From Vliv to Sora: A Cinematic Evolution in Mobile Video Creation

For more than a century, the enchantment of cinema has woven itself into the fabric of our lives. From the early days of unwieldy cameras to the sleek sophistication of smartphones, the essence of cinematic storytelling has left an indelible mark on how we share our tales. Yet, even with the convenience of mobile devices, the art of crafting cinematic videos remained a formidable challenge.

14 years ago, in 2012, a venture led by creative minds Ashish Chadha, Vaibhav Suri, and myself set out to bridge this gap. Enter the Vliv Video app, a brainchild designed to untangle the complex and expensive threads of filmmaking, especially for those seeking to capture life's spontaneity through their mobile phones. With over a 50K weekly active users and a spot among the top 500 video apps on the Apple App Store, Vliv became the empowering force that allowed ordinary individuals to effortlessly create their own movies.

Vliv Video App, 2012

Vliv Video app, Editing interface

However, for all its triumphs in democratizing video creation, Vliv came with its set of challenges. The output often lacked the cinematic quality that many of us aspired to achieve. The limitations of mobile devices proved to be hurdles.

As we delved into usability tests of Vliv, we uncovered invaluable lessons:

• One of the key hurdles was the limited screen real estate. Mobile screens, inherently smaller than traditional filmmaking setups, made it challenging for users to have a comprehensive view of their footage, affecting the overall composition and framing of shots.

• Touchscreen controls became both a boon and a bane in mobile filmmaking. While they provided flexibility for camera adjustments, zooming, and other settings, they also led to accidental touches, imprecise controls, and difficulties in achieving the desired level of precision.

• Battery life emerged as a persistent concern. Filming and editing videos consumed substantial amounts of battery power, leading to interruptions and frustration, especially during more extended filming sessions.

• Mobile devices varied significantly in processing power and storage capacity, straining resources and resulting in slower performance, potential crashes, or limitations on the length and quality of videos.

• Despite improvements in smartphone cameras, they still fell short in providing the same level of control and quality as dedicated cameras. Limitations in settings like manual focus, aperture adjustments, and low-light performance persisted.

• Capturing high-quality audio, especially in noisy environments, remained a challenge for mobile phones, impacting the overall production quality.

• Diversity in mobile devices and their specifications led to inconsistent video quality and user experiences. What looked good on one device didn't necessarily translate the same way on another, affecting the intended viewing experience.

• Mobile devices lacked sophisticated built-in stabilisation features, resulting in shaky footage that compromised the overall professionalism of the video.

• Editing capabilities were limited compared to professional editing software, posing challenges in achieving advanced edits and adding nuanced effects to videos.

Then why did people still made videos on Vliv?

Despite these challenges, the passion for sharing videos online persisted, with platforms like Vliv witnessing enthusiastic participation. Accessibility and convenience played a pivotal role mobile devices, always at hand, eliminated the need for additional equipment.

• Shooting and editing on readily available mobile devices eliminated the need for extra equipment. Immediate access to capturing spontaneous moments contributed to the appeal.

• Sharing videos fostered social bonds, creating a sense of community and connectivity. We noticed videos uploaded daily from Besties, Groups, and Individuals experimenting with their expressions. Instant feedback through likes, comments, and shares motivated content creators with instant gratification.

• Mobile video creation allowed for unique self-expression and experimentation. Influencers inspired others, building online presence and motivation.

• Evolving consumption habits favored visually engaging video content. Vliv offered avenues for creators to earn, motivating investment in video creation.

The instant capture of moments, social connection, validation, creativity, influence, and evolving consumption habits fueled the popularity of mobile video creation.

How does this change with AI?

12 years after Vliv, now, the stage transforms with Sora. I was really impressed by its amazing capabilities that they are claiming and the new opportunities this new way of film making brings to creators table . What sets Sora apart is its seamless integration of artificial intelligence. As a creator, I find myself equipped with smart editing tools that not only simplify the process but also inspire new creative dimensions.

The democratization of filmmaking takes a colossal leap forward as Sora eliminates the need for expensive equipment and intricate setups that once determined the quality of a production. The cumbersome process of setting up scenes, adjusting lighting, and managing technical variables becomes a relic of the past. Sora makes my filmmaking cheaper, faster, and more prompt—an arduous process now streamlined by the efficiency of artificial intelligence.

In pushing the video-making landscape, Sora introduces innovative features and leverages artificial intelligence to tackle existing challenges in the video creation process. Here's how Sora is poised to reshape the way we make videos:

Accessibility to Advanced Editing: Sora democratically integrates AI-powered features, allowing creators, irrespective of technical expertise, to access sophisticated editing tools for professional-quality edits.

Efficient and Streamlined Editing Process: The platform's AI-driven editing capabilities may streamline the entire video creation process, automating tasks like scene recognition, color grading, and transitions, allowing creators to focus more on storytelling.

Smart Storyboarding and Narrative Assistance: Sora's AI assists in storyboarding and planning sequences, providing recommendations for effective storytelling structures may ensure a cohesive and engaging flow.

Real-Time Feedback and Iteration: Sora's real-time processing offers immediate feedback on edits, may enable quick iterations and dynamic content refinement.

Enhanced Visual Appeal with Adaptive Filters: Sora's adaptive filters dynamically adjust to each scene, may ensure a consistent and visually appealing aesthetic throughout the video.

Intelligent Content Recommendations: Sora's AI analyzes content trends and provides personalised suggestions for enhancing visual elements, may contribute to a more engaging and trend-aligned video.

Seamless Cross-Platform Editing and Sharing: Sora's cross-platform compatibility simplifies the editing and sharing process, allowing creators to seamlessly edit and share content across various social media platforms.

Automated Special Effects and Enhancements: Sora may offer automated special effects and enhancements powered by AI, allowing creators to effortlessly incorporate dynamic elements into their videos.

Innovative Voice-Activated Commands: Sora's potential integration of voice-activated commands may introduce a hands-free element to the editing process, providing a convenient and efficient alternative to manual interactions, a habit change.

Collaborative Editing with AI Assistance: Sora may facilitate collaborative editing by providing AI assistance to multiple users, enabling teams of creators to work seamlessly on a project with maintained consistency.

So how will this affect content?

Now, let's explore the types of content that AI filmmakers like Sora might create. Traditional forms of storytelling, deeply rooted in cinematic principles, will undoubtedly find their place in this digital revolution. However, the real excitement lies in the potential for AI to give rise to entirely new forms of imagery and storytelling.

AI-driven filmmaking introduces the intriguing prospect of creating content that transcends conventional norms—from experimental visual narratives to innovative storytelling structures. The boundaries of creativity are expanded. As a filmmaker, I anticipate a surge in content that challenges traditional norms, offering fresh perspectives and pushing the limits of what is visually and narratively possible.

While traditional genres and storytelling formats will persist, the era of AI filmmakers promises a wave of creativity beyond what we've traditionally associated with cinema. It opens avenues for unconventional narratives, unique visual aesthetics, and storytelling approaches that might have been previously unexplored.

In conclusion, as an active participant in this transformative journey from Vliv to Sora, I see the democratisation of filmmaking not just as a technological progression but as an invitation to rethink and redefine the boundaries of storytelling. The critical conversation about the intersection of accessibility and artistic integrity becomes essential. As AI filmmakers become more prevalent, the potential for new imageries and narrative forms is both exciting and challenging, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of cinematic expression.

We won't stop telling stories will we?

*I used ChatGPT to to cleanup my points and re-edited to suit my opinion while writing this article.