Ex-Googler, Filmmaker Launch DreamFlare Studio for AI Video

DreamFlare AI, a newly unveiled startup, aims to assist content creators in producing and monetizing short-form AI-generated content

Josh Liss, a former Google employee, and Rob Bralver, a documentary filmmaker, co-founded the organization. It does not manufacture or distribute its own AI technology for video production.

Instead, it is envisioned as a studio where professional storytellers collaborate with creators to produce video content using third-party AI tools such as ElevenLabs, Midjourney, and Runway. The recordings will subsequently be disseminated through a subscription-based online service.

Creators will receive compensation from revenue-sharing on subscriptions and advertising, in addition to a few other options.

Flips, which are comic book-style stories with AI-generated short clips and images that users can scroll through, and Spins, which are interactive choose-your-own-adventure short films that allow viewers to alter specific outcomes of the story, are the two types of animated content that DreamFlare will provide on the platform.

At a time when Hollywood artists perceive AI technology as a threat, DreamFlare’s launch is timely.

The Animation Guild, a union for animation artists, commissioned a 2024 study that revealed that 75% of film production companies that employ AI have reduced or eliminated employment.

DreamFlare maintains that it is establishing a new market for creators to generate revenue from a novel form of entertainment; despite these reservations, it is staying in all existing positions.

Liss told TechCrunch, “It presents an opportunity for creators to democratize storytelling.” “We are enthusiastic about enabling humans to utilize this tool to tell captivating new stories,” he continued.

FoundersX Ventures, which has invested, is among the optimistic about AI entertainment and video platforms such as DreamFlare.

The company also asserts that it has established creative partnerships with executives from the entertainment industry, such as Universal, Netflix, and Disney.

In addition, Liss stated that DreamFlare has collaborated with “Oscar and Emmy award-winning filmmakers and showrunners.” She also said they are “maintaining anonymity due to the controversy surrounding [AI-generated content].”

According to the organization, it has secured $1.6 million in funding thus far.

The operation of DreamFlare is as follows:

Creators on DreamFlare can utilize any existing AI tool that provides paid plans; however, numerous of these tools are accompanied by ethical and legal concerns.

For instance, OpenAI, the organization responsible for the Sora model, does not provide information regarding its procurement of training videos.

DreamFlare asserts that it has a stringent review procedure to prevent submissions from being based on copyrighted material and does not permit R-rated content.

The platform provides a DMCA termination notice to individuals who believe their copyright has been infringed upon when published content fails to meet these standards.

Bralver elaborated, “We are perpetually striving to ensure the quality, safety, and legality of all content before it is published on the platform.”

Creators who complete DreamFlare’s application procedure collaborate with the creative team to develop stories.

(DreamFlare team members are former Disney and Universal executives elected to maintain their anonymity, per the company.)

The platform allows the creation of content inspired by public domain characters, such as Little Red Riding Hood, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Frankenstein, and Thor, even though copyrighted intellectual property such as “Star Wars” is not permitted.

During a platform demo, we observed that the quality of AI-generated video output was satisfactory despite the occasional sluggish and occasionally peculiar animation style.

(The caliber is certainly not comparable to that of Pixar.) Some of the content on DreamFlare is innovative and inventive, such as a story about a cat detective who overindulged in catnip.

DreamFlare offers creators the opportunity to generate revenue through four distinct methods:

• Platform revenue sharing.
• Ad revenue reductions.
• Tips from admirers.
• A forthcoming marketplace that will enable creators to sell merchandise.

Additionally, a fan fund enables admirers to contribute to content creators and engage in the process.

For instance, if a user purchases the Supporter bundle, they will be acknowledged in the credits of a subsequent video.

A devotee can engage with the creator in a private Discord channel if they wish to pay a higher price.

The followers who contribute the most are promoted to producer status and receive exclusive insights into the content creation process.

There are approximately 100 content creators on the platform at its introduction, offering a wide variety of content, including sci-fi, comedy, fantasy, mystery, and more.

DreamFlare’s premium membership is $2.99 monthly or $24 annually. It is offering a one-year subscription for $9.99, a limited-time offer. Additionally, complimentary weekly content attempts to captivate individuals with the concept.