“AI doesn’t replace creativity—it coaxes it out of hiding.”
"Kate Polet is an AI Director, Producer, and the creative force behind Polet Production. With a Master’s in Motion Pictures and Television, Kate blends classic film techniques with cutting-edge AI to tell powerful, visually immersive stories. She’s also the founder of the First Kids Movie Studio, where she’s using technology to spark creativity in the next generation."
Kate Polet
AI Film Director and Producer
From TikTok avatars to AI-generated music and emotionally driven visuals, filmmaker and creative technologist Kate Polet shares how AI tools are disrupting traditional filmmaking and why creators of all levels should embrace them now.
Watch the full episode here:
Pitching Dreams in Pajamas: How AI Levels the Playing Field for Creators
As a filmmaker with a background in traditional cinema, I’ve lived the grind. But AI flipped the entire script.
Today, I can be in my pajamas, at my desk, pitching ad concepts to global brands like Starbucks or Apple—with no fancy studio, no big team, and zero gatekeepers.
With tools like Sora AI, Clinch, and Runway Gen-2, you can visualize your ideas, create a full-blown proof of concept, and get your dream project off the ground faster than ever.
From Anxiety to Avatars: Turning Emotions into Visual Stories
Creativity can be heavy with impostor syndrome, anxiety, and doubt. I asked AI to visualize those emotions. What would anxiety look like as a creature? Or depression?
The visuals were raw, surreal, and beautiful, and they became the seeds for a short film.
This is what AI does best: it gives form to the invisible. It helps creators turn inner struggles into powerful stories and reels, all without a full film crew or even a camera.
The Truth About AI Avatars in Content Creation
I’ve worked with AI-generated avatars for TikTok marketing campaigns, and they’re incredibly efficient. If your creator disappears mid-project or delays delivery, AI avatars can save the campaign. With a script and some B-roll, you’ve got a polished ad in minutes.
But there’s a downside: they still look fake. They feel… lifeless. Audiences know it’s AI. It can make your product feel inauthentic, even if it’s not.
The solution? Blend real humans with AI elements. Keep the spark.
My Obsession: AI Music with Suno & Mixing Sinatra with Bruno Mars
I’m currently obsessed with Suno AI for music production. Watching creators blend modern hits with vintage legends like Frank Sinatra using AI is mind-blowing. I tried it myself—what would Bruno Mars sound like if Sinatra sang his song? The result was cinematic.
But here’s the catch: it took thousands of prompts to get one good result. AI music isn’t plug-and-play—it’s experimental audio storytelling.
AI and Kids: Where I Draw the Line
I started the first kids’ movie studio using cinematic AI tools, but when it comes to kids and AI avatars, there’s a clear ethical boundary. Due to new international laws, we can’t even use European children in AI-generated content.
But kids should still learn how to use AI in filmmaking. They’re wildly creative, and tools like filters, AI sound design, and editing apps help them express ideas that are often beyond words.
A Double-Edged Sword: Why We Still Need Real Cameras
Yes, AI democratizes content creation and makes production cheaper. But I’ve seen creators get so deep into the tech that they stop making real films altogether.
Don’t forget the joy of real sets, real actors, real energy. I’ve worked on huge productions—$1 million shoots with ships and helicopters. AI can’t replicate that. At least not yet.
Entertain, Don’t Deceive: The Ethics of Generative AI in Film
AI lets us create dragons, dream sequences, and even fake disasters. But there’s a thin line between storytelling and misinformation.
I’ve seen AI-generated videos of children in danger go viral, and people believe they’re real. That’s dangerous.
The Future: AI Celebrities, Scriptless Stories & Global Access
I’m part of the AI Film Festival this year, and people are already making 15-minute narrative films with tools like Runway, Pika Labs, and Midjourney. I genuinely believe we’ll see:
- AI movie stars
- AI-generated entire soundtracks
- Global creators making studio-level films from their laptops
That’s the future. It’s already here.
Old Doors, New Locks: My Advice to Traditional Filmmakers
Directors like Christopher Nolan are skeptical. I get it. When you’ve worked your whole life a certain way, change can feel like a threat. But AI isn’t here to erase cinema—it’s here to expand it.
Use AI as a creative ally, not a crutch.
Final Words: Just Start!
To every hesitant filmmaker out there: Just. Start. Play around. Let your inner child experiment. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be in motion.
That’s where the magic happens.
