Vallée Duhamel Explores AI in Filmmaking with ‘After Light’

Montreal-based
directing
duo
Vallée
Duhamel,
composed
of
Julien
Vallée
and
Eve
Duhamel,
recently
shared
insights
into
their
latest
project, ‘After
Light,’
a
mixed-media
experience
that
leverages
AI
tools.
In
an
interview,
Julien
Vallée
discussed
the
creation
process
and
the
impact
of
AI
on
their
creative
workflow.

AI
and
Creativity

According
to
Vallée
Duhamel, ‘After
Light’
emerged
as
a
response
to
the
pervasive
anxiety
surrounding
AI.
Julien
Vallée
explained
that
the
project
allowed
them
to
explore
AI
tools
in
a
more
comfortable
and
creative
manner.
The
duo
found
that
working
with
AI,
particularly
Runway,
opened
up
new
possibilities
for
their
work,
enabling
them
to
achieve
ideas
without
the
need
for
extensive
technical
skills.

Initial
Concept
and
Evolution

The
original
idea
for ‘After
Light’
began
with
a
desire
to
understand
and
utilize
AI
tools
creatively.
The
project
started
with
archival
footage
from
a
shoot
in
Desert
Shores,
California,
featuring
krump
dancer
Darren
“Outrage”
King.
This
footage,
combined
with
other
elements
and
processed
through
Runway,
led
to
the
creation
of
unique
visual
styles
and
compositions.

Integration
of
Filmed
and
Generated
Content

The
duo
used
a
mix
of
traditionally
filmed
footage
and
generated
content
to
craft ‘After
Light.’
They
employed
lo-fi
equipment,
such
as
iPhones,
to
capture
different
elements
and
combined
them
with
music
video
archives
and
past
project
outtakes.
This
approach
allowed
them
to
create
a
seamless
blend
of
filmed
and
generated
media.

AI’s
Impact
on
Filmmaking

Julien
Vallée
noted
that
working
with
AI
tools
like
Runway
required
significant
curation
and
reworking
of
the
output.
Despite
the
perception
that
AI
simplifies
the
creative
process,
the
duo
found
that
achieving
the
desired
results
often
involved
substantial
effort
and
iteration.
The
unpredictable
nature
of
AI-generated
content
also
introduced
a
dynamic
element
to
the
workflow,
necessitating
continuous
adaptation
and
experimentation.

Changing
Perspectives

The
release
of ‘After
Light’
prompted
a
shift
in
conversations
about
AI
within
Vallée
Duhamel’s
community.
The
project
demonstrated
the
potential
of
AI
to
enhance
storytelling
and
creativity,
leading
to
more
positive
discussions
about
the
technology’s
role
in
the
industry.
The
duo
emphasized
the
importance
of
maintaining
human
connection
and
traditional
filmmaking
techniques,
even
as
they
embraced
new
AI-driven
possibilities.

Title
Significance
and
Future
Outlook

The
title ‘After
Light’
is
a
play
on ‘After
Life,’
symbolizing
new
approaches
to
filmmaking.
Vallée
Duhamel
expressed
their
commitment
to
integrating
traditional
and
AI-driven
methods,
highlighting
the
importance
of
instincts
and
human
collaboration
in
their
work.
They
also
acknowledged
the
ongoing
debates
about
AI’s
role
in
filmmaking,
viewing
it
as
a
significant
yet
rapidly
evolving
revolution.

For
more
information
on
Vallée
Duhamel
and
their
projects,
visit
their

website
or
follow
them
on
Instagram.

Image
source:
Shutterstock