Filmmaking / Directing

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What Does This Mean for Us as Filmmakers?

Big news out of the Academy this week, and it’s going to spark a lot of conversations in our community.

The Academy has officially updated its rules to clarify that AI actors and AI‑generated performances will not be eligible for Oscar consideration, and the same goes for AI‑written screenplays. Only real human performers and human‑authored scripts qualify.

They were very explicit:

• Acting categories → only roles performed by humans with their consent are eligible.

• Writing categories → screenplays must be human‑authored, not generated by a chatbot.

This comes right after an AI recreation of Val Kilmer was shown publicly, which clearly pushed the Academy to draw a line.

Read here:

https://www.france24.com/en/culture/20260501-ai-actors-and-writers-will-...

What does this mean for us as directors?

For me, it raises a few interesting points:

1. The Academy is protecting performance as a human craft.

Directing actors is one of the most intimate, collaborative parts of filmmaking. This decision reinforces that the emotional, physical, and psychological work of acting can’t be replaced by a model trained on past footage.

2. It also protects the writer’s voice.

A screenplay isn’t just structure, it’s perspective, lived experience, and intention. The Academy is saying that matters.

3. But AI is still here as a tool.

The Academy isn’t banning AI from filmmaking entirely, just from replacing core creative roles. We can still use AI for previs, worldbuilding, design exploration, or workflow support. The line is drawn at authorship and performance.

For directors, this is a moment to reflect:

• How do we want to use AI in ways that support our craft rather than replace it?

• How do we protect the integrity of performance while still embracing innovation?

• And what does this mean for the future of casting, rehearsal, and actor‑director collaboration?

Curious to hear from the directing side:

Do you feel this ruling protects the craft, or does it limit creative possibilities?

How do you see AI fitting (or not fitting) into your directing process?

Psychological thrillers are no longer “safe mid-budget genre films.”

They have quietly become one of the smartest investment positions in modern cinema.

Why?

Because they sit in a rare intersection between:

- prestige

- profitability

- controlled production risk

- global portability

- streaming longevity

And very few genres can currently offer all five at once.

While blockbuster budgets continue expanding into dangerous territory, psychological thrillers scale differently.

They scale emotion.

The audience is not paying to watch cities collapse. They are paying to feel destabilized.

And that distinction matters.

A strong psychological thriller relies on:

- atmosphere

- performance intensity

- tension systems

- moral ambiguity

- sound design

- psychological immersion

These are dramatically more cost-efficient than spectacle-heavy filmmaking.

Yet when executed properly, they create enormous audience engagement.

And importantly:

- They travel globally.

- Fear translates.

- Suspicion translates.

- Trauma translates.

A shadow crossing a hallway requires no cultural explanation.

A morally fractured protagonist works in every territory.

That makes psychological thrillers highly attractive for:

- international pre-sales

- streaming acquisition

- festival positioning

- long-tail licensing value

Another reason the genre is thriving:

Audiences have become psychologically sophisticated. People no longer want simple heroes and villains.

They want:

- unstable perception

- emotional contradiction

- layered psychology

- ambiguity that lingers after the credits roll

Which is why psychological thrillers generate something incredibly valuable:

Repeat viewing.

The audience revisits the film searching for meaning. They discuss interpretations. They analyze symbolism. They debate reality versus perception.

In today’s fragmented attention economy, that kind of engagement is gold.

This entire philosophy shaped how I designed Yohana’s World.

A prestige-scale psychological thriller engineered around:

- perception distortion

- emotional suppression

- trauma fragmentation

- symbolic visual language

- controlled cinematic tension

Because the smartest genre investments today are not necessarily the loudest ones. They are the ones designed to endure.

Read the full article complementing this post: https://blog.yohanasworld.com/psychological-thriller-investment-insights/

Learn more about Yohana’s World on: https://yohanasworld.com/

Read the first 21 pages of the screenplay here : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l1P1dKHB_XoqHUJ55vh-m-2F4PE9oHcL/view

“Backstory is a set of events that have occurred before the main story. These events can either be alluded to, described by one or more characters, or shown in flashbacks. Oftentimes, a backstory for a character is used to give some quick info on an introduced character or to dramatically reveal something about a character later.

Backstory can also just be used for the writer to make their characters as developed as possible, without the need to actually mention any of it in the narrative”. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-backstory-definition/

Character Backstory is essentially everything that has happened to a character before the story begins. It is a fundamental aspect of script analysis and character development for both actors and directors.

Character backstory in movies refers to the history, experiences, and events that have shaped a character's personality, motivations, and actions. It can also include details about the character's family, upbringing, education, relationships, and significant life events.

Character backstory is often revealed through dialogue, flashbacks, or other story devices, and it helps to provide depth and complexity to the character, making them more relatable and believable to the audience.

The importance of a backstory cannot be overlooked because it provides depth and complexity to a character, making them more relatable and believable to the audience. It also allows actors to fully embody their character and create a more authentic and compelling performance.

NEXT ARTICLE: Six Types of Backstory

Kane Parsons was a teenager uploading creepy videos to YouTube about an infinite maze of yellow rooms with buzzing fluorescent lights. Now he's 20, and his feature Backrooms is hitting theaters May 29 from A24. He becomes the studio's youngest feature director ever. Personally, I'm very excited for the film!

The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, with James Wan and Shawn Levy producing. Parsons built the original YouTube series using free software called Blender, teaching himself as he went. For the movie, he and his team built a 30,000-square-foot physical set of the backrooms—and people were actually getting lost in it. What I love about this story is how Parsons describes the film. He says it's "a pretty lonely film," with rarely more than one or two characters on screen at a time. It's about a therapist tracking down a missing patient in this bizarre dimension. The horror comes from the human brain's inability to map infinite space, not from jump scares or monsters.

Parsons also has a smart take on why the backrooms concept went viral. He calls it a "collective anxiety around the system—economic, industrial or otherwise—that has been building for the past few centuries." It's about sensory deprivation and a nervous system so desperate for stimulation that it starts finding patterns where there are none.

This feels like a genuinely new kind of horror movie, made by someone who grew up with the exact tools that let him bypass the traditional system. Excited to see what he does next. Anyone else following this one? Read more about it here! https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/backrooms-kane-parso...

I think one of the biggest shifts happening in cinema right now is this:

For over a decade, large-scale spectacle dominated the market.

But recently, something interesting has happened.

People still enjoy scale, but they increasingly remember stories that disturb them internally.

That is why psychological thrillers are becoming such a powerful category again.

Because they are emotionally aligned with the times we live in.

Modern audiences are navigating:

- uncertainty

- emotional isolation

- fractured identity

- distrust of systems

- information overload

So naturally, stories built around unstable perception and internal conflict feel incredibly relevant.

And from a production standpoint, the genre occupies a fascinating sweet spot.

A well-designed psychological thriller can:

- operate within contained budgets

- attract serious acting talent

- perform strongly on streaming

- generate repeat viewing

- sustain long-term audience discussion

That combination is strategically valuable.

Especially today.

Another major factor is audience sophistication.

Viewers have become narratively literate.

They no longer want simple “good vs evil” thrillers.

They want:

- layered protagonists

- emotional ambiguity

- unreliable perception

- psychological tension rooted in character

In other words:

They want immersion.

I genuinely believe we are moving into what could become the era of the “Perception Thriller.”

Stories where the tension comes less from plot twists and more from cognitive destabilization.

- Is the protagonist reliable?

- Is reality shifting?

- Is trauma shaping perception?

That form of storytelling creates participation.

The audience actively interprets the narrative rather than passively consuming it.

And in the streaming era, that matters enormously.

Because lingering stories survive longer than loud ones.

This philosophy shaped how I designed Yohana’s World as a psychologically immersive system built around:

- perception distortion

- emotional suppression

- identity fracture

- controlled psychological tension

A contained but cinematic psychological thriller designed for both prestige and commercial scalability.

Read the full article complementing this post: https://blog.yohanasworld.com/psychological-thriller-film-market-trends/

Learn more about Yohana’s World on: https://yohanasworld.com/

Read the first 21 pages of the screenplay here : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l1P1dKHB_XoqHUJ55vh-m-2F4PE9oHcL/view

41. Scapegoat: The scapegoat is a character who is blamed or punished for the actions of others, often serving as a symbol of societal or group dynamics. They can be a source of injustice and can provide a sense of catharsis in the story. Piggy in "Lord of the Flies" becomes the group's target for blame and anger.

42. Seeker: A character who is on a journey of discovery, searching for knowledge, truth, or purpose. Their quest often drives the plot and leads to personal growth, while also uncovering important themes or mysteries within the story. Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" embarks on a quest to find the Ark of the Covenant.

43. Sidekick: The sidekick is a loyal and supportive character who assists the protagonist in their journey. They often provide comic relief and help the protagonist overcome obstacles. The sidekick can be a friend, a family member, or even a pet. Ron Weasley in "Harry Potter" stands by Harry’s side through every challenge.

44. Survivor: The survivor is a character who perseveres through hardship and adversity and serves as a symbol of resilience and strength. They can be a source of inspiration and can provide a sense of hope and determination in the story. Ellen Ripley in "Alien" endures immense challenges, showcasing resilience.

45. Symbol: The symbol is a character that represents an idea, theme, or concept in the story. They can be a source of deeper meaning and can help to convey the story's themes and messages. Aslan in "The Chronicles of Narnia" symbolizes sacrifice and redemption.

46. Tactician: A character who excels in strategy and planning, often orchestrating complex operations or guiding others through intricate challenges. Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible" meticulously plans high-stakes heists and missions, relying on his tactical skills to outwit adversaries.

47. Trickster: The trickster character uses cunning, deception, and wit to outsmart adversaries and achieve their goals. They may employ clever tactics and schemes to manipulate situations to their advantage, adding an element of intrigue and unpredictability to the story. Loki in "Thor" manipulates events with wit and cunning.

48. Villain: A malevolent or morally corrupt character who acts as a primary source of conflict in the story. They may have their own motivations and goals that are in direct opposition to those of the protagonist. Voldemort in "Harry Potter" embodies evil and opposes Harry's journey.

49. Visionary: A character who dreams of a better future and inspires others to strive toward an ideal. Their optimism and forward-thinking perspective often clash with practical or cynical forces in the story. Steve Jobs in "Steve Jobs" envisions the future of technology and innovation.

50. Voice of Reason: A character who provides logical, calm, and often pragmatic advice or insights, helping to ground the protagonist or other characters when emotions run high. They act as a stabilizing force in chaotic situations, offering clarity and perspective. Dr. Ellie Sattler in "Jurassic Park" offers logical perspectives in chaotic situations.

51. Wanderer: A character with no fixed destination or purpose, often serving as a drifter who encounters the story's central conflict by chance. Their perspective as an outsider can bring a fresh lens to the story. Huck Finn in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" drifts along the Mississippi, exploring freedom and morality.

NEXT ARTICLE: Character Backstory

With Star Wars Day coming up, let’s take a moment to celebrate one of the most influential franchises in filmmaking history.

What’s your favorite Star Wars film, and why?

But beyond just picking a favorite, I’d love to hear about your relationship with Star Wars.

Did you:

Grow up watching the original trilogy?

Discover it during the prequel era?

Fall in love with it through the newer films or Disney series?

Or come to it later through a friend, partner, or even as a filmmaker studying its impact?

Let’s also focus this on what you love: the characters, the films, the storylines that stayed with you. Every era of Star Wars means something to someone, and every film is someone’s favorite. Let’s keep this a space for celebration, not bashing.

Star Wars has shaped so much of modern filmmaking, from world-building and visual effects to character archetypes and storytelling structure. For a lot of us, it’s also deeply personal.

So what’s your favorite Star Wars story, and which characters or moments have stuck with you the most?