AI Is Making Me Stop Animating

Summary

The video follows animator Trev El as he works on a frame-by-frame animation and struggles to stay motivated. Because AI can produce animation much faster, he questions whether spending hours drawing each frame is professionally worthwhile—even though the slower, hands-on process is what he wants to do.

Trev weighs AI’s speed against concerns that its output may lack the intention and craft of traditional animation. The central tension is whether using AI means adapting to economic pressure or giving up parts of the creative process that made him want to animate.

He also worries that as studios and artists adopt these tools, hand-drawn animation could remain culturally appreciated but become harder to sustain as paid work. He doesn’t reach a solution, but says he still loves animation and plans to return to his unfinished piece.

Artistic Process and Concepts

• Frame-by-frame animation: Drawing individual frames to bring a character or object to life.
• Intentional, handcrafted work: Trev values the time, problem-solving, and personal involvement involved in making animation.
• AI-generated animation: A faster alternative that may be commercially attractive, even when its movement or quality is imperfect.
• Craft versus efficiency: The video asks whether a time-consuming creative process is meaningful craft or an economic disadvantage.
• Cultural appreciation versus employment: Traditional animation may continue to have an audience while offering fewer professional opportunities.

No practical steps or materials list are provided.

Creator

Trev El is the animator and narrator.