AI filmmakers take note! Runway launches talent platform to meet, greet, and get hired

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As Google and OpenAI continue to crank up the video generation space with their respective AI models, Runway, another notable player in the category, is moving to expand the reach of these advanced systems. Today, the New York-based company announced a new talent network that helps brands, agencies and studios hire AI filmmakers.

Starting today, global creatives, artists and companies specializing in AI video tools — such as those from Runway — will be able to use the network to showcase their work and connect with folks searching for talent in the industry. The platform is already home to dozens of independent AI artists, specializing in different areas, as well as production houses. 

The move delivers dual benefits. First, it acts as a much-needed bridge to help companies that are looking to accelerate their creative workflows with AI discover and hire the right AI video talent for their needs. Secondly, it also gives Runway a way to accelerate the adoption of its video models in enterprises’ creative workflows. The company itself notes that many of the members in the talent network come from its own Creative Partner Program, where they have exclusive access to new Runway tools and AI models.

What to expect from the Runway Talent Network

Even though generating an AI video is a piece of cake today, organizations are very well aware that most tools out there are still not good enough to replace the depth and authenticity of human-directed video projects. The tools do help automate several aspects of the creative workflow and drive efficiencies, but one still needs to have experts who can put the models to best use and turn the AI clips into high-quality, production-grade content. 

This essentially means hiring professionals — from creative directors and artists to colorists and video editors — who specialize in AI video tools and can quickly use them to conceptualize what organizations want, generate pre-production clips in different styles (in line with the concept), and then stitch everything together with sounds and other elements to prepare the final video/film. 

So far, finding this kind of talent has proven a challenge, with teams having a hard time integrating AI into their project workflows.

“With tens of millions of users and many thousands of companies now using Runway, we consistently heard that one of the most recurrent needs was finding new talent and professionals to help integrate AI into diverse workflows — from concepting and pre-production to final frames,” Runway noted in a blog post.

To bridge this gap, the company has introduced the Runway Talent Network, which allows independent creatives, artists and production companies to showcase their work with AI video tools and get discovered by potential brands, agencies and studios looking for talent to produce content for movies, TV shows, advertisements or even games.

The platform already has dozens of members, including those who are a part of Runway’s Creative Partner Program and have exclusive access to the company’s latest AI models and tools. A number of these members are also early adopters of video AI and are pioneering new workflows within their industries, Runway added.

Production companies currently in the network include Tool, Builders Club, Silverside, Obsidian, Zukunft, [AI]imagination, and Harmony Korine’s digital IP-based studio EDGLRD.

More members to be added soon

As the network has just been announced, it is fair to say that the list of members showcasing their AI work will only grow in the coming weeks. Runway has already set up a Google form with a set of questions to bring more artists and production companies onboard. However, the company notes that it may not be able to respond to every submission due to high volumes.

Notably, Runway will also launch a separate job board, where agencies and brands hiring for AI-skilled talent will be able to post job listings with their requirements, inviting potential candidates to apply. It remains unclear when that will go live.