A startup called DreamFlare AI emerged from stealth on Tuesday with the goal of helping content creators create and monetize short-form, AI-generated content.
The company, co-founded by ex-Googler Josh Liss and documentary filmmaker Rob Bralbar, doesn’t manufacture or sell its own AI technology for video production. Rather, it envisions it as a kind of studio where creators work with professional storytellers to make videos using third-party AI tools such as Runway, Midjourney and ElevenLabs. The videos are then distributed through a subscription-based online service. Creators will earn revenue through subscriptions, advertising revenue shares and several other options.
DreamFlare will offer two types of animated content on its platform: Flips, which are comic-book style stories with short AI-generated clips and images that users can scroll through, and Spins, which are choose-your-own-adventure interactive short films that allow viewers to change certain outcomes of the story.
DreamFlare’s launch comes at a time when artists in Hollywood are viewing AI technology as a threat: A 2024 study commissioned by the Animation Guild, a union for animation artists, found that 75% of film productions using AI are reducing or eliminating jobs.
Despite these concerns, DreamFlare insists it’s creating a new space for creators to make money from new forms of entertainment, not taking away anyone’s jobs.
“This is an opportunity to democratize storytelling for creators,” Liss told TechCrunch. “We’re excited to give people the opportunity to use this tool to tell exciting new stories,” he added.
Among the companies optimistic about AI entertainment and video platforms like DreamFlare is FoundersX Ventures, which has made investments. The company also claims to have creative partnerships with various entertainment industry executives, including Disney, Netflix, and Universal. Additionally, DreamFlare works with “Oscar- and Emmy-winning filmmakers and showrunners,” Liss said, though he noted that “they remain anonymous right now due to the controversy surrounding AI.” [AI-generated content.]”
The company says it has raised $1.6 million to date.
How DreamFlare works
DreamFlare creators are free to use existing AI tools that offer paid plans, but many of these tools have questionable ethical and legal implications. For example, OpenAI, the developer of the Sora model, doesn’t disclose how it sources its training videos.
DreamFlare claims that it has a rigorous review process to ensure posts aren’t based on copyrighted material and won’t accept R-rated content. If published content doesn’t meet these standards, the platform will issue DMCA takedown notices to anyone who believes their copyright has been infringed.
“We always strive to control the quality, safety and legality of anything before it is published on the platform,” Bralbar explained.
Once creators pass DreamFlare’s application process, they work on developing stories with a creative team (the company says that the DreamFlare team is made up of former Disney and Universal executives who wish to remain anonymous).
While it is not permitted to create content inspired by copyrighted intellectual property like “Star Wars,” you are free to create any public domain character, which is why the platform has titles related to Little Red Riding Hood, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Frankenstein, Thor, and more.
From what I saw in a demo of the platform, the quality of the AI-generated video output was good enough (though it’s nowhere near Pixar-level quality), though it was occasionally choppy and the animation style looked odd. Some of DreamFlare’s content is original and creative, such as one about a cat detective who’s had a little too much catnip.
Creators can make money on DreamFlare in four ways: platform revenue sharing, a portion of ad revenue, tips from fans, and a soon-to-launch marketplace for creators to sell their wares.
There’s also a Fan Fund where followers can support content creators and be part of the process. For example, users can pay for a Supporter Package and see their name in the credits of future videos. If followers want to pay more, they can connect with creators in private Discord channels. The most contributing followers can be promoted to Producer status, giving them exclusive insight into how creators create their content.
At launch, around 100 content creators are on the platform, offering a diverse range of content, from sci-fi and comedy to fantasy, mystery, and more.
DreamFlare’s premium membership costs $2.99 per month or $24 per year, and there’s currently a limited-time offer for a one-year subscription for $9.99. They’re also offering free content every week to get people hooked on the idea.
