A new course focused on artificial intelligence (AI) assisted film and video production will be introduced at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in summer 2026. Developed by faculty members Keif Oss, Jonny Wheeler, and Co O’Neill, the course aims to teach students how to create short narrative films using AI tools throughout all stages of production.
“It is certainly on the vanguard. We are moving beyond ‘allowing’ the use of AI in filmmaking to establish it as a baseline competency. Students will use AI tools to generate scripts, storyboards, shot lists, visual effects, video, music, voice-overs and sound effects,” said Wheeler, who will instruct the course.
The curriculum includes viewing films and shorts that demonstrate AI-generated content. One example is a short film by Wheeler inspired by “Beowulf,” set in a post-human world with an ape protagonist.
The idea for this course began when Oss attended the National Association of Broadcasters conference in Las Vegas in spring 2025 to explore new uses of AI in video production. At that time, industry applications primarily enhanced productivity rather than replaced human image creation. “At that time, most industry applications centered on productivity rather than replacing human image creation, though AI-generated imagery was clearly already a part of many preproduction and visualization pipelines,” Oss said.
During the conference, Oss engaged with Curious Refuge—a company specializing in AI production training—and FBRC.ai (Fabric), which advises on integrating AI workflows into feature films and high-production projects.
After returning from NAB, Oss joined Wheeler and O’Neill to secure a Chancellor’s Professional Development Fund grant supporting teaching excellence. Departmental support allowed them to access training with Curious Refuge and complete online courses focused on AI filmmaking.
“We intentionally divided focus areas: Jonny concentrated on AI-driven narrative filmmaking, virtual production and speculative fiction; Co on advanced narrative workflows; and me on documentary production using AI-assisted methods,” Oss said. “This distributed learning diversely informed the development of our new course. Micheal Heagle, animation, had also been studying this extensively and provided valuable contributions to the course’s design.”
Faculty recommend several current tools for various aspects of film production: Artist.io for voiceover work; ElevenLabs for sound effects; Gemini for scriptwriting; Kling and Midjourney for images; Sora for generating videos from images; Suno for music composition; and VEO (Flow) for video editing.
However, O’Neill cautioned about rapid changes in available technology: “The best tool for something today might be a different tool next week, and new platforms – or new names for old platforms – are popping up monthly. Nano Banana, for example, is Google’s image generator under a new name that they announced in November,” he said.
O’Neill observed that many students already use AI to brainstorm scripts or camera shots or experiment with visual effects before assembling full crews or finalizing storyboards. “AI’s potential in making amazing-looking visual effects without the time, expense and danger of a full production is undeniable. The speed at which a creator can iterate! AI is an amazing pre-production tool because you can try out thousands upon thousands of shots and shot combinations before getting the whole crew together,” he said.
“I feel that AI tools are equivalent to inexpensive, high-quality cameras, editing software, lighting and other equipment. Any tool that helps someone visualize a story is a good thing,” he added.
Wheeler emphasized generative artificial intelligence’s value during early project phases: “It is an incredible tool for ‘world-building,’ helping us visualize the iconography for a new landscape before we ever pick up a camera. It allows us to iterate rapidly on set designs, color palettes and lighting schemes,” he said.
Oss noted how his documentary courses utilize Elicit—an application supporting research by referencing peer-reviewed journals—and Perplexity—which helps identify resources or experts related to project topics. ChatGPT assists students with drafting communications when reaching out to potential interview subjects or organizations.
“I frame AI as a starting point, not a replacement for authentic communication but for students who are apprehensive or inexperienced it lowers the barrier to initiating human contact. In this way,
AI becomes a scaffold that supports and strengthens their communication skills,” Oss explained.
While faculty see these technologies as ways to enhance creativity within traditional filmmaking pipelines,
they do not view them as replacements.
O’Neill remarked: “Acting will never be good with AI because so much of performance is nuanced.
AI could help with replacing wardrobe,
de-aging or stuff like that.
But there will never be enough data centers in the world that can replicate
the delicate pauses
and intonation
of
a performance like George Clooney
in ‘Michael Clayton’
or Zoe Saldaña
in ‘Star Trek.’”
Wheeler agreed:
“GenAI should augment
the diegesis,
not entirely replace
the elements that give
a story its soul.”
Oss added:
“AI isn’t always necessarily faster.
It doesn’t immediately get anything right.
Almost every artifact you generate takes further human curation and expansion.
If your approach is to feed a prompt,
copy it,
then paste that as your work,
1) It’s not your work,
and 2) It’s probably not good work.
It only gets you to a point where you can leap from the idea lead
and take the next steps.”
UW-Stout continues embedding artificial intelligence across its programs through research initiatives spanning generative models,
machine learning,
and deep research methods.
The university’s interdisciplinary teams—such as its AI Fellows group—help direct integration efforts relating both operationally
and academically while considering governance issues including ethics
and literacy standards.
These activities receive support through Workforce Development funding allocated between 2023–25.
UW-Stout’s School of Art & Design ranks among Midwest public institutions offering diverse bachelor’s degrees such as animation/digital media;
game design;
graphic/interactive media;
illustration;
industrial/product design;
interior design;
studio art;
arts administration/entrepreneurship;
fashion design/development;
video production—and an M.F.A program in design—as well as launching game/media studies programs recently.
As part of its mission within Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University system,
UW-Stout emphasizes practical education blending theory with applied experience.
Its facilities include modern labs,
studios,
technology resources,
and partnerships designed
to foster career readiness
through hands-on instruction
and industry collaboration (source,source). The university also provides technology support such as supplying laptops via its eStout program.
Founded in 1891 by state Sen.
James Huff Stout,
UW-Stout maintains its campus
at Menomonie,
Wisconsin (source).
