The Californer - Cal State LA hosts symposium to prepare students for the future of visual storytelling

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LOS ANGELES - Californer -- More than 80 students, staff, and faculty from multiple California State University campuses converged at Cal State LA for the AI in Filmmaking Symposium, a full-day event exploring the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in visual storytelling.

The Feb. 20 symposium was organized by Cal State LA Professor Nidhin Patel of the Department of Television, Film, and Media Studies (TVFM), with support from the Film Productions Club.

"AI is quickly reshaping the business and craft of visual storytelling," said Professor Patel. "Various AI tools are being integrated into all aspects of filmmaking by production companies of all sizes."

He noted, "It is increasingly clear that artists with no knowledge of these tools might find themselves at a disadvantage. Our goal was to give students structured opportunities to build skills in this area and explore the resources AI offers to visual storytellers."

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The symposium opened with welcome remarks from Dean Stephen Trzaskoma of the College of Arts and Letters at Cal State LA, followed by the session, "Supercharge Your Visuals with GenAI," led by DGA Director and Advent Films Executive Producer AJ Bleyer, as well as a session on "Fundamental Ethics of AI Use as a Student and a Creative Professional," presented by Professor Jessica Santos, director of sustainability at Sound of Earth.

Professor April Brown, a Cal State LA faculty member in attendance, said, "The AI symposium provided our faculty and students with a survey of this rapidly changing field, firsthand experience with tools used by today's film and television professionals, and an exploration of the ethical implications involved."

She added, "It also offered guidance on practical tools students can use to improve efficiency, workflow, and creativity, making them more marketable, nimble, and prepared to create and implement their vision."

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The daylong event featured 11 speakers, four hands-on workshops, and three demonstrations from representatives of assistive and generative AI-based applications. Participants gained practical insight into how AI is reshaping every stage of filmmaking—from concept development and preproduction to postproduction and distribution.

"This was a massive undertaking, and an important one," Patel said. "More than 80% of survey respondents said events like this ensure that our students stay informed and keep in step with the times."

Read more about the symposium: https://news.calstatela.edu/2026/03/06/cal-state-la-hosts-ai-in-filmmaking-symposium-to-prepare-students-for-the-future-of-visual-storytelling/