Artificial Intelligence (AI) Used Extensively in Photography, Drone, Audio and Video Production at Florida Panhandle Technical College

By | April 7, 2024

Students in the Photography, Video Production and Television Production programs at Florida Panhandle Technical College in Chipley, Florida find themselves steeped in the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The process started within the last year, when AI has become mainstream.

The new technologies possible through AI have become a large component of standard programs such as the Adobe suite of programs inclusive of Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Audition, After Effects and more.

Instructor Paul Goulding says, ‘Incorporating AI into video production offers a multitude of advantages, however, the question arises as to how and when it should be employed, and whether copyright infringement becomes an issue’.

To provide some insight, here are several instances of utilizing AI within this context.

Photography: AI-based programs can now generate an unending supply of faces, in the form of portraits, headshots or full-body mannikins. OpenAI, or open-source AI programming allows this for free, while using the resident computer for the generation, instead of using an online-based module. 

Scriptwriting: Writing scripts can sometimes be challenging, particularly when faced with writer’s block and time constraints. In such situations, seeking assistance from ChatGPT, or one of the many ChatGPT clones, may prove beneficial.

While it may not generate entirely original concepts, it can provide a starting point to overcome creative stagnation.

Subtitles: Subtitle creation for videos is now effortless thanks to platforms like Descript and Peech, but also contained as an integral part of the Adobe programs.

These tools employ artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically transcribe the audio into text. After reviewing and making any necessary adjustments, you can obtain your finalized subtitles in under 24 hours.

Narration or Voiceover: If you need to audibly convey information in a video, but lack a suitable narrator, there is an alternative.

Platforms such as Speechify, Lovo, and Murf offer solutions. Simply select the desired voice, input your text, and let the technology do its magic. Although these AI-generated voices may not always sound as natural as human speakers, they are sufficient for functional purposes.

Animation: AI-based tools can assist in creating basic animations. For instance, Kaiber can generate an animation based on an image or reference video provided by the user.

The resulting animation adheres to the desired style. To illustrate this capability, refer to Linkin Park’s music video for “Lost,” which was entirely produced using Kaiber AI.

On the other hand, Deep Motion can transform a video of a person moving into an animation without requiring expensive motion capture equipment.

Video Editing: AI is revolutionizing post-production in videos, with innovative tools emerging continuously. Platforms such as Runway and Descript enable even novice users to execute smooth video edits.

Adobe Premiere Pro has incorporated AI-assisted video editing features to remain competitive in the market.

Video Production: Tools such as Synthesia, Elai, and D-ID empower you to produce ‘talking head’ videos for various purposes with ease.

By simply inputting your script, selecting an avatar, and refining details through a user-friendly interface, these platforms can generate hours of high-quality videos. They significantly reduce costs and time spent on localization and scaling processes.

Although artificial intelligence (AI) offers numerous benefits in video production, such as enhancing editing processes and boosting efficiency, it is not a substitute for human expertise. While AI can be valuable, its effectiveness depends on the involvement of skilled AI operators and production editors who possess extensive knowledge about the process.

One of the challenges associated with employing AI tools in real-life applications is their complexity. While these technologies can generate impressive outcomes, they often require significant refinement based on user input.

This iterative process may take time and practice to master. To effectively incorporate AI into your workflow, it is essential to gain experience in crafting suitable prompts that yield predictable and satisfactory results.

Florida Panhandle Technical College continues to push the envelope in innovation, constantly upgrading the array of production programs available, to satisfy the marketplace demand for drone pilots, film creators, cinematographers, television production technicians, audio engineers and content creators.

Call 850-638-1180 Extension 6317, stop by 757 Hoyt Street in Chipley or email paul.goulding@fptc.edu for more information about the Photography, Video Technology, Audio, Drone and Television Production Programs at Florida Panhandle Technical College, with financial aid available but limited seating.