LA-based Brazilian director/animator Diego Coutinho reworks an abandoned commercial project as an opportunity for weaving traditional motion techniques with AI tools to explore “a blend of machine capability and human sensitivity”.

Diego Coutinho: “Nearly a year ago, I was invited to join EDGLRD, the IP-based studio led by filmmaker Harmony Korine, as creative director. Our first collaboration was ultimately shelved but the idea behind it lingered. I chose to complete the piece independently as a demonstration of what can emerge when artificial intelligence meets human intention, craft, and emotion.

“The final result is a music video built around the song ‘Clandestina’ by Filv & Edmofo featuring Emma Peters, a remix steeped in nostalgia, melancholy, and quiet tension. The imagery is driven not by a linear narrative, but by poetic visual suggestion, ephemeral moments that resonate with themes of displacement, longing, and the lingering presence of addiction.
 

“I see a lot of people showcasing AI by mimicking famous styles, but what excites me is using these tools to enhance our own voices, not copy someone else’s.”

 
“While the process involved AI tools like Runway (2024) and Stable Diffusion 1.6, they were only part of the story. Traditional techniques such as frame-by-frame animation, extensive post-production, and visual craftsmanship were essential in shaping the final piece. AI served as a starting point, not a shortcut.

“The creative challenge was in transforming raw machine output into something with soul and intention. I see a lot of people showcasing AI by mimicking famous styles, but what excites me is using these tools to enhance our own voices, not copy someone else’s.

“‘Clandestina’ is not a technical showcase but an honest attempt at creating something meaningful, a blend of machine capability and human sensitivity. AI may be powerful, but it’s only as compelling as the story behind it. What endures isn’t the tool, but the emotion it helps bring to life.”
 
 

 
Director/animator: Diego Coutinho

Music: “Clandestina” by Filv & Edmofo feat. Emma Peters