MindRiot Entertainment, the transatlantic production company co-founded by Justin MacGregor and Jonathan Keasey, is embarking on an ambitious venture with their new slate of “AI-ready” animation films under the banner Hum-AI-ne ©ontent. Partnering with Seattle-based lawyer Philip Egger and his tech outfit SJ4, the collaboration will utilize cutting-edge text-to-video AI technology for film production.
Egger and his team showcased this groundbreaking technology at the Cannes Film Festival, drawing significant industry attention. Hum-AI-ne ©ontent’s initial slate includes eight diverse projects spanning episodic formats, both long and short, as well as limited series. Discussions are ongoing with top-tier directors to join the innovative venture.
The flagship project, “Gelert: A Prince Rises,” is an animated family adventure currently in pre-production. Another high-profile addition is the action-packed film “Renegade Racer,” developed by Keasey and Scott Waugh, known for “The Expendables 4.” Waugh emphasized the importance of preserving the roles of actors, writers, directors, musicians, and post-production artists, even with the integration of AI technology.
Keasey, a member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), assured that all projects will be union-stamped, ensuring fair compensation and proper credit for voice actors and animators. Initially skeptical of AI’s role in filmmaking, Keasey’s perspective changed after witnessing an AI-generated film by Egger’s team. Although impressed by the visuals, he emphasized the need for the irreplaceable human element that defines cinematic magic.
MindRiot Entertainment has a track record of notable projects, including Danielle Deadwyler’s “Parallel” and the upcoming OceanGate film “Salvaged.” Their current slate features an adaptation of Tobias Wolff’s “The Barracks Thief,” the prison drama “Four The Yard,” and the Gary Payton docuseries “Trash Talk.” The next release will be “Tow,” starring Rose Byrne, based on the true story of a mother and daughter facing Seattle’s housing crisis.
Keasey is represented by David Matlof and Adam Vitable at Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof + Fishman and Circle Management + Production. Scott Waugh is represented by Stuart Rosenthal at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson, & Glusker and UTA.
