That Tech Pod
Welcome to That Tech Pod, a podcast co-hosted by Laura Milstein, Gabi Schulte and Kevin Albert. Each Tuesday, That Tech Pod will feature in depth discussions about data privacy, cybersecurity, eDiscovery, and tech innovations with heavy hitters in the industry. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit thattechpod.com for more information.
That Tech Pod
An Exclusive Look At The A.I. That Will Transform The Film Pre-Production Industry With Ruslan Khamidullin
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Today on That Tech Pod, Laura and Gabi speak with Ruslan Khamidullin.
Ruslan is the Chief Technology Officer of Filmustage, a technology company that is streamlining the film production process using neural network technology.
With 10 years of development experience, Ruslan has been able to develop the Filmustage technology to automate the script breakdown process, a painstaking task that is necessary in the production industry.
Also a lifelong musician, Ruslan is well-versed in sound design. He would be happy to discuss Filmustage in context of the changes currently happening in the global film industry!
Hello and welcome to that tech pod where we discussed all things e-discovery, data privacy, cybersecurity, tech innovations, and anything else we're feeling like. Today, I'm Laura Millstein, and I am just excited to be here. Excited to learn more about tech and just, you know, feeling good.
SPEAKER_00I'm Gabby Schulte and I am um I am feeling mediocrely excited. I was trying to find a word that would describe like a notch below excited, but that's what I came up with.
SPEAKER_02So here we are. Whoa. You better explain that to our guests today. Speaking of, we're bringing on heavy hitters to break down these topics for us. And today, Gabby, who are we talking to?
SPEAKER_00Well, today I'm actually very excited to talk to Roslyn Kay. He is the chief technology officer of Film Ustage, a technology company that is streamlining the film production process using get this Neural Network Technology. He has 10 years experience in development. Roslyn has been able to develop the Film You Stage technology to automate script breakdown process, which is a painstaking task that is necessary in any film production. So, Roslin, thank you so much for being here today.
SPEAKER_03Thank you. Thank you for the invitation. Welcome, welcome to the show, all the listeners and the guests. Thank you.
SPEAKER_00Yes, welcome. Um, so just tell us this is our first question to everybody. So just tell us a little bit about you know your journey into film use stage and how you got into dealing with neural network technology, how you got interested in tech in general.
SPEAKER_03Quite a long journey, actually. Well, I was always, I guess, into computers during my whole life since early childhood. I remember going with my father to his work, you know, to play with some old school computers. Back then it was like early 90s. I remember playing all these old school games like Prince of Persia and you name it, you know, all these old school games from Atari and whatever. So uh for me, computers always was a huge part of my life, video gaming also. Uh after school, I decided to go to Tech University uh in Minsk, Belarus. And after the graduation, well, no more fun, you need to start to find a job and whatever. Uh, I started to develop for uh mobile. I decided to develop mobile applications actually for iOS and basically iPhones and iPads. So spend a few years in uh this industry, but constantly been thinking about like uh trying to launch your own business because it's way more fun than going to the office from you know eight to five. When you run something something bigger, it's all yours, and you you can have more free at the same time, but at the same time, you get more responsibilities and opportunities at the same time. It's your it's your child, it's your project. So uh somewhere around 2017, I started to dig deeper into the automation and artificial intelligence. Well, uh, because around that time the technologies became really, really efficient and really advanced. So it always always was in my you know sphere of interest. And uh after a few years, we met together with uh three other guys, two other guys. Actually, we have three co-founders in our company, uh Igor and Andrey, who's my friend from university years. So, and Igor is uh experienced filmmaker. He spent like 10 years on various film sets, filming lots of different stuff in Europe, in the US, everywhere in the world. And he came up with the idea that you know uh the processes in film industry are how how should I call it a bit old school, let's call it. So there's definitely room for improvement. And we found a very interesting process called uh script breakdown. Basically, when you start every script-based video product, all you got at the very beginning is just uh screenplay, which is a basically a textual document, usually 100 pages long for a you know average full-length movie. So, and this is all you got, and you need to start planning all your production around that document. So basically, you read through it, write down I don't know, cast names, their description, location details, props, uh notes about equipment, whatever you find. So basically, it's lots of like manual, not very fun job, which needs to be done. And it sounds like a really good application of machine learning and artificial intelligence. So that's how the idea was born. And uh combining our skills, we were able to develop the technology of automatic script breakdown, how we call it. So basically, you upload your screenplay on our platform, we analyze it using neural network, and we extract all the available information out of it and instantly present you uh in a you know nice, easy-to-understand uh view. So basically, we have to filmmakers to save time from you know, from a couple of weeks of days or weeks of copy pasting, you can do the same in a couple of minutes, and basically you have a very good start to start planning your production. So this is a really, really crucial part of pre-production of films. And on top of that, we continue to build our plot from around that. We had functionality like schedule, I don't know, budgeting stuff, lots of sort of prototyping. Basically, we recently introduced a storyboards or mood board references. So basically, you attach pictures, how you would like to look different objects in your project, in your video.
SPEAKER_02Um, I'm confused. Are we talking about like doc review for film scripts?
SPEAKER_03Not really. It's like the process of actually planning, planning your production.
SPEAKER_02Okay. So what kind of films would you reject in this?
SPEAKER_03It's not, it's not uh, it's it's not it's not something we do actually. We, you know, you can upload whatever you want, whatever you got.
SPEAKER_02So if I oh no, you go ahead, Gabby. Go ahead.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Um, well, so I have I've dabbled in film production. I wouldn't say I'm like, you know, start I'm more of the uh in the you know the producing aspect. I don't do that much with pre-production, but I do know that this is an insanely useful tool um because the script breakdown process is so tedious. So do people, you know, like how much interest are you getting right now? Because it seems to me like this would be something that filmmakers from independent filmmakers to even like film companies would be really, really interested in.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, good question. Actually, we are gathering a really, really promising and you know, nice feedback from individuals. Uh basically, at the moment we sell uh subscriptions to individual prof professionals. So basically, you go to our website, register, take trial, after seven days. If you like it, you buy like monthly access. Uh and people love it basically. So they really dig our idea and how it helps them to you know make their way easier and go to the creative part as soon as possible. We're also trying to find our way to bigger companies, you know, it's a bit hard because uh the processes and decision makers are uh a bit old school, let's call it so still going there. So but yeah, I still I I think it's really something to you know take in account for someone who's really into filmmaking.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, I I I agree that you know, probably bigger companies are afraid to take any risks or change much of anything from what they're doing. Um, but so tell us a little bit about the the neuro uh technology that you use, the neural network technology. How did you, you know, is that something that you you you kind of briefly explained this before, but did you kind of pair up with somebody? Tell us a little bit about that process.
SPEAKER_03Well, actually, actually, I was well, you know, I first time I heard about neural networks and uh natural language processing during my university years, I guess. We had our we had a really nice course back then, and uh told it was something really interesting to me the machine learning, how you can train the machine to do something for you, like image processing or video processing or natural language processing. It's super cool because well it's it looks so complex to human, but basically, when you break it down to simpler tasks, uh it's something that really could be automated. Like our brain is quite simple device, actually, and complex at the same time. It's made of very uh simple building blocks, neurons, but there are like milliard billions of connections. So when you create the system that complex, but with very simple building blocks, you are able to uh you know you're able to perform all sorts of complex tasks. This is how it works in the in the modern days. So basically, the concept of neural networks is very similar to how the human brain works. And it's it is something really interesting to me.
SPEAKER_02Okay, so well let's just let's just throw a curveball here. One, have you written any film scripts yourself?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, actually, I recently finished my first ever short script.
SPEAKER_02Okay, and did you test it on the platform?
SPEAKER_03Exactly. So we are actually testing it right now. It's going to be like our uh our tutorial part will be based on my own screenplay.
SPEAKER_02Okay. And is the screenplay about that tech pod?
SPEAKER_03Not really.
SPEAKER_02Oh no, not yet. Okay, that'll be the second one. That's okay.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's that's the follow, that's a sequel, right?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Episode two will be very soon. So yeah, I I'll I'll try to squeeze tech pod somehow.
SPEAKER_02So can this platform do things outside of the film industry, or is it like very specific? And as Gabby mentioned, this is going to be more for expertise. I don't really know anything about what a film script even looks like. I know they're very intense. I'm visualizing when it's really hard to read like text messages in any of these platforms. And I think that film scripts are kind of written that way, but very different. So yeah, can you kind of tell me, is it very much specific to film scripts? Do you think you'll you'll navigate it to add other things for the platform? Tell us more about that.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, actually, we're uh at the moment we're focused only on film industry. We're also trying to find the application for game industry because in game development, if we're talking about huge games like Red Dead Redemption or GTA or whatever narrative-based game, they have kind of similar structure. They also have uh some sort of screenplays, and you need to uh again understand what's uh information, what what kind of information you have in this text after you get the script from the narrative designer. So but but they at the moment we are really focused on film industry because uh we actually want to change uh the way of doing things uh in filmmaking, show the better way as we see it, and you know, um help people.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, that's that's so cool, and that's really cool about the gaming thing because I think more and more um gaming is becoming a little bit like a cinematic experience. Right. So, you know, there's games that are being turned. Uh obviously, this has been happening for a very long time, you know, games being turned into either TV series or movies, but the one the one I'm really particularly thinking of is I don't know if you're familiar, The Last of Us. Um, yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03It's also old games from Naughty Dog uh Studio. Yeah, all those basically all the movies.
SPEAKER_00Right, are are being turned into movies or TV shows. The Last of Us is being turned into TV show on HBO, and they all have this very cinematic feel. Um, what what do you think is the biggest challenge for filmmakers? Um, you know, obviously there's your platform, but even with the platform, what do you think the biggest challenge is for filmmakers in kind of making their process more efficient?
SPEAKER_03No, going online is a huge, huge problem sometimes because it's your screenplay, it's copyrighted. Most of the time, you don't want usually well, sometimes people don't want to upload it anywhere or scared of doing that. Uh, but this trend is really changing. And also we offer our customers who really would like to keep everything internal, like a standalone app. So if you would like if you'd like your screenplay never actually leave your laptop, it's also absolutely possible. Um also there's a huge tradition of doing things in filmmaking. They they have uh movie magic, which is a software from 1987, which came to our times literally uh unchanged, and it's still a de facto standard in the industry. But you know, the things are slowly changing because after the arrival of uh streaming services and the rise of the demand for content, people need to uh produce faster, yeah. And also uh indie filmmaking is getting bigger and bigger. We have a really noticeable customer. Uh, his name is Christian uh Roger Christian. Uh Roger Christian, yeah. He was a original set dresser of uh set decorator, sorry, for uh original Star Wars trilogy back to the 70s and 90s.
SPEAKER_01Oh wow.
SPEAKER_03Uh yeah, he was our guest during uh Berlin Film Festival. We had a panel discussion in February, basically telling the audience about you know advantages of using our platform. And he was like for 15 minutes pitching our platform and telling how cool is that that nowadays he can spend like a couple of hours of for planning instead of weeks.
SPEAKER_02That's pretty awesome. Definitely, definitely cool to have that. What changes do you think are currently happening in the global film industry?
SPEAKER_03As I mentioned before, uh streaming platforms are going bigger, getting bigger and bigger. Indie filmmaking is getting more and more accessible. Uh Unreal Engine 5 was recently uh released and it looks just amazing, and it's absolutely brilliant with all the latest technology and uh uh lighting models. How uh how natural and how realistic can actually the image generated by the computer could look like. That's unbelievable. I I think Unreal Engine 5 will be a huge game changer for the whole industry.
SPEAKER_00That's so cool. And I I like how you know we're talking about the international global community because I do feel like obviously there's certain markets that are pretty dominant, like you know, the US, China, obviously, India, India is also really big. Really big. Um, so but it's it's cool to see other places, you know, um rising up in and competing with that. What do you think are some of the and this is actually you know, we'd we'd love to keep you on for longer, but this will be our last question um with you uh because we know that you are joining from uh a different time zone and we will let you get to bed.
SPEAKER_03So no, I'm not going to go to the bed, I'm going to the bar after that sort of thing.
SPEAKER_00Oh, there you go. Well, let's go to the bar. Um, so what do you think are some trends uh that you know we could see in like the next three to five years, not only in technology like yours, but sort of what we're talking about with um the international film industry.
SPEAKER_03Again, AI will be a huge part of our life and all aspects and all possible applications because models are getting stronger, let's call it, and more efficient. We're going to have more of AI things in our you know everyday life.
SPEAKER_00Do you think that AI can uh successfully write a good, and uh this is the caveat, a good screenplay.
SPEAKER_03Well, um, what's what's a good screenplay? Tell me.
SPEAKER_00I guess that's true. I guess it's very subjective.
SPEAKER_03Yes, exactly.
SPEAKER_02Um I heard I I I feel like we could. I'm sorry, Gabby, but I do think we should answer this question. Like we have great tastes. I think great taste. We will know if it's a good screenplay, and we'll we'll get back to you and we'll we'll just send you the pile of pass or fails.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, please, please.
SPEAKER_00Well, Russland, thank you so much for your time and for joining us. Um, yeah, this was a pleasure.
SPEAKER_03Thank you, and thank you so much.
SPEAKER_00Hey Gabby. So Laura. Hey, we just talked to Roslyn Kay, he's the chief technology officer of Film You Stage, which is a really cool technology company that aims to streamline film production. Let me know. What tell us what's your tech takeaways?
SPEAKER_02I thought it was really interesting. Um, it was a new tech for me all around. That's this is your your piece, is the film side. And I I think we've done a few different things where we've had people on around tech film-ish related. It was more like the talk show side or how to do the platform when making a video, but this is very different because we haven't had anything around film scripts and what that looks like. Um, so I thought it was really interesting. I definitely learned a lot, and I'm excited to kind of dive more into the topic myself.
SPEAKER_00What about you? Look at you so open to learning. Um, I know I thought it was really cool, especially since I remember like being in school, like uh, you know, college, grad school, using a lot of screenwriting platforms, but none of them had anything close to what Roslyn is talking about, which honestly is a game changer. And I'm curious, I'm gonna check this out, uh, you know, because it it speeds up the very tedious process of kind of breaking down your script. So, um, but Laura, if people want to break down that tech pod even more, where can people do that?
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