Beeble AI, a South Korea-based VFX startup, is revolutionizing the film industry by using artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle the high cost of visual effects tools. The company has secured $4.75 million in seed funding led by Basis Set Ventures, valuing Beeble AI at $25 million. This funding will enable the startup to develop its virtual lighting solutions and expand its business to offer a comprehensive virtual production studio platform.
The founding members of Beeble AI, who previously worked at the AI research team of South Korean game publisher Krafton, recognized the importance of lighting in filmmaking and photography. They noticed a gap in the market for an AI startup focused on “lighting,” which led to the birth of Beeble AI. The company’s main product, SwitchLight Studio (soon to be rebranded as Virtual Studio), is a desktop app that provides relighting and composition within virtual environments.
The goal of Beeble AI is to level the playing field in the film industry by empowering independent filmmakers and content creators to compete with larger productions. Virtual production, which combines virtual and physical settings in film creation, has become a rapidly growing area of visual effects and filming. However, the cost and complexity of traditional virtual production techniques using LED walls have made them accessible only to filmmakers with large budgets.
Beeble AI’s virtual production platform takes a different approach by virtualizing real actors into the virtual world. With just a phone camera, users can access infinite locations, lighting, and camera options within a virtual environment. This technology provides filmmakers with greater flexibility and creative control at a much lower cost.
The company’s foundational AI model is at the core of achieving significant cost reductions. This model automatically digitizes 2D footage of an actor’s performance into a physically accurate 3D representation. It allows artists to alter lighting, environments, and camera angles, giving them complete freedom and reducing budget constraints. Beeble AI’s aim is to enable fully controllable video creation with AI, allowing creators to focus on storytelling and perfecting their shots.
Beeble AI has already generated revenue through its SwitchLight mobile app, which has been downloaded by over 3 million users. The startup is also integrating its relighting features into Caption AI’s app through an SDK. With the new funding, Beeble AI plans to advance its foundational AI model, further develop its products, and expand its team.
The company’s innovative approach to virtual production and AI-driven content creation has the potential to disrupt the film industry. It not only empowers independent filmmakers and content creators but also appeals to B2B companies like ReelShort, which specializes in serialized dramas. Unlike generative AI models that often produce random content, Beeble AI focuses on predictability and ease of manipulation, providing artists with full control over every detail of their projects.
In conclusion, Beeble AI’s use of AI technology to address the high cost of VFX tools is a game-changer for the film industry. By offering virtual lighting solutions and a comprehensive virtual production studio platform, the startup is empowering independent filmmakers and content creators to compete with larger productions. With its foundational AI model and focus on predictability and ease of manipulation, Beeble AI is poised to revolutionize the way films are created and bring Hollywood-level visual effects to a wider audience.
