How to Ethically Integrate AI into Documentary Filmmaking: A Cannes-Inspired Guide

Introduction

When Steven Soderbergh decided to turn the final interview of John Lennon into a documentary, he faced a unique challenge: the audio was captivating, but visual material was scarce. For 90% of the film, he could use archived footage, photos, and creative editing to visualize the conversation. For the remaining 10%, however, the discussion grew too abstract to illustrate conventionally. Soderbergh turned to Meta’s AI software to generate surreal imagery—a move that sparked an uproar at the Cannes Film Festival and ignited a passionate debate about the role of artificial intelligence in moviemaking. This guide breaks down the steps he took, from sourcing raw material to disclosing his AI use, so you can apply these lessons ethically and transparently in your own documentary projects.

What You Need

• Original audio or video recordings – in this case, the two-hour radio interview Lennon and Yoko Ono gave on December 8, 1980, from their Dakota apartment.
• Archive footage and stills – photographs, news clips, and any related visual material to illustrate most of the narrative.
• AI image generation software – (e.g., Meta’s AI tools, or alternatives like DALL·E, Midjourney) for creating surreal, non-realistic visuals.
• Editing software – professional NLE (Non-Linear Editor) like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.
• Budget and time – Soderbergh worked on solvable parts as long as possible before turning to AI due to time and money constraints.
• Legal clearance – rights to the audio and permissions for any AI-generated content that might resemble individuals.
• Transparency plan – a strategy for disclosing AI use to audiences and the press.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Step 1: Assemble and Analyze Your Primary Material

   Begin by thoroughly reviewing your raw content. Soderbergh worked from a remarkable interview where Lennon riffed on love, creativity, fatherhood, and life after the Beatles. Listen repeatedly to identify sections that are naturally visual (stories about specific events) versus those that are purely philosophical or abstract. Mark the portions you can illustrate with existing footage—Soderbergh used archival photographs, home videos, and even silent film clips. The remaining gaps become your candidate for AI intervention.

2. Step 2: Exhaust All Conventional Visual Solutions First

   Before considering any artificial intelligence, try every traditional method: kinetic typography, reenactments, animation, or found footage. Soderbergh explains that he “worked on everything that could be solved except that for as long as I could.” This means spending your budget on stock footage, hiring animators, or even shooting new b-roll. Only when you run out of time, money, or creative possibilities should you turn to generative AI. This ensures the technology remains a last resort, not a shortcut.

3. Step 3: Determine the Ethical Boundaries for AI Use

   Decide what the AI will create. Soderbergh made a critical choice: no deepfakes of Lennon. The AI imagery he adopted does not try to recreate the real person or place; instead, it produces surreal, dreamlike visuals—often abstract, never photorealistic. This approach respects the subject’s dignity and avoids misleading audiences. Set your own rule: use AI only to suggest emotions or ideas, not to fabricate reality.

4. Step 4: Implement AI Software for the Remaining Gaps

   When Soderbergh accepted Meta’s offer, he limited AI-generated content to about 10% of the film. Feed your abstract audio portions into the AI tool with descriptive prompts (e.g., “a swirling mist of memories,” “a kaleidoscope of colors representing creativity”). Review and iterate until the output complements the mood without overpowering the narration. Avoid overproduction—keep the surreal imagery consistent in style so it flows with the rest of the documentary.

5. Step 5: Integrate AI Segments Seamlessly into the Edit

   Place the AI-generated shots precisely where conventional visuals fall short. Soderbergh notes that “the Meta piece came in” when “we just started playing and ran out of time and money.” The final cut should not jar the viewer; use transitions, sound design, and color grading to blend AI visuals with traditional footage. Test the flow with a test audience who is unaware of the AI—if they notice a mismatch, revise.

6. Step 6: Develop a Transparency Strategy

   Be upfront about your use of AI. Soderbergh became “his own whistle blower,” announcing the AI involvement before the film premiered at Cannes. Create a press release, director’s statement, or a title card at the beginning or end of the film explaining exactly which parts were AI-generated and why. Transparency “is so important,” says Soderbergh, especially because many filmmakers use AI secretly. By being open, you turn the potential controversy into a teaching moment.

7. Step 7: Prepare for Backlash and Engage in the Debate

   Inevitably, your AI usage may provoke criticism. At Cannes, critics overwhelmingly slammed the AI segments, calling them “banal.” Soderbergh did not avoid the discussion; he sat for interviews, explaining his rationale and inviting dialogue. Prepare a FAQ about why you chose AI, what it replaced, and how it respects the subject. Use the debate to highlight your ethical stance and to advocate for responsible AI use in cinema.

Tips for Success

• Always lead with the human story. The AI should never distract from the emotional truth of your documentary. Soderbergh’s film succeeded because the core—Lennon and Ono’s candid conversation—remained the focus.
• Keep AI use minimal. Even 10% can stir up controversy. The less you rely on generative tools, the easier it is to defend your choices.
• Disclose early and often. Mention AI in festival submissions, on posters, and in your director’s notes. Preempt rumors by controlling the narrative.
• Respect the subject. Never use AI to impersonate living or deceased people. Stick to abstract or metaphorical imagery that cannot be mistaken for reality.
• Learn from the debate. The Cannes uproar put Soderbergh at the “forefront of an industrywide debate.” Use the attention to educate audiences about both the potentials and pitfalls of AI in film.
• Have a fallback. If the AI imagery doesn’t work, revert to simpler solutions (titles, audio-only sections). Soderbergh was able to because he had already exhausted everything else.