Nick Harauz

If you're using Generative AI, here's why it's hurting you as an artist // Watch the full video 👉 https://lnkd.in/eptD8aAD Like most of us, I've been thinking a lot about Generative AI. If you listen to the hype... The entire world is changing without you and you're going to be left behind! But the problem is AI doesn't seem to be enabling creativity. It seems to be REPLACING creativity. I get it... It's easier to pull a slot machine than stare at a blank page. But I think a lot of people will spend the next 5-10 years gambling on technology that's replacing their art... And at the end of it they won't have improved their craft. Personally, I got into VFX and filmmaking because I love the process, the problem-solving, the collaboration, that feeling of improving with each project, and finding the best ideas to make something new. Replacing that with a prompt just sucks all the life out of it. So if AI can help you make your art, go for it. But don't stop doing what you love for the fear of getting left behind. At least that's my opinion, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Watch the full video for more hot takes 👉 https://lnkd.in/eptD8aAD

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🔥Problem Finders vs Problem Solvers: Which one are you? If you work in VFX, film or TV, chances are you’ve seen a fair share of chaos... Shifting deadlines, shrinking teams, AI anxiety, and clients who want the impossible by yesterday. But here’s what I’ve learned after years in this industry: 👉 Problem finders are everywhere. They’re the ones who spot every obstacle… and stop there. 👉 Problem solvers? They hold the real value. They see the same problems,... but they keep going until they find a way through. Studios want people who can adapt, figure things out, and move the project forward. But more importantly… you need to be a problem solver for your OWN LIFE. When your contract ends. When the work dries up. When your career doesn’t feel stable anymore. That’s when this shift becomes essential, not just to survive, but to take back control. Because no one is coming to do it for you. And you don’t need more VFX experience or another software skill to do it. You need to: Think differently. Break free from the “yes man” conditioning of school and work. And start using who you are, your experiences, insight, values, and unique perspective to create new options. You are not just a technician. You are the asset. And the more you start treating yourself like one, the more your life will reflect it. 🎯 Want to learn how to build multiple streams of income outside the industry, without burnout, overwhelm, or trying to become an influencer? 📽️ Sign up for my free masterclass: “How to Build Multiple Streams of Income Without Burning Out or Changing Careers” https://lnkd.in/eadtpERj

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What does adaptability look like when it’s not just a value on a slide deck, but a living part of how teams move? The #PROTO5 video series is a creative experiment — part mockumentary, part animated sketchbook — exploring what work culture could become in the age of intelligent tools. Each short clip gives shape to a new kind of team: modular, role-fluid, and resilient under pressure. 😳 Because in real creative environments, the pressure test always comes when a client says: “𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝘃𝗼𝘁?” In legacy systems, this often triggers chaos. ‼️𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘴. 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘴. 🟢 But in an AI-native setup, built on core interoperability instead of rigid specialisation, the pivot becomes 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 — 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙨. That’s what 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗢𝟱 is about: → A team that doesn’t just tolerate change, but trains for it. → Roles designed to flex core muscles — without losing their shape. → And a culture that prioritizes 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 over hierarchical control. 📍 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘺𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗢𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄 — with a growing ecosystem of hybrid creative roles, workflows, and culture design tools. 🧰 If this resonates with how you think teams should evolve and you’re looking for a permanent role in a creative organization restructuring for the future… 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙏𝙊5 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙚, and DM me if there’s alignment. We’re not romanticizing the future of work. We’re storyboarding it into being. 🎥 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲. ———— 📌 𝙎𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙏𝙊5 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘐-𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘈𝘐 — 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘈𝘐, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴-𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯, 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭, 𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘥𝘺𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘴. ⭐️ 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 📬 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵/𝘋𝘔 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. #Proto5 #AINativeTeams #FutureOfWork #CreativeCulture #OrganizationalDesign #TeamDynamics #ModularThinking #AdaptiveWork #NarrativePrototyping

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The evolution of AI video has officially crossed the threshold from experimental novelty to a professional powerhouse. We’ve moved past the era of distorted, glitchy clips into a new phase of high-fidelity realism, where temporal consistency and complex physics are no longer the exception, but the standard. This shift represents more than just a technical upgrade; it’s a total democratization of cinematic storytelling. Brands and creators can now execute high-end visual concepts that were once gatekept by massive production budgets, shifting the focus from the limitations of the tools to the depth of the creative vision. As we look toward the rest of 2026, the real competitive advantage won't just be using AI, but mastering the synergy between human art direction and machine precision to tell stories that were previously impossible to capture.

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Yes, unregulated generative AI is straight up theft. Yes, it dumbs down creativity because it doesn’t create. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀? This was shared yesterday by Patrick Kuban, President of LESVOIX FR (France’s version of National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) & Canadian Association of Voice Actors (CAVA) / Association Canadienne des Artistes en Voix Hors Champ) and one of the authors. When AI is used to translate and voice dubbing, what happens to the cultural nuance that a human translator and human actors bring because they inherently understand the mindset and values of the audience? “74% of our fellow citizens prefer to watch their films and series in dubbed version and 86% of them believe that AI is destroying French cultural know-how. While artificial intelligence may appear economically beneficial and useful, it harbors perverse effects that are dangerous for our culture. Dubbing is not just a technical translation service. It is an art, a living and internationally recognized artistic heritage that embodies French-speaking cultural identity.” https://lnkd.in/gudEj4xK

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We talk a lot about how AI will change our workflows. We don't talk enough about how it will change our work. The conversation around creative AI is dominated by efficiency and speed. Faster renders, smarter edits, automated assets. But the real discussion lies beneath the surface, at the intersection of technology and ethics. As founders, filmmakers, and creators, the tools we build and adopt define our industry's values. When we deploy models trained on vast cultural datasets, we are making decisions about representation, ownership, and authorship. Are we building tools that amplify diverse voices, or tools that automate appropriation? This isn't an anti-tech stance. It's a call for intention. The future of our craft depends on the questions we're willing to ask now. Check the full article here: https://lnkd.in/geJsPzQx

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mba.fortt.com: After partnering with NVIDIA to run its latest video generation model on the upcoming Vera Rubin platform, Runway CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela describes how Runway videos are going beyond Hollywood to industrials and robotics. (w/Teddy Farkas)

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Emotive AI assisted image by Ivona Tau (Tautkutė - Rustecka, PhD) created using a custom generative model for today's essay Nicole C. Rust, PhD : What can AI teach us about ‘emotions’? Exploring why Anthropic’s AI, Claude, displays something like emotion could ultimately help us better understand the function that emotions serve in humans: https://lnkd.in/eFHfU3t3 for The Transmitter

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Your next creative workflow might not start with opening an app. It might start with asking a better question. Lately, I’ve noticed my own workflow changing. AI tools are not just helping me move faster. They’re helping me think more clearly through different creative scenarios before I commit to a direction. That shift matters. For creators, marketers, designers, and small business owners, the value is not only in automation. It’s in becoming a stronger creative director of the process. Instead of jumping between tools too early, I can now explore: Different campaign angles * Alternative story structures * Visual directions * Editing approaches * Paper edits before production * Versions of an idea for different audiences That gives me more room to be thoughtful before the execution phase begins. The Adobe and Claude connector is another sign of where this is going. Creative work is becoming less app-first and more outcome-first. The question is no longer just, “Which tool should I use?” It’s becoming, “What am I trying to create, and what is the smartest path to get there?” That doesn’t remove creative judgment. It makes creative judgment more important. AI can help organize the workflow. But the taste, strategy, and final decision still come from the creator. How is AI changing the way you move from idea to execution?

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If you’re still using pre-recorded avatars for roleplay... it’s time to level up. We created this 360° sample to show what’s possible when you move beyond the complexity of VR headsets and embrace real-time AI. If you haven’t seen what PlayAvatar is doing for soft-skills training, they’re definitely worth a look…Their tech adds a functional, conversational layer to the 360° environment. No more passive watching. It’s immersive learning that actually scales. Check it out! #EdTech #InstructionalDesign #CorporateTraining #Gamification #ImmersiveLearning

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Trying to create a usable image with AI? Feel like it’s like trying to control a slot machine? 🎰 If you’ve ever spent hours trying to get an AI image generator to put "a chair in the corner" or "a bus on a bridge," only to get a chaotic mess, you aren’t alone. In Spencer Kelly’s AI Masterclass, Mike Pound and I uncovered exactly why professional creatives are struggling to move from "prototyping" to "final production" with AI. Here are the key takeaways: 1. AI gets the "Vibe," not the Instructions Mike points out that models like OpenArt are amazing at semantics (rainy streets, reflections), but terrible at specifics. You can ask for a red bus on a rainy London Bridge, and the AI will give you a beautiful rainy bus... but forget the bridge entirely. It works on themes, not strict instructions. 👉 How much time do you waste rerolling prompts hoping to get "lucky"? 2. The Solution: Control Nets (and ComfyUI) To fix the "hallucination" of geometry, Mike suggests tools like ComfyUI and Control Nets. Instead of just typing text, you feed the AI a sketch or an outline (a skeleton). It forces the AI to "colour within the lines," giving you the exact composition you need for storyboarding or architectural work. 3. AI is feeding on itself Mike also noted that because we’re running out of natural training data, we’re now using tools like Control Nets to generate synthetic data—essentially using AI images to train new AI models. My take? "That scares the hell out of me." 😨 I’ve seen AI trained on AI that’s been trained on AI trained on AI. And it’s not pretty. I’d love to hear your take: What are your tips for controlling AI image generators? Let me know in the comments! 👇 #AI #GenerativeAI #ComputerVision #TechTalks #ComfyUI #FutureOfWork

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ElevenLabs just released Eleven v3. It is the most expressive AI narration model they have ever built. You can now write [whispers] or [excited] directly into your script and the model delivers it. Emotional cues. Inline. Without retakes. Think about what that means for a thriller. For a romance. For a children's book. The gap between AI narration and human narration just got significantly smaller. But the gap between a well-produced AI audiobook and a poorly produced one just got bigger. Getting clean audio that passes ACX specs is still the first step. Everything else builds on that. Free ACX Checker at talkeditpro.com/tool Start there. #audiobooks #ElevenLabs #indieauthors #ACX #selfpublishing #talkeditpro

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Meeting with the brilliant AI filmmakers Evotime Films to discuss hybrid workflows, animation, and budgeting. Topic of discussion Jonathan Franks new animation film Robot Love and figuring out if AI could play a role in its proof of concept. I’m sure the discussion will be fascinating! We are truly on the cutting edge of this all with some of the top creators in this realm. #Producer #Filmmaker #AI #Hollywood 🎥🎬💻

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#AI isn’t just the future. It’s already reshaping how we work faster. StraightFire was in the room with EmpowermentOne | RISEOne, exploring AI tools that streamline workflows and provided an overview of other AI starting points. We like to be in these rooms because it helps us benchmark how AI is being used and taught, and it reinforces StraightFire's confidence in how we're using it. Highlight: A voice automation app like Otter.ai was demonstrated. Good for professionals on the road or away from the office, who need to quickly respond to emails or voicemails without missing a beat. A powerful communication tool. While platforms like Claude AI are rapidly advancing in voice interaction, tools like this are still leading the way in real-time, on-the-go communication workflows. Thank you to Grossmont College and the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce for hosting such a forward-thinking session. #AImagic #CommunicationTool #Benchmarked

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Hey parents of teens who game 🎮👇 Your kids aren’t just having fun — they’re building real skills: problem-solving, teamwork, strategy, creativity, communication, and tech confidence. Together with AUArts Continuing Education, ReTrain Canada is turning gaming skills into career-ready strengths — helping teens connect what they love doing to real pathways, and teaching them how to confidently explain those skills to employers and schools. We’re so excited about this project and what it can unlock for youth who may not realize how valuable their skills already are. 🚀 #GamingSkills #FutureReady #CareerPathways #TeensInTech #AUArts #ReTrainCanada

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It's about time to do some AI tests. I've just tested Autodesk Flow Studio's Character Integration (Wonder Dynamics app) on one of the scenes in my recent Short Film! Results look stable enough when used with no objects occluding the character (otherwise it integrates on top of the objects and roto will be needed). Check out my recent Short Film on Youtube! https://lnkd.in/dRMXRnBH #AI #Autodesk #FlowStudio #WonderDynamics #VFX #3D #CG #CGI

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Embrace AI as a tool, not a replacement. Experiment with AI-assisted workflows for pre-viz, set extension, or even initial animation passes. But never lose sight of the human element: the artistry of compositing, the creative direction, and the storytelling. The technology is there to enhance our vision, not dictate it. ON POINT.

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