Luma brings AI video editing one step closer to real filmmaking.
The a16z-backed startup has released Ray3 Modify, a new model that allows creators to modify existing video footage while keeping the original human performance intact.
Creators can now tweak scenes that have already been shot, rather than recreating them from scratch. The actor's movements remain the same. The emotions remain the same. Only the visuals change.
For creative teams, this is a big problem.
Why performance is always the difficult part
AI video tools are powerful, but they often miss something important: realism. When AI edits footage, subtle things tend to get corrupted. Eye contact shifts. The timing feels off. Emotions become flat.
Luma says Ray3 Modify was built to solve just that problem.
The model faithfully reproduces the source footage. Maintain the actor's movement, pace, gaze, and emotional expression. Studios now have the flexibility of AI-driven editing while still using real actors.
Think of this as redrawing the scene without touching the performance underneath.
How Ray3 Modify actually works
The workflow is simple but powerful.
Creators upload original footage. Then you can:
- Add character reference images to change actor appearance
- Be consistent in costume, identity, and likeness
- Maintains the movement and expression of the original take
This makes it possible to transform a human actor into a different character without having to reshoot.
Guide the scene by start and end frames
Ray3 Modify also gives users more precise control over transitions. The creator can provide a start and end frame, and the model will fill in the motion between them.
This helps with:
- Smooth transitions between scenes
- Control character movement
- Consistent movement throughout the shot
This is especially useful when continuity is important, such as brand campaigns or narrative projects.
Blending camera and AI control
According to Amit Jain, co-founder and CEO of Luma, the goal is uncompromising control. In his words, creative teams can capture real-world performance and reconstruct it with AI.
This means you can change locations, costumes, and even reshoot scenes digitally without having to return to set.
For studios, it saves time, money and stress.
Available through Dream Machine
Ray3 Modify is now available through Luma's Dream Machine platform. The company added video modification capabilities earlier this year, and this release builds directly on that work.
Luma competes in a crowded space alongside tools like Runway and Kling. But its focus on preserving real-world performance sets it apart.
Backed by large amounts of money and big plans
The launch follows a massive $900 million funding round announced in November. The round was led by Humane, an AI company backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Existing investors also participated, including a16z, Amplify Partners, and Matrix Partners.
Luma also plans to partner with Humain to build a 2-gigawatt AI computing cluster in Saudi Arabia. Its scale suggests serious ambition.
Why this matters to creators
Ray3 Modify shows you where your AI video is headed. We aim for authentic, AI-enhanced performance rather than fully synthetic content.
For filmmakers, brands, and studios, that balance may be just what they've been waiting for.
