KARAMAZOO, Michigan — 3D video is what you would normally expect to come out of a high-tech visual production studio.
Western Michigan University student William Cammell uses artificial intelligence to create such videos from his living room desktop.
Cammell, a fourth-year film and media studies major, uses software to create innovative, artistic video productions that blend digital work with real-world filming. He and his roommate Chris Sobieck founded C&C Visuals, his visual design company that provides photography, videography and CGI services.
We can do anything from wedding photography to music videos.
“It’s a powerful tool,” says Cammell. “Before, I used to take things that were already there and arrange them to tell my own story. is the limit of the 3D space of
The video below shows some examples of their work.
Cammell uses open-source graphics software called Blender to create 3D environments in which footage can be integrated. AI is used to speed up traditional editing and mimic how certain changes and visual effects behave in the real world.
For example, to fine-tune the lighting of a visual, the computer shows in real time how the light behaves.
“These calculations are instantaneous,” says Cammell. “So without AI, and without teaching the computer how light bounces, it’s not possible.”
A tool called “auto rotoscoping” can also select objects and remove them from each frame of the video. Without AI, you would have to manually remove the object each frame. “Stable Diffusion” also uses artificial intelligence to create images in videos from text prompts.
Neither Cammell nor Sobieck had any formal training in videography or CGI prior to joining WMU, Cammell said. They said that over the past two years he has taught himself how to work in 3D space.
“[Sobiek]was doing engagement shoots and things like that. “That’s what inspired C&C’s visuals, too.”
Cammell says Blender can be used by a wide variety of people, not just film students. Students in other disciplines, such as interior design, can use the software to create room layouts and graphics. Cammell said he had not heard from anyone else at WMU using the technology.
“Like the curriculum, it seems like a disadvantage not to teach it in schools,” Cammell said. “I would love to see a push in that direction.”
WMU communications professor Chad Edwards said Cammell is “on the cutting edge” of incorporating AI into film and media.
“Will is a very good self-starter and self-taught many of these aspects,” said Edwards. “But at the same time, all students should explore the use of artificial intelligence, no matter what industry they enter.”
Cammell said the software was difficult to learn at first, but technology is moving in the direction of AI and will give those who know it a competitive edge.
“This is the future because you can really do anything,” says Cammell. “For the love of God he downloads Blender and learns. It’s hard, but if you learn it and stay up late, you can achieve great exponential growth.”
One of Cammell’s pieces of advice for new creatives is to be open to new challenges.
“Don’t expect AI to work,” said Cammell. “You have to work on it. You have to figure out how to incorporate it into your workflow.”
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