British writer, director, and producer Dan Hartley, known for his BAFTA and Emmy-nominated HBO/Sky documentary The Boy Who Lived, has joined forces with Chris Bird, the former Managing Director of Prime Video UK, to introduce CineMe. This innovative visual development tool for filmmakers harnesses proprietary AI technology. CineMe empowers content creators by enabling them to construct a visual narrative from script to screen, facilitating collaboration among producers, directors, production designers, cinematographers, location scouts, costume designers, and VFX teams. The tool simplifies the sharing of ideas, thereby saving both time and resources for producers.
The inspiration behind CineMe stemmed from Hartley’s frustration with the obstacles that independent filmmakers often face when trying to advance their careers and unlock their creative potential. Traditionally, these creators have struggled to access affordable visual development tools. Similarly, Bird recognized the potential for AI to equip creators with technological advancements and data insights, streamlining decision-making, enhancing efficiency, and lowering costs. By combining their extensive experience in both creative and technological realms, Hartley and Bird have created a platform that incorporates AI and generative technologies to support an entire production workflow. CineMe will make these resources available to established filmmakers, democratizing access to advanced technology that has typically been limited to major studios and streaming services.
Currently, CineMe is in its Beta phase, with several confidential projects already underway. The duo plans to announce key advisors with significant industry expertise in film, technology, and investment soon.
A foundational commitment from Hartley and Bird is the establishment of the CineMe Future Fund, which will allocate 5 percent of the company’s shares to a charitable trust. This initiative aims to provide enterprise-level artificial intelligence resources for the workforce in screen-based creative industries. Hartley, who experienced financial instability as a freelancer during the pandemic and Hollywood strikes, hopes the Future Fund will prompt discussions on how to better support the tens of thousands of freelancers susceptible to industry disruptions. Their goal is to leverage this transformative technology to ensure that the UK continues leading in the global film sector.
Hartley remarked, “Throughout my 20-year career, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the brightest minds in the British film industry. I’ve witnessed first-hand the importance of aligning teams around a common creative vision. I envision CineMe as a platform that aids the next generation of storytellers and filmmakers by granting them access to cost-effective tools that will revolutionize the way they develop, produce, and distribute films. Previously, you had to wait until a film was completed to see it; now, that’s a thing of the past.”
Bird added, “Having spent 15 years at Amazon, I’ve seen how new technologies can lower costs, enhance decision-making, and boost efficiency. I’m thrilled to bring that philosophy to the UK content creation landscape through CineMe. We stand on the brink of significant changes within our industry, and CineMe is ideally positioned to assist creators in realizing their visions on screen more seamlessly than ever before.”
