Inside Moonvalley’s Marey: Building AI Tools Hollywood Filmmakers Actually Want

“For the first time ever, you can democratize studio level films,” says Bryn Mooser, co-founder of Moonvalley and Asteria.

We spoke with Bryn in the historic basement speakeasy of the Mack Sennett Studios, a silent movie era soundstage with deep Hollywood roots. It’s a fitting setting to discuss the intersection of film history and emerging technology. Bryn shared his perspectives on how AI is poised to reshape filmmaking workflows, the challenges of current AI tools, and Moonvalley’s approach to building an ethical, filmmaker-focused AI model called Marey.

Hollywood has always evolved with technology—from silent films to sound, color, digital, and now AI. Bryn points out that while these transitions eventually feel natural, they often come with uncertainty and hesitation.

This leap is not just about new tools but about fundamentally changing who can make studio-level films. Bryn traces his own filmmaking journey, noting how the introduction of the Canon 5D camera transformed indie filmmaking by making high-quality image capture affordable and accessible. AI, he believes, could have a similar impact, allowing filmmakers to produce content that previously only studios could afford.

Moonvalley’s story began when Bryn noticed early AI tools like DALL·E and Midjourney creating compelling images but missing the filmmaking context. Inspired by films like Chris Marker’s La Jetée, which uses still images and voiceover, Bryn realized AI image generation could be a foundation for new kinds of storytelling.

However, he saw that many existing AI companies lacked an understanding of how films are truly made and what filmmakers need. He explains:

To address this, Moonvalley teamed up with AI experts from DeepMind who were building a visual intelligence model from the ground up—one designed specifically for media production rather than robotics or self-driving cars. This collaboration birthed Marey, an AI model tailored for film workflows.

Bryn critiques many popular AI tools for lacking control, consistency, and legal clarity, making them impractical for professional filmmaking. He points out that early AI-generated videos often resemble technology demos rather than coherent stories.

He also challenges the misconception that AI will primarily create personalized or interactive movies, noting that most audiences prefer shared, passive viewing experiences. Instead, Bryn envisions AI that supports filmmakers by speeding up development, previs, and post-production tasks:

This approach focuses on augmenting creative workflows rather than replacing filmmakers or studios.

Marey stands out because it is built with Hollywood’s needs and ethical considerations at its core. Bryn emphasizes that the model is “clean,” with all training data properly licensed and cleared, offering studios legal peace of mind.

The model also integrates deeply into existing film production workflows, enhancing—not disrupting—the collaboration between directors, animators, and VFX artists. Bryn draws a parallel to Pixar’s RenderMan, which was transformative because it gave artists direct control over computer-generated imagery instead of leaving it to engineers alone.

One exciting feature Bryn highlights is the ability to adjust camera angles and movements in post-production—even on footage already shot. This could reduce the need for costly reshoots and provide more creative flexibility.

Bryn sees AI as a tool that can lower barriers dramatically, enabling independent filmmakers to create work at the scale and polish of big-budget studio projects but with much smaller budgets. This shift could:

He stresses that this democratization could reshape the industry by shifting power toward creators rather than large studios and gatekeepers.

Moonvalley is actively working with filmmakers like Natasha Lyonne on projects like Uncanny Valley, exploring how Marey can be used in real productions. Bryn believes the real breakthrough will come when filmmakers have access to AI tools designed around their needs, backed by expert teams who understand both technology and storytelling.

He concludes with optimism about AI's inevitable integration into all parts of production workflows, comparing it to how computers and the internet became essential filmmaking tools.

His vision centers on collaboration between technology creators and storytellers to unlock new creative possibilities while respecting the craft and culture of filmmaking.

Bryn Mooser’s work at Moonvalley and Asteria offers a thoughtful approach to AI in film—one that balances innovation with ethical considerations and practical needs. By focusing on tools that fit into existing workflows and empower artists, Marey aims to expand access to high-quality filmmaking and reshape the industry’s creative landscape.

For filmmakers and media professionals, this signals a shift toward AI tools that support creativity without compromising control or quality—a development worth watching closely as it unfolds.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their respective employers or organizations. This show is independently produced by VP Land without the use of any outside company resources, confidential information, or affiliations.