Is AI about to replace your video team? Not if you read this first…
At Synima, we’ve always believed great content comes from a smart blend of creativity and craft. That belief has only deepened with the rise of AI in video production. The industry is buzzing—some say AI is about to replace everything from writers to directors, while others are understandably sceptical. The truth? Somewhere in between.
This is why we advocate for a hybrid AI approach: blending the best of AI tools with traditional production methods to produce faster, smarter, and more emotionally resonant video content.
Navigating the AI boom
AI in video production isn’t science fiction—it’s here. From tools that turn text prompts into stylised visuals (Midjourney, DALL-E) to video generators (Runway, Pika), voice clones, and editing software that speeds up post-production—there’s a lot to be excited about.
But let’s be clear: AI isn’t magic. Behind every impressive demo you see online, there’s usually a team of humans refining, correcting, and guiding the process. Prompt engineering, multiple iterations, and careful quality control are essential. What looks like a “one-click video” is often the result of hours of expert intervention.
What AI can—and can’t—do (yet)
AI is brilliant at certain tasks:
- Visualising concepts
- Generating stylised backgrounds
- Automating tedious editing tasks
- Producing voiceovers for drafts
But it still struggles with:
- Emotional nuance
- Narrative coherence
- Realistic movement
- Character consistency
It’s also worth noting that while AI can lower costs in some areas, it can add time and expense in others—especially if quality matters.
Our hybrid AI approach
At Synima, we don’t treat AI as a silver bullet—we treat it as a tool. And like any tool, it works best when used strategically.
Our Hybrid AI approach is built around three key principles:
- Use AI where it excels, and humans where they shine.
AI can help speed up production, but storytelling still belongs to people. - Let humans make the creative calls.
Whether it’s directing talent or shaping a message, real-world experience and emotional intelligence can’t be replaced. - Keep quality control at every step.
Every AI-generated asset goes through human hands before final delivery.
Real-world use cases at Synima
We’ve integrated AI into our workflows in some exciting ways:
- Storyboarding: AI-generated visuals help us pitch ideas quickly and collaboratively.
- Animation: We use interpolation tools to smooth transitions, then layer in human-crafted timing and nuance.
- 3D Modelling: AI gives us a base—our artists bring it to life.
- Post-Production: We automate colour correction and lighting tweaks, freeing up time for more meaningful editing.
This hybrid method has helped us move faster without compromising quality or creativity.
When traditional still wins
There are still plenty of places where traditional production methods are superior:
- Character-led storytelling
- Emotionally complex scenes
- Brand-critical visuals
- Tight legal compliance requirements
These are areas where AI just doesn’t cut it—yet. That’s why we continue to rely on our talented directors, animators, writers, and editors for these core elements.
Smarter decision-making with AI
Not sure when to use AI? Here are some simple prompts we use:
- Is consistency key across scenes or episodes?
- Does the scene require emotional depth or subtle human behaviour?
- Is it a repetitive technical task (like rotoscoping or upscaling)?
- Is originality or brand protection a concern?
- Do we have time to iterate, or is the deadline tight?
These questions help us decide which parts of a project are ripe for AI—and which need the human touch.
Communicating AI’s role clearly
We also help clients talk to stakeholders about AI with clarity and confidence. For decision-makers, we focus on business outcomes. For creative teams, we frame AI as a helpful assistant, not a creative replacement. And for everyone, we stay transparent—always.
The road ahead
AI is evolving fast. Over the next couple of years, we expect better video coherence, smarter editing tools, and new forms of personalised content. But our advice? Don’t chase every new tool—build flexible workflows and stay focused on your core creative goals.
The Synima difference
We’re not just an AI video company. We’re a team of creative professionals with offices in London, New York, LA, and Amsterdam, using cutting-edge AI and decades of production expertise to deliver powerful storytelling.
By embracing Hybrid AI, we’re helping clients create content that’s faster, fresher, and more emotionally compelling—without losing the human spark that makes great video truly connect.
Want to explore how Hybrid AI could work for your next project?
Book a free AI consultancy session or get in touch at hello@synima.com.
Let’s make something brilliant—together.