Indie filmmaking can cease the moment of AI slop

Originally shared on September 11, 2025.

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Last night a short film I starred in made its premiere at a film festival. During the Q&A afterwards, one of the filmmakers was asked about why he chose to make a film about AI — it was a dark comedy. His initial response was something to the effect of “well, AI is bad.” I’m probably not quoting verbatim. But y’all, the whole audience erupted in laughter, applause, and cheers. An audience made up of indie filmmakers and those who support them. It got me thinking…

I was doing a lot of indie filmmaking in the early 2000s, and it was a an amazing time for both indie film and indie music. And the wild thing was that what we were doing in the indie scene was changing things in the overall industry. So much heart and soul was being poured into indie film and music at the time. And even A-list actors started taking roles in indie films because it was where the good roles were.

This moment last night where we all cheered in a movie theatre and laughed at something as simple as "AI is bad" made me realize we are in that moment again. Hollywood wants to make AI movies and pump AI into their movies. I say, let them. People were exhausted with the music industry output in the early 2000s and rushed to MySpace to eat up what indie musicians were putting it out. It was a mixture of alternative rock and much of it had a 60s flare. It was excellent. Go listen to Amy Winehouse if you want a taste of what it sounded like. And that's the thing, eventually the music industry started embracing these sounds and artists. Adele also grew out of this time. I don't remember if she was ever an indie musician, but I do remember listening to her music months before she blew up and suddenly everyone knew who she was.

The point?

Indie filmmakers you have this amazing moment before you. Go out and roll hard with all of your heart into your filmmaking. Your passion and heart will literally change the industry, and audiences will flock to you before that change even comes. Audiences will get tired of AI (if they aren't already) like they've gotten tired of Marvel. Indie filmmakers aren't gonna make the next Marvel Avengers event movie, but as always, indie filmmakers are gonna make some of the most amazing, heartfelt, fun, and unique movie experiences. So own it. When you go to pick your next project, pick one that you're super passionate about. Because it's that passion that is gonna lead the way.