Reviewing Intelligent Cinematography: AI research for camera-based video production

TL;DR

This comprehensive review explores AI techniques in camera-based video production, categorizing applications across different production types and highlighting trends, challenges, and ethical considerations impacting the creative industry.

Contribution

It provides the first holistic overview of intelligent cinematography, integrating technical insights and categorizing research in virtual, live, aerial, and general production contexts.

Findings

Virtual production has the highest potential impact.

AI techniques are advancing in camera calibration and content acquisition.

Ethical and legal issues are significant in AI-driven cinematography.

Abstract

This paper offers the first comprehensive review of artificial intelligence (AI) research in the context of real camera content acquisition for entertainment purposes and is aimed at both researchers and cinematographers. Addressing the lack of review papers in the field of intelligent cinematography} (IC) and the breadth of related computer vision research, we present a holistic view of the IC landscape while providing technical insight, important for experts across disciplines. We provide technical background on generative AI, object detection, automated camera calibration and 3-D content acquisition, with references to assist non-technical readers. The application sections categorize work in terms of four production types: General Production, Virtual Production, Live Production and Aerial Production. Within each application section, we (1) sub-classify work according to research topic and (2) describe the trends and challenges relevant to each type of production. In the final chapter, we address the greater scope of IC research and summarize the significant potential of this area to influence the creative industries sector. We suggest that work relating to virtual production has the greatest potential to impact other mediums of production, driven by the growing interest in LED volumes/stages for in-camera virtual effects (ICVFX) and automated 3-D capture for virtual modeling of real world scenes and actors. We also address ethical and legal concerns regarding the use of creative AI that impact on artists, actors, technologists and the general public.