When the first animated films appeared, many believed they were just “moving drawings.” The complexity, craftsmanship, and storytelling behind them were underestimated. Only later did the industry recognize that animation required immense patience, collaboration, and artistry—eventually elevating animators, storyboard artists, and designers into highly respected, well-paid professionals.
Today, AI-generated films are standing at the same crossroads.
The Myth of the Prompt
Most filmmakers currently view AI cinema as a matter of “just typing a prompt.” They imagine it as a shortcut, where the machine delivers the story-world instantly. But just as a pencil alone doesn’t make an artist, a prompt alone doesn’t make a filmmaker.
The real challenge lies in translating imagination into cinematic expression. That requires narrative design, emotional arcs, and a deep understanding of visual storytelling—skills that AI cannot replicate on its own. As AI technology becomes cheaper, the value of human creativity in prompt engineering, structuring, and storytelling will skyrocket. The “manpower cost” of prompt creators will go sky high, echoing the rise of animators in the past.
