Filmustage is an AI-based platform that enhances the film pre-production phase, from script breakdowns and scheduling to analysis, synopsis crafting, and budget management. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Filmustage co-founder and CEO Egor Dubrovsky to learn more about the company.
Formation Of The Company
Could you tell me more about your background and how the idea for the company came together? Dubrovsky said:
“I’ve dedicated over a decade to the film industry, founding two media production companies and collaborating on projects with global brands such as Uber, TikTok, the United Nations, and Netflix. These experiences have provided me with a deep understanding of both the creative and operational challenges in filmmaking.”
“The inspiration for Filmustage came from an unexpected situation. While assisting a friend with a film project in Los Angeles, I decided to visit another friend in San Francisco. Unfortunately, after an evening out, I discovered my car had been broken into, and my backpack — containing my laptop, camera, and important documents — was stolen. This left me stranded in the U.S. for an extended period while I awaited new documents.”
“During this time, I worked on various film sets, including pilots for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. On these sets, I noticed a significant inefficiency in the pre-production process, especially in script breakdowns, which were still done manually with pen and paper. This time-consuming and error-prone method made me realize the need for a more efficient solution.”
“Upon returning to Minsk, I reflected on these experiences and saw an opportunity to innovate. I began assembling a team with expertise in AI, software development, and film production. Together, we developed Filmustage, a platform designed to automate the script breakdown process using AI, saving filmmakers valuable time and enhancing accuracy.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Dubrovsky reflected:
“It’s been incredibly exciting for us at Filmustage to collaborate with some truly legendary filmmakers. One of the highlights has been working with Roger Christian, the Oscar-winning filmmaker who played a key role in creating the Star Wars universe. As a huge Star Wars fan myself, it’s beyond thrilling to know that someone who invented the iconic lightsaber is using our platform. Roger has been very supportive and has shared how Filmustage has streamlined his pre-production process. The opportunity to exchange ideas and receive feedback from someone of his stature is an incredible experience.”
“Interacting with filmmakers of this caliber, receiving their feedback, and learning from their experiences is incredibly rewarding. It reinforces our mission to create tools that empower filmmakers and help bring their creative visions to life. Supporting these amazing professionals in their work is what makes this journey so fulfilling.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Dubrovsky explained:
“At Filmustage, we streamline pre-production with AI-powered tools that handle time-consuming tasks. Our flagship feature, the Automatic Script Breakdown, uses AI to categorize scripts into elements like characters, locations, and props.”
“We also offer Smart Shooting Scheduling, allowing filmmakers to plan and adjust shooting schedules easily, saving hours of manual work. The Visual Reference Board lets users attach images to script tags, turning ideas into visual references.”
“Additionally, our AI Analysis provides deeper insights into scripts, and the AI Synopsis feature generates concise summaries, aiding quick understanding.”
“Finally, Filmustage integrates smoothly with industry-standard tools like Movie Magic and Final Draft, making it easier to transition between different stages of production, while Team Access and Collaboration ensure seamless teamwork.”
“These features collectively enhance efficiency, collaboration, and accuracy, enabling filmmakers to focus more on their creative process.”
Challenges Faced
When asking Dubrovsky about industry challenges faced, he acknowledged:
“Last year, the film industry was significantly impacted by a strike, which posed considerable challenges across the board. Our experience working with indie filmmakers proved especially valuable during this time. These filmmakers often operate with tight budgets and schedules, and the pressures only increased during the strike. By listening closely to their feedback, we were able to quickly adapt our tools to meet their changing needs, making our features even more user-friendly and efficient. This ensured that filmmakers could keep their projects moving forward, despite the broader industry challenges.”
“It’s important to note that our goal at Filmustage isn’t to replace people but to help them. This commitment to supporting filmmakers, rather than replacing them, is one of the key reasons why people continue to rely on our platform even during hard times.”
“Our focus on supporting the independent filmmaking community during this tough period not only helped them navigate the strike but also strengthened our platform as we expanded to work with larger productions. By staying true to our mission of solving real problems for filmmakers, we were able to overcome the challenges posed by the strike and continue growing as a company.”
Evolution Of Filmustage
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Dubrovsky noted:
“Since we first launched Filmustage, our technology has come a long way. Initially, our focus was on automating the script breakdown process, which was a significant pain point for many filmmakers. Our AI was designed to quickly identify and categorize script elements like characters, locations, and props, turning what used to be a manual, time-consuming task into something that could be done in minutes.”
“As we gained more feedback from our users, particularly indie filmmakers, we continued to refine and expand our technology. One major area of evolution has been in the precision and speed of our AI. We’ve continuously improved our algorithms to better understand the nuances of different scripts, making the breakdowns more accurate and detailed. This has made the tool even more valuable, especially for complex productions.”
“We also added features like Smart Scheduling, which helps filmmakers plan their shooting schedules more efficiently. This tool integrates seamlessly with the script breakdown, allowing for a smoother transition from pre-production planning to actual filming.”
“Another significant development has been our AI Analysis feature, which offers deeper insights into scripts by identifying themes, pacing, and potential narrative issues. This helps filmmakers make informed decisions early in the pre-production process.”
“Additionally, our focus on collaboration tools has been a major area of growth. We introduced features that allow multiple team members to work on the same project in real time, making it easier for filmmakers to collaborate, especially in remote or distributed teams. This has become increasingly important as more productions involve teams spread across different locations.”
“Looking ahead, we’re continuing to expand our AI capabilities. We’re exploring ways to integrate even more advanced features, such as AI-driven budget estimation, production calendars with AI optimization, shot lists, storyboards, and AI-enhanced script-to-image animations. We’re also working on multi-language models to process scripts in various languages and simplified call sheet creation with automation options. Our goal is to provide filmmakers with a comprehensive suite of tools that covers all aspects of pre-production.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Dubrovsky cited:
“One of our earliest milestones was successfully launching our AI-driven script breakdown tool. This was a game-changer for us and the filmmakers who began using it, as it dramatically reduced the time and effort needed to prepare scripts for production. We developed our own model using a custom dataset, which was a significant challenge back in 2019. The positive response from the industry validated our approach and set the stage for further developments.”
“Another significant milestone was securing our first round of seed funding, amounting to $550,000. This investment allowed us to expand our team, accelerate development, and introduce more features to the platform, such as the smart scheduling tool and the visual reference board. These additions have made Filmustage a more comprehensive solution for pre-production, helping filmmakers at every stage of the process.”
“Successfully integrating with industry-standard tools like Movie Magic and Final Draft was another important step. These integrations have made it easier for filmmakers to incorporate Filmustage into their existing workflows, enhancing its utility and broadening its appeal.”
“This year, we launched our Enterprise package and introduced the Team Access feature, allowing for collaborative filmmaking by enabling users to share projects with colleagues across different subscription plans, all while maintaining security and control. This milestone also marked the beginning of our work with Tier-1 studios in Hollywood, expanding our reach into the highest levels of film production.”
“A crowning moment of last year was when we were Highly Commended in the Production Tech Innovation of the Year category at the Makers & Shakers Awards. This prestigious ceremony celebrates innovation and excellence in the film industry. Being recognized in such a competitive field was a tremendous honor, highlighting our innovative impact and fueling our passion for pushing creative and technological boundaries. Additionally, throughout the last year, we proudly supported prestigious events like the Phoenix Rising International Film Festival, the 14th New Media Film Festival, and Varsity Film Expo 2023. Participating in these events allowed us to bolster our commitment to the film community, celebrating artistic talent, innovation, and the transformative role of AI in filmmaking.”
“Another recent key achievement is the significant growth in our platform’s user base. We’ve now surpassed 15,000 users, expanding our reach across both independent filmmakers and large-scale productions. This growth is a strong testament to the value that Filmustage offers to filmmakers of all types, helping them streamline their processes and enhance their creative workflows.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Dubrovsky about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“One of our proudest success stories is with Roger Christian, the visionary director and Oscar-winning set decorator known for his work on Star Wars. He utilized our technology during the remastering of Black Angel, set for release in 2024. Filmustage’s tools helped streamline the process, making it easier to manage the complex elements of the project.”
“Another filmmaker who’s been a fantastic supporter of Filmustage is Callan Green. Callan has worked on major productions, including The Gentlemen on Netflix, where he used our AI tool to enhance the efficiency of the pre-production process. He has extended its application to other significant projects like Masters of the Air and Gangs of London. His continued use of Filmustage across these diverse productions underscores the platform’s adaptability and broad utility in the film industry.”
“Another notable success is with Mark Kolpack, a visual effects pioneer. He uses our tools for script analysis and AI-generated synopses to prepare for pitching his projects to potential investors. The efficiency and insights provided by Filmustage have been instrumental in refining his pitch materials.”
“Additionally, Martin Manuel Nuza used Filmustage to fine-tune the narrative elements of his award-winning film A Cannibal Mind, which won Best Feature Script and Best Original Story. Meanwhile, Zebra Production Kenya optimized production planning for Season 2 of the Salem TV series using our AI solutions, demonstrating the global reach and effectiveness of our tools.”
Funding
When asking Dubrovsky about the company’s funding details, he revealed:
“This year, we’ve successfully secured $1.5 million in seed funding to drive the future of film pre-production. This funding round was led by the forward-thinking team at Raw Ventures, with strong support from our incredible partners at Geek Ventures and other visionary investors.”
“Alexey Skobelkin, CPO and head of MediaTech at Raw Ventures, commented on the investment:
‘We invested in Filmustage after their attendance in the finals of our investment program Global MediaTech Pitch Day, where they stood out among 400 applicants. The main reason we invested is due to the pragmatic and efficient approach by which the company’s product successfully integrates advanced AI developments, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, into the production processes of the film industry without competing with them.
Meanwhile, the team is developing their own specialized and unique AI model for working with scripts and production plans, which ensures the product’s practical efficiency. We see the product market fit, the team’s focus and concentration, and we want to support scaling both financially and with our industry expertise.’
This investment will allow us to continue expanding our AI capabilities, acquire new B2B clients, and further enhance our platform to meet the evolving needs of the film industry.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Dubrovsky affirmed:
“What sets Filmustage apart is our deep commitment to listening to our users. As a young and dynamic startup, we prioritize staying agile and responsive to the needs of filmmakers. We constantly gather feedback and quickly adapt our platform to meet the real-world challenges that our users face.”
“At the core of our company is the philosophy of ‘filmmakers for filmmakers.’ Our tools are built by people who understand the unique challenges of the industry, and we’re dedicated to helping our peers succeed.”
“We are also proud to have top industry advisors, including Byron Saltysiak, a former Vice President at WarnerMedia; Chris LeDoux, one of the co-founders of Crafty Apes; and Barry Loudis, an ex-VP at Warner Bros. Their expertise, combined with our hands-on experience in the film industry, ensures that we’re not just offering tools — we’re offering solutions that truly make a difference.”
“Our mission is to help people in the film industry save time on tasks like script breakdowns and more, enabling them to focus on the creative aspects of their work. We approach everything with a modern mindset, always thinking about how we can support filmmakers in today’s fast-paced environment.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future company goals? Dubrovsky pointed out:
“Our primary goal is to become the industry standard for film production. We aim to create a platform that unifies all vendors and filmmaking teams, streamlining collaboration across the entire industry. By integrating and optimizing every aspect of the filmmaking process—from pre-production to post-production—we aspire to provide a comprehensive solution that meets the needs of all filmmakers. Ultimately, our vision is to make Filmustage the go-to platform for managing every stage of film production efficiently and effectively.”
Additional Thoughts
Any other topics you would like to discuss? Dubrovsky concluded:
“We have a blog on our website that we’re really proud of, where we regularly post in-depth articles and insights on the latest trends in the film industry and the role of technology in filmmaking. For example, one of our most popular articles is about movies depicting the Roman Empire, which has resonated with many film enthusiasts and industry professionals. Our blog has become a valuable resource for our community, offering fresh perspectives and practical advice for filmmakers who want to stay ahead of the curve.”
“On a lighter note, The Big Lebowski holds a special place in our company culture — it’s more than just a movie to us; it’s a source of inspiration. Our team has adopted The Dude as our unofficial mascot, and we often watch the film during company gatherings. You’ll even find him featured in illustrations across our website. We love the film’s quotes and the laid-back lifestyle it represents — it’s something that brings a sense of calm, reminding us to take things in stride. For example, the line ‘The Dude abides’ is a favorite, embodying the relaxed approach we try to maintain, even when things get tough.”
“Interestingly, we sometimes reference these iconic quotes to lighten our users’ moods when something goes wrong. It’s a little humor that has supported us through various challenges. Our fondness for The Big Lebowski isn’t just about the film itself but about the mindset it represents—one that’s helped us stay grounded through the ups and downs.”
