This weekend I began experimenting with Cyberlink’s Power Director 365, specifically their AI Anime features, and found myself very impressed with the visuals. When I was researching AI Anime, I found myself in a desert when it came to asking for information: if I must order credits, how much does a minute cost? Did I need to order Power Director first before downloading 365? Customer service kept sending me the same canned response, and message boards had people obsessed with getting their services free. After fruitless looking, I realized I just needed to take the dive and experience AI Anime myself to find the answers to those questions.
Will this software make it possible to save bad video by turning it into a cartoon?
My first concern has it’s origins when I was shooting Onward Christian Soldiers back in the 90’s. It was shot on Hi-8 video. During the editing process, a portion of the video was recorded at ‘EP’, which stands for extended play. Videos needed to be set at ‘SP’, standard play, for the highest resolution. When I watched the rushes, I learned there would be an obvious difference in the resolution of the final product.
How to save the project? I somehow got the idea to turn off the color. As a black and white movie, it became difficult to see the flaws. The idea came to make the movie as black and white, in addition to changing the title to Bible Madness, as a nod to the cult exploitation movie, Reefer Madness.
Does AI Anime do a good job covering lighting errors or bad video? Yes and no. It depends what you’re after. Check out this comparison video that was taken from the end of my movie, Wrestling Then and Now.
You will notice in the before/after clip of Killer Kowalski, that he has a baby face. No one will ever confuse that character with the wrestling legend. If this were an animated documentary about the life of Killer Kowalski, it would not work. If I were making a fictional animated movie about another wrestler, I could probably get away with the footage.
It works very well if you’re looking to portray mythic stories, with otherworldly surroundings, and on a budget. You can shoot an actor in the cheesiest of Hollywood costumes, but when you run it through AI Anime it will look like something out of Disney or Ralph Bakshi.
Check out this comparison video taken at Exotic World 2002. If I hadn’t mentioned that fact, you might think the animated portion came from Hercules, or some other work inspired the muses of Greek mythology.
It falls apart when the characters speak. I have no doubt there will be innovations when it comes to synchronized speech with animation programs. Still, it doesn’t look like their mouths are opening. Nikolai Volkoff does not look like himself! Plus, the washed out lighting creates an interesting effect when, for a split second, his costume changes. If your movie is about a shape shifter, great! If not, you’d probably want to get another wrestling match that has better lighting.
Nikita Breznikov’s mouth doesn’t open, but you hear his words. The animated interview below looks like it was conducted telepathically.
Cyber Link Power Director 365 could be a boost to community theaters and church plays, and anyone else in the DIY Film movement! I totally embrace this technology, in spite of some of the issues I pointed out. I’m sure their tech staff will find a way to improve their animation. I do plan on using it for future projects, however I still had three more questions that needed answering.
2.) How much for one minute of animation?
I paid $40 (including tax) for 500 credits. The total animation made with the 500 credits came to 1:20, with the total of 320 credits spent. I now have 180 credits left. I’m still unsure of how much each minute costs. I’m estimating anywhere from $10 a minute, depending on changing prices, would not be an exaggeration. Cheap by industry standards, but averaging to between $600 to $800 an hour. Add in necessary trial and error, and it could be a bit pricey for DIY filmmakers.
AI Anime is better suited toward commercials, explainer videos, and short videos or dramatizations.
3.) Is there more than one animation style to choose from?
Yes! The first commercial I saw of AI Anime presented a way to make your videos look like Van Gogh paintings. That was nice, but I wanted my animation to look closer to the real world, even though there would be episodes of the fantastic.
4) Will AI Anime translate adult oriented material?
George Metivier was a photographer whose works appeared in magazines as diverse as On Our Backs and Girlfriends to Femme Fatales. This was back in the 90s. I videotaped photography sessions with George Metivier. Metivier passed away in 2014, but his photographs can still be seen in the coffee shops of Long Beach, CA. I have my videos which have been turned into a compilation tape called How To Shoot Naked Ordinary Women. That was what he called his booklet that he sold at shows like Glamourcon and Lifestyles.
You Tube does show exploitation movies from the 60s/70sthat are clearly ‘adult’. YouTube flagged mine. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. I guess it’s okay if you’re an iconic exploitational film director, but not for the ordinary producer.
I wanted to see if AI Anime would process one of George’s sessions.
I tried using Chat GPT to rewrite a portion of my novel which dealt with an abusive preacher. ChatGPT kept telling me to seek psychological help! I realized it was only good for commercials or booklets, but not for real creativity that involves darker material.
Would AI Anime treat me the same way?
AI Anime had no problem translating George’s sessions. There is one issue where a model is being videotaped on top of a building. The way the light hits her causes her bra, and sometimes her nipples, to appear and disappear. That is an issue with lighting and how the tape was shot. Video really needs to be as perfect as you can for the best results. I have included the anime of George’s session in the member’s section of my substack.
Would I recommend Cyberlink’s Power Director 365? Yes, I would!
I plan on going to the Philippines in a few months to work on a video project. These tools will definitely help me interpret the mythology and culture. One curious aspect is the influx of Americans who are leaving the United States for places like Mexico and the Philippines. Are we a help or a hindrance?
Heavy questions for another time! I know whatever media I use, Cyberlink Power Director 365 will help me accomplish that vision.
You can see some of my adult anime, and other content, by becoming a paid subscriber.
Click here and try out Cyber Link’s Power Director 365 for yourself.