As a filmmaker and author, I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and creativity. When I came across Shamir Allibhai’s AI-powered video editing app, Eddie AI, on LinkedIn, I knew I had to learn more. In an era where content creation is king, could this be the tool that democratizes video storytelling? I sat down with Allibhai to explore the potential of AI in filmmaking and the journey that led him to create Eddie AI.
The Birth of Eddie AI
What exactly is Eddie AI, and how does it work?
Allibhai: Eddie AI is a storytelling partner for creators. It’s akin to ChatGPT but for video editing. You can upload your interview footage, give Eddie a prompt, and get back an edit in seconds. You can iterate with Eddie until you’re happy with the story, and then seamlessly export to Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve.
Can you give an example of how specific the prompts can be?
Allibhai: Absolutely. For interview footage, you can ask Eddie to identify key topics or themes, find the most important soundbites, and cut a five-minute edit for YouTube on specific topics. You can even request alternative storylines or shorter cuts for social media platforms.
What inspired you to create Eddie AI?
Allibhai: I’ve been obsessed with video storytelling since childhood. I used to break every camcorder in the house trying to edit family vacation videos. My career started at the BBC, making documentaries in the post-9/11 Middle East. Many of the challenges I faced then in post-production workflows still influence my thinking today. With recent advancements in AI, I saw an opportunity to address these challenges and empower creative storytellers.
What would you say to those who feel threatened by this technology?
Allibhai: Eddie takes on the tedious and mundane parts of the post-production workflow, liberating storytellers to focus more on creative elements like pacing, polishing, and animation. We’re seeing that removing these frustrating parts actually allows for more creativity. It’s not a zero-sum game; more people are recording and wanting to publish video than ever before. Eddie helps bring out better and more video stories, democratizing the medium.
Who can benefit from using Eddie AI?
Allibhai: Currently, we’re focused on unscripted, interview-based stories. We’re seeing producers, directors, and cinematographers using Eddie to craft stories much faster than before. While we’ve primarily designed it for unscripted content, some users have found value in using it for scripted content as well, particularly for selecting the best takes and crafting initial edits.
What are your short-term and long-term goals for Eddie AI?
Allibhai: Short-term, we want to make Eddie as powerful and valuable to storytellers as possible. We’re focused on the story building blocks, allowing users to execute their vision using simple text prompts. Long-term, we want no story left untold. We hope Eddie AI will enable a revolutionary moment in video storytelling, similar to the shifts we saw with non-linear editing and the move from tape to digital video.
What challenges have you faced in bringing Eddie AI to market?
Allibhai: The journey of all creative endeavors, including birthing a product, is messy. We’re grateful for our early beta testers and design partners who shared feedback, helping us iterate and develop the current interface. We’ve also been inspired by innovations like ChatGPT. One thing I love about tech is the agile methodology, which allows for rapid iteration and learning. I hope Eddie can bring some of this agile thinking to the production process, allowing production and post-production to happen in tandem.
As our conversation drew to a close, I couldn’t help but feel excited about the possibilities Eddie AI presents. Allibhai’s vision of democratizing video storytelling and his journey from filmmaker to tech entrepreneur is a testament to the evolving landscape of content creation. While some may view AI as a threat, Allibhai sees it as a tool to unlock human creativity. As we stand on the brink of this new frontier in filmmaking, one thing is clear: the story of AI in video editing is just beginning.
