Brian P. is an artist from Denmark who we have been in contact with since April of this year. His experience and expertise in AI animations has come to our rescue several times since then. As with many graphic designers over the last 40 years (I include myself here), he started with Photoshop and transitioned to web design in 2003. However, it was when he discovered AI animations that his work excelled.
In addition to the graphic art and design, he has been making his own music for years. He was educated as a baker and pastry artisan but turned to music, proving once again how life can take some surprising turns. He calls himself a “rebel with a cause” and still has the attitude, especially when he discusses his favorite bands of all time; ranging from bands such as Bad Religion to Godsmack. He says he loves all genres of rock from punk, grunge, stoner, 80’s hair metal, and going all the way back to early rock n’ roll.
When looking at his current animations with his original music you can see how important this history is to him. He says he no longer makes original recordings — selling all of his equipment. Instead he has embraced AI apps such as Suno (his favorite), using this to make his original music.
This year he turned 50, but this hasn’t slowed down him from producing new and original work. In fact, just the opposite — we see an invigorated dynamic in his work. His latest music video is evidence of this. “No Light In War” shows his talent in full stride. Using AI he created an avatar of himself to sing the lyrics. Made with Suno, Kling and Hailuo MiniMax, he finally gets to be the rock singer he dreamed of when he was younger (really, who hasn't). Proving once again, it’s never too late to make your dreams happen.
Brian entered this video into Curious Refuge Horror Film Competition and you can vote for it here: https://pr.easypromosapp.com/gallery/983891/39733/655108747. Yes, we are biased because we really want to see him win.
Brian and I discussed how he builds a narrative in his videos. This has been a question I have for most AI animators. Having a story means the animation is not going to be an abstract. And likely eliminate the “infinite zoom” — what Brian calls the “unstoppable — video. In a conversation we had earlier this year he described in detail how he made his videos with AI. (Note: he described this back in April when the tools and the process were very different. Everything has changed since then.) For the laymen, such as myself, these descriptions are complicated and nearly incomprehensible.
Look at the difference in quality from earlier work compared to more recent work. This is how far the technology has advanced in such a short time.
Brian says he doesn’t use a script. He doesn’t use ChapGPT or any other programs like this, “He likes to think his stories come from above.” He works with music and animation in two very different ways. His stories build organically as he begins to develop the narrative. When he sees the animation starting to take shape he will follow it and build in the direction he sees it going. When this happens, the story begins to evolve. Looking at his video to "No Light In War" above and compare it to "When The Ships Arrive" below, it's easy to see the progress both Brian, and the applications have made. The quality of his most recent work reflects his process and the evolution of the AI software.
It is usually during this period of the development of the animation where he finds taking a break a necessary part of his creative process. He has a routine where he goes to his kitchen; lights up a cigarette, and has a cup of coffee. Usually it is at this time when all the pieces start to come together. Anyone involved a creative endeavor, will have a similar story. It is this break where so many puzzle pieces come into sharper focus. When getting back to the work you do so with fresh eyes. Brian’s process should sound familiar to most experienced artists, animators, or anyone who works with developing music videos to the degree he does. But his process is unique to him — just as his work is as different from any one else’s.
One of the most important things Brian has learned is how to motivate himself to keep going and producing new and interesting AI music videos. It is the satisfaction he gets when finishing a project that helps him get ready for the next one. Something all of us here look forward to.
