AI and Visual Effects: Where It Saves Time and Where It Still Falls Short

Visual effects (VFX) have always been a cornerstone of filmmaking. They extend the possible, blending imagination with reality to create worlds, characters, and stories that couldn’t exist otherwise. Today, Artificial Intelligence is beginning to reshape this space—promising faster workflows, cleaner edits, and even automated artistry. But as with every new tool in filmmaking, the question isn’t just what AI can do—it’s what role it should play.

Where AI Helps in VFX

AI is at its strongest in areas where repetition and precision are required.

• Rotoscoping & Masking
  Cutting subjects out frame by frame has traditionally been one of the most time-consuming tasks in VFX. AI can now automate much of this, saving countless hours.

• Background Cleanup
  Removing wires, rigs, and unwanted elements from a shot can now be done in seconds with AI-powered tools that “understand” context.

• Pre-Visualization (Previs)
  AI can generate concept visuals, simulating camera moves or lighting setups. While these are rough, they help teams align early.

• Upscaling & Restoration
  Old or low-resolution footage can be cleaned up, sharpened, and even colorized through AI, extending the life of archival material.

By stepping into these technical areas, AI clears the way for artists to focus on storytelling.

Where AI Still Falls Short

Despite the progress, AI cannot yet replace the artistry required for complex or nuanced effects.

• Complex Compositing
  Layering multiple visual elements into a seamless, believable frame still demands human judgment. AI may stitch pieces together, but it can’t interpret the feel of realism.

• Style Consistency
  Every project has a unique tone. AI tends to flatten styles, leaning on averages rather than vision. A horror film and a family drama require entirely different visual rhythms—something AI struggles to distinguish.

• Cultural and Emotional Nuance
  Storytelling through VFX isn’t just technical—it’s symbolic. Machines may miss the subtleties of why certain colors, textures, or movements carry meaning in specific contexts.

In short, AI can process the how, but not the why.

The Human Role in VFX

What makes film powerful isn’t just seamless effects—it’s effects that serve story. A director deciding how long to hold on a shot, or an artist choosing the texture of light in a scene, are decisions rooted in human imagination.

• Humans connect the technical to the emotional.

• Humans understand cultural context and symbolism.

• Humans can take creative risks that algorithms cannot calculate.

AI may be able to suggest, but only filmmakers can create meaning.

Guardrails for Using AI Wisely

As AI tools become more integrated into VFX pipelines, filmmakers need to use them responsibly.

• Credit the Artist: Make sure automation doesn’t erase the recognition of human contributions.

• Maintain Oversight: Don’t let AI outputs pass unchecked—always refine with human review.

• Protect Originality: Use AI to assist, not to replace creative risk-taking.

The goal isn’t to hand over artistry but to protect it while leveraging efficiency.

Final Thoughts

AI is changing VFX, but not replacing it. It is most powerful in the background—automating repetitive processes, cleaning up shots, and helping teams visualize possibilities. But the artistry that gives visual effects their weight—the symbolism, the pacing, the storytelling—remains firmly in human hands.

At Fragrant Film, we see AI not as a threat but as a partner. It accelerates workflow, but it cannot replicate vision. And in a world where stories shape culture, vision is what matters most.