Midway Cinema - Traditional Storytelling & Filmmaking with AI Tools

5.0

(3 ratings)

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3 Weeks

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Cohort-based Course

Discover AI filmmaking by creating your own AI short film or movie trailer. No experience is necessary; all levels of curiosity are welcome.

Course overview

Ask yourself these questions before reading anything further.

1. Are you prepared to learn how to create a powerful AI short film or AI movie trailer?


2. Are you prepared to create an electronic press kit to attract attention and talent to your AI film?


3. Are you prepared to learn how to write a story, turn it into a script, turn that script into a storyboard, and turn that storyboard into a visually stunning piece of AI cinema over two weeks of immersive learning?


If you answered yes to these questions, then keep reading because this course was built for you.


Dive into the world of Midway Cinema and brace yourself for a two-week immersive course that's tailor-made for creators of all levels. Discover how to turn a simple idea into a unique and personal AI short film or AI movie trailer.


In Course 1, you'll learn how to use Midjourney, empowering you to create captivating storyboards and unleash your imagination in pre-production like never before. Discover Runway, where you'll generate footage and shots that will be the building blocks of your cinematic masterpiece. Use Eleven Labs to bring your characters to life with unique voices and personalities, and a variety of tools from Adobe will help you bring it all together into your short AI film or AI trailer.


By the end of Course 1, you'll have a completed script, an AI-enhanced storyboard, an AI short film or trailer, and an electronic press kit to attract attention and talent to your AI Cinema.


Welcome to Midway Cinema, where imagination meets AI.


*Students do not need to download or install any software before the start of this course.


*All enrolled students will receive information regarding the software and tools we will use in this course.




Who should take the Midway Cinema Course 1?

01

Artists, this course will immediately bring you up to speed on a variety of creative AI tools designed to enhance storyboard skill sets

02

Filmmakers, take traditional filmmaking skills & learn how to use them with creative AI tools, bringing your story to life faster than ever

03

You can be at any level of learning and discover how to use creative AI tools to tell your stories through AI cinema

Traditional Storytelling Meets AI

Learn how to create engaging and relatable stories
  • Learn how to use timeless writing methods that will create stories that are more engaging and relatable to readers, making your story more memorable
  • Discover traditional storytelling techniques that stand the test of time
  • Connect with audiences across all cultures and generations
Discover how to use legacy tools and creative AI tools for AI cinematic production
  • Learn how traditional filmmaking enhances AI cinema projects
  • Turn your story into a short AI film or trailer with stunning visuals, an AI-enhanced storyboard, and an electronic press kit
  • Build new workflows combining Adobe Creative Suite, Eleven Labs, Midjourney, and Runway
Develop an AI-enhanced storyboard for pre-production, pitch meetings, and more
  • Develop an AI-enhanced storyboard for your cast and crew to reference in pre-production
  • Use your short AI film or AI trailer as proof of concept to help attract attention to your film
  • Showcase your storyboard and AI cinema in your next pitch meeting
Create an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) to draw attention to your film with industry-standard professionalism
  • All your information is up-to-date in one place
  • An EPK is essential for filmmakers of all kinds, highlighting your work and professionalism
  • Your EPK will include a press release, director's statement, your bio, production stills, your AI cinema, contact information, and more
Become an AI Advocate and learn about the ethics of using creative AI tools
  • Learn ethical insights for responsible AI creativity with societal impact
  • Apply ethical awareness to navigate the complexities of AI and make informed decisions in your artistic pursuits
  • Analyze the moral dimensions of AI creations, ensuring ethically conscious creativity

Your Instructor

Milan Cucuk

Milan Cucuk

Writer-Director | Traditional and AI Filmmaker

Hey! I'm Milan Cucuk.


(pronounced meh-lawn que-cuk)


I was raised in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley in California before moving to Salt Lake City, where I volunteered for the Sundance Film Festival from 2007 to 2016. I hold a BFA in Film and Media Arts from the University of Utah, and my portfolio includes screenplays, a novel, and several short films I wrote, directed and produced.


My first short AI film, "1,000 Miles" (2023), has been featured in Forbes, won the award for Best Experimental Film in the Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival and the Florence Film Awards, and was a semi-finalist in the Austin International Art Festival, Paris International Short Festival, and Nashville Independent Filmmakers Festival.


Throughout 2024, I'll teach this writing course, "Narrative Alchemy," and my AI filmmaking course, "Midway Cinema." Feel free to check that course out here: bit.ly/aicinema.


I'm also a member of the Creative Partner Program by Runway, the company that has made AI cinema a reality for storytellers.


Lastly, I spend my time outside of teaching my classes focusing on my filmmaking career, and I'm currently in pre-production for two films I'm writing and directing.


Looking forward to seeing you in class!

What do Midway Cinema Course 1 students receive for $499?

What do Midway Cinema Course 1 students receive for $499?

AI cinema training from a traditional filmmaker

Students will gain invaluable insights and expertise from Milan Cucuk, a seasoned filmmaker and storyteller with a background in traditional filmmaking. Milan will guide students into the future, using years of traditional storytelling techniques to bring each student's story to life with AI cinema.

Customized AI Portfolio

After completing Course 1, students will leave with a completed script, an AI-enhanced storyboard, a captivating AI short film or trailer, and an electronic press kit to attract attention and talent to their remarkable new skill sets and talents.

Learn to produce AI Cinema shorts and trailers like "1,000 Miles"

Learn to produce AI Cinema shorts and trailers like "1,000 Miles"

1,000 Miles | AI Cinema

"1,000 Miles is the story of Axel, a down-on-his-luck space trash collector who abandons his post to rescue a girl he heard on a distress call.

Produced with tools used in this course

"1,000 Miles" was produced using all the tools featured in this course, including Adobe, Eleven Labs, Midjourney, and Runway.

Featured in Forbes August 2023

"1,000 Miles" was featured in Forbes in August 2023. The article discusses Milan's work and showcases how cinematic AI shorts demonstrate the disruptive potential of AI-enabled content production.


You can read the article here Bit.ly/ForbesMDC

2023 Winner | Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival

"1,000 Miles" has been invited to screen at domestic and international film festivals and has won the award for Best Experimental Film at the Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival in July 2023.


Explore the Athens Film Festival Filmfreeway.com/AIMAFF

5.0

(3 ratings)

AI Cinema | The Next Renaissance

        “Watching Milan bring stories to life through Generative AI has shown us it’s not just a dream – it’s possible. Now, it’s our turn to catch up and keep pushing the boundaries of filmmaking with these remarkable tools.”
Daniel Novotny

Daniel Novotny

Production Designer | "Gaslit" TV Series (2022), Gotham (2018-2019)
        "1,000 Miles" and the other emerging cinematic AI shorts demonstrate the disruptive potential of AI-enabled content production. Anyone can now make the greatest game or movie or comic book universe of all time, with no art or coding skills, no actors, nor studio or distributor."
Charlie Fink

Charlie Fink

Former tech executive covering AI, XR, and The Metaverse for Forbes.
        "Seeing "1,000 Miles" now is what it must have been like back in 1878 watching The Horse in Motion, the very first motion picture, for the first time. Milan is on the cusp of a new cinematic frontier, and I couldn't be more excited to take my first step in AI filmmaking with him during his upcoming Midway Cinema course."
Gregg Simon

Gregg Simon

Director | "Captive" Feature (2023), "All American" TV Series (2019)
        "1,000 Miles" is an incredible piece of AI cinema that has made me stop wondering if AI filmmaking is possible. It's here."
Jeff Renfroe

Jeff Renfroe

Director | "Chucky" TV Series (2021–2022), "The Colony" Feature (2013)

1,000 Miles Part 1 | AI Cinema by Milan Cucuk

1,000 Miles Part 2 | AI Cinema by Milan Cucuk

Runway's Creative Partners Program

Runway's Creative Partners Program

At the end of Course 1

Students will be encouraged to join the Runway Creative Partner Program by submitting their work produced in this course.


Submissions to the program are optional but encouraged.

Program Benefits

  • Exclusive access to new Runway tools & models
  • Networking with cutting-edge artists & creators
  • Complimentary Unlimited Plan
  • 1 Million Credits

Disclaimer

Taking Midway Cinema Course 1 does not guarantee your submission to the Creative Partners Program will be accepted. Submissions to the Runway Creative Partner Program are processed through Runway and not through this course.

Student and Teacher Discounts

Student and Teacher Discounts

Students

When you sign up for Midway Cinema Course 1, use your student email to receive a discount code for 20% off Course 1. Your discount code will be unique and only work properly if you use your student email.


For questions or comments, please email Info@MilanCucuk.com

Teachers

When you sign up for Midway Cinema Course 1, use your employee email to receive a discount code for 30% off Course 1. Your discount code will be unique and only work properly if you use your employee email.


For questions or comments, please email info@MilanCucuk.com

Midway Cinema | Course 1 Module Schedule

01

Course Introduction | Understanding the Landscape

Students will be introduced to the course and guided on how to set up the tools they will need to complete their coursework. This is a course where everyone can explore their creativity and unleash their artistic and cinematic potential. All levels of learning and curiosity are welcome, and no prior experience is required.

02

AI Ethics | Ethical Considerations of Creating AI Art

This section of the course will focus on the ethical considerations of using artificial intelligence in art and content creation workflows. Students will engage with each other and the instructor about the benefits and drawbacks of using AI in creative workflows and how to balance the use of AI with the need for human creativity and authenticity.

03

Writing | Learning How to Write Creatively

Good cinema starts with a good story. Never written a story before? No problem. You'll learn timeless storytelling techniques to help you take your idea, concept, or story and turn it into the foundation of your short AI film or AI trailer. Learning how to write creatively is paramount to your success as a filmmaker and storyteller.

04

Crewing Up | Even AI Cinema Productions Need A Good Crew

Students will be guided on how to "crew up" for their AI cinema production. This includes setting up the creative AI tools used in each student's short AI film or AI trailer, including Adobe Creative Suite, Eleven Labs, Midjourney, and Runway. Having the right tools for your production is one of the most important steps in creating your AI cinema.

05

Midjourney | Telling Your Story With Cinematic Imagery

Introduction to Midjourney, its interface, features, & demonstrations of the power of this incredible image creation tool. Students will immediately learn how to use Midjourney to create cinematic shots based on their idea, concept, or story. These shots will then be used to create an AI-enhanced storyboard for their short AI film or AI trailer.

06

Directing | Controlling Midjourney

In this module, students will learn methods of directing control over the creative outcomes of their scenes in Midjourney. Discover how to maintain image and character consistency, ensuring a cohesive visual experience throughout your storytelling journey. Learn how to direct your image creations to reflect your story as best as possible.

07

Photoshop Beta | Controlling Your Story

Discover techniques for the manipulation of your storyboard images. Gain control over elements by adding, removing, and managing them. Learn the art of inpainting and outpainting to enhance characters, scenes, and overall visual narratives. No prior Photoshop experience is required.

08

Storyboarding | Visual Storytelling

Students will be introduced to the exciting synergy between scene creation in Midjourney and the seamless transfer of these scenes to a distinct, customizable worksheet specifically designed for storyboarding with creative AI tools. These initial scenes will serve as the foundation for exploring more advanced techniques of creation and control.

09

Runway | Creating Footage and Shots From Your Storyboard

Introduction to Runway, its interface, features, & demonstrations of the power of this incredible video generation tool. Students will immediately learn how to use Runway to create cinematic footage and shots based on their idea, concept, or story. Students will learn how to control their shots with a combination of different tools and techniques.

10

Eleven Labs | Enhancing Your Footage With Realistic Voices

Students will bring their footage to life by creating lifelike voices that will be used in their short AI film or AI trailer. By having realistic voices or narration in your AI cinema, audiences will connect with your story in a way that's visually real and emotionally tangible.

11

Editing Your Story Together | Creating & Exporting Your AI Cinema

With scene creation mastery in Midjourney, scene control in Photoshop Beta, and creating lifelike voices in Eleven Labs, it's time to unite these elements in Adobe Premiere. This seamless process will breathe life into your creative vision. No prior Adobe Premiere experience is required.

12

EPK | Creating Your Electronic Press Kit

An EPK is a digital package with your promotional materials in one place. It includes your press release, director's statement, bio, headshot, AI cinema, production stills, contact information, & more. This makes it easy for industry professionals and potential collaborators to access up-to-date information about your AI cinema.

13

Midway Film Festival | Students Showcase Their AI Cinema

At the end of your journey, it's time to showcase your hard work. Participation is optional, and students can enjoy watching their peers present their work. The instructor will showcase students' work, giving everyone a chance to speak about their projects and share their creative journey.

Midway Cinema Course 1 | Fall '23 Schedule

20 Hours | 10hrs/Modules + 10hrs/Project
  • Office Hours

    M-F | 9am-5pm MST

    You can contact your instructor during office hours with any questions or issues that may arise before or during Midway Cinema Course 1 via email at Info@MilanCucuk.com

  • Lecture & Teaching Hours

    Mon/Weds | 7pm-8:30pm EST

    Live-streaming | Course 1

    The course consists of interactive modules delivered in real time with hands-on work. If you cannot attend a class, you have the option to watch the recorded stream at any time and follow along with the coursework.

  • Portfolio work

    Your own pace | 3-5 hours per week

    The course is broken down into 20 hours, depending on how fast or slowly each student works on their projects outside of the livestream sessions. Approximately 3-5+ hours will be needed to work on portfolio projects outside of the livestream sessions.

  • Student Showcase and Certificate of Course Completion

    Last day of class

    Students have the opportunity to showcase their portfolios, mockups, storyboards, or visual stories. Students who complete the course receive a certificate of completion, symbolizing their dedication to staying at the forefront of creative AI industry advancements.

Frequently Asked Questions

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