Graduates
Zibo Chen
MFA in Media Design Practices - 3 Yr Path — Media Design PracticesCourse:
AI Filmmaking
Faculty:
Timothy Durfee
Term:
2026 Fall
SYNTHESIS
A visual experiment exploring the concept of "Mutual Learning." While we focus on how AI mimics humanity, we often overlook how we are subconsciously internalizing the logic, efficiency, and aesthetics of algorithms.
Transitioning from cold liquid chrome to digitally alienated flesh, this film employs a distinctive surrealist aesthetic to dissolve the boundary between carbon and silicon. It is not just about creation, but how we are reciprocally reshaped by the tools we build.
Process:
The project began with conceptual development and narrative planning, using AI-assisted tools to explore story structure and visual direction. I then generated key images and video sequences through a combination of text-to-image and image-to-video workflows, iterating across multiple passes to refine composition and continuity. Sound was developed in parallel, with AI-generated music supporting the overall atmosphere. Finally, all materials were edited, sequenced, and refined in post-production to form a cohesive film.
Learning Outcomes:
Through this project, I developed a deeper understanding of how to integrate multiple AI tools into a cohesive creative workflow, balancing control and unpredictability in the generation process. I learned to guide AI systems through iterative refinement, using constraints and selection to shape visual and narrative outcomes. The project also strengthened my ability to translate conceptual ideas into structured visual sequences, while exploring how AI-generated content can influence authorship, timing, and cinematic expression.
Project Website: