AI films look fake because no one directs the light: 6 lighting rules for AI filmmaking
DavidmComfort · x · 2026-10-22
A practical guide arguing that AI-generated films feel artificial not because the models are weak, but because creators neglect lighting design—perfectly even illumination kills realism.
Six rules drawn from traditional cinematography:
- Start with one key light: place it 30–60° to one side, slightly above eye level, so direction shapes the face.
- Shoot the shadow side: aim the camera toward the darker side of the face for depth—no need to prompt for "more cinematic."
- Motivate the light (remaining rules truncated in the source).
The takeaway: decades of lighting craft from traditional filmmakers apply directly to AI film, just translated into prompts and scene setup.
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