about the audience and respond.


The remarkable power of video to sell a new idea.

Video has a unique ability to engage, inspire, and emotionally connect with the viewer especially with a new or complex concept. Video can quickly educate the viewer on updated technical aspects or unique features. Combining visuals, audio, and narrative to create a compelling and memorable experience about your service, product or organization. With a strategic approach, video can be a powerful tool to convey your brand’s identity and values as well.

Take a moment to watch the video below…

TCP – Climate Safe

This video was produced for The Copernicus Project as a preliminary proof-of-concept narrative of an IoT local climate security solution. Created for an audience of investors and partners it is designed to replicate what the real world experience might look like in the field.

The power of the imagery and music set the tone of technology and cutting-edge innovation. The animations convey a clear message of local conditions and the potential for monitoring and alerting to strong weather events.

The absence of a voice-over reinforces the meditative quality of the story while the music provides a steady beat for the changing imagery. For the target audience (of early investors and partners) this video functions as a defacto “Elevator Pitch” – all in less than 2 minutes.

Three samples of Video Narratives for new ideas:

1. Craft a Compelling Origin Story:

Every brand has an origin story. Use video to narrate how your brand came into existence. Share the passion, inspiration, and vision that led to its creation. A well-crafted origin story can resonate with viewers and establish an emotional connection.

2. Visualize Your Brand’s Values:

Video allows you to showcase your brand’s core values and principles in action. Whether it’s environmental sustainability, social responsibility, or innovation, use visuals to reinforce your commitment to these values.

3. Demonstrate Unique Features and Benefits:

If your brand offers a unique product or service, demonstrate its features and benefits through video. Show how it solves a problem or enhances the lives of your customers.

Re-establishing Existing Brands

The “Think Different” campaign, launched in 1997, was a pivotal moment for Apple. At that time, Apple was in a challenging position, facing competition from Microsoft and struggling with its market share. The campaign, including the “Here’s to the crazy ones” ad, was designed to reposition Apple as an innovative and forward-thinking brand.

Apple – Here’s to the crazy ones / Think Different

Internally, the ad had a profound effect on Apple’s employees and staff. At that time, the company was going through internal challenges, and the ad served as a rallying cry to reignite a sense of purpose and pride among Apple employees.

The “Think Different” campaign, including the “Here’s to the crazy ones” ad, remains one of the most iconic and memorable marketing efforts in the history of advertising and played a pivotal role in Apple’s resurgence as a brand associated with innovation and creativity.

How to Re-establish an Existing Brand with video:

1. Reimagine Your Brand Identity:

Over time, brands may evolve or reposition themselves. Video narratives provide a dynamic platform to reintroduce your brand to your audience. Showcase the transformation, explain the reasons behind it, and reignite interest.

2. Humanize Your Brand:

People connect with people, not just products or logos. Use video to put a human face on your brand. Feature employees, share their stories, and highlight the human element behind your brand’s success.

3. Address Challenges and Solutions:

If your brand has faced challenges or controversies, address them openly through video narratives. Transparency and authenticity can help rebuild trust and loyalty. Share the steps you’ve taken to overcome obstacles and improve.

Case Study in Video Brand Collage

A Video Brand Collage is a visual and audio representation that combines various video clips, images, graphics, and audio elements to create a comprehensive and engaging portrayal of a brand’s identity, values, products, or services. It serves as a dynamic and multi-dimensional way to showcase a brand’s story, personality, and offerings to its target audience.

Video Brand Collages are commonly used in digital marketing campaigns, including social media, websites, email marketing, and online advertisements. They provide a visually appealing way to communicate with audiences across various platforms.

Colt – Building a stronger America

This video brand collage was developed by Velocity Ascent to support the pre-launch of Colt’ Firearms’s Apparel line for men. The video is designed to evoke the rich colorful history of Colt and the world where it established its historical position.

Lights, camera, branding—it’s time to let your brand’s story shine on the screen – whatever form factor that might be; smartphone, handheld, laptop, desktop, TV.

The authenticity of the timeless brand elements and apparel, combined with a contemporary cinematic musical score, immediately establishes the tone and style with team members and the retail apparel community. It also provides a platform for displaying Colt’s commitment to a high quality product.

One Recipe for Effective Video Narratives:

Storytelling: Craft a compelling narrative that resonates with your target audience. Use storytelling techniques to create an emotional connection and leave a lasting impression.

Visual Excellence: Invest in high-quality visuals and production values. Engaging cinematography, graphics, and animation can elevate your brand’s image.

Authenticity and Transparency: Be authentic in your storytelling. Audiences appreciate transparency and honesty. Address both successes and challenges with a healthy reality-check.

Distribution Strategy: Develop a strategic plan for sharing your video narratives. Utilize social media, your website, email marketing, and other channels to maximize reach.

This is just one option for creating an Effective Video Narrative there are many more – each one tailored to the use and audience.

Within the myriad of values video provides as a medium, most valuable is the ability to totally control the message and meaning. Crafting a linear storyline through the brand, the experience and the unique attributes of the product or service.

Conclusion: The Future of Branding Is Visual Video

Attention spans are shrinking, and competition is fierce, video narratives have emerged as a formidable tool for brand storytelling. They can transcend language barriers, evoke a range of emotions, and create lasting impressions with your audience. By harnessing the power of video, we can collaborate and tell your brand’s story in a way that captures hearts, minds, and market share.

Shameless Plug:

The small, robust, and nimble team at Velocity Ascent excell at crafting and defining narrative videos. Guided by an unwavering commitment to best practices in storytelling, combined with a deep understanding of user needs, societal trends and preferences, forms the bedrock of exceptional design and production outcomes. Our goal is to craft stories that activate the viewer.

Want to learn more – get in touch!