Moonvalley's ethical AI video model for filmmakers is now available to the public

Moonvalley's ethical AI video model Marey, now public, offers filmmakers better control over video generation with its hybrid approach.

: Moonvalley, a Los Angeles-based startup, has released Marey, its AI video generation model, to the public with a hybrid filmmaking approach, priced from $14.99 for credits. Co-founded by former DeepMind researchers, Marey sets itself apart by utilizing only openly licensed data, providing indie filmmakers protection from future legal issues. Filmmaker Ángel Manuel Soto highlights Marey's potential to dramatically reduce production costs by 20% to 40% while enabling creative freedom. Moonvalley plans further enhancements, putting Marey in competition with other AI video generators like Runway Gen-3 and Luma Dream Machine.

Moonvalley, a Los Angeles-based AI startup founded by former DeepMind researchers, has released its ethical AI video model, Marey, to the public. Designed specifically for filmmakers, Marey stands out by being trained exclusively on licensed and ethically sourced content—roughly 80% of which comes from independent filmmakers and production studios. This clean data approach is meant to avoid copyright and ethical concerns plaguing other generative models. Moonvalley emphasizes transparency and creative control in an industry increasingly wary of AI’s impact on intellectual property and artistic labor.

Unlike conventional text-to-video generators, Marey offers filmmakers hybrid control through both prompt-based inputs and fine-tuned editing parameters. Users can manipulate camera angles, movement, lighting, subject details, and environmental elements in ways that resemble traditional VFX pipelines. The system supports iterative refinement, allowing professionals to use the tool alongside existing production workflows, enhancing rather than replacing human creativity.

Marey is priced with accessibility in mind, starting at $14.99/month for 100 credits and scaling to $149.99/month for 1,000 credits. Each clip renders at about $1–2, depending on length and complexity. This model offers filmmakers and advertisers a viable alternative to reshoots and expensive CGI, especially for short-form content and conceptual prototyping. Moonvalley aims to lower production barriers for indie creators while also serving enterprise-level demands.

A key differentiator for Moonvalley is its in-house creative team and film studio, Asteria, co-founded by actress Natasha Lyonne and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Bryn Mooser. Asteria not only provides licensed footage but also guides the AI’s design based on real-world production needs. This collaboration ensures that Marey reflects industry workflows and upholds artistic intent, positioning it as a tool for augmentation rather than automation.

Initial reactions from filmmakers and critics are cautiously optimistic. Directors like Ángel Manuel Soto commend the ethical framework and creative flexibility, seeing it as a tool to democratize filmmaking without compromising quality. However, others remain skeptical, raising concerns that studios might eventually use such technologies to cut labor costs or sidestep unions. While Marey represents a step forward in ethical AI, its long-term implications for the industry remain closely watched.

Sources: Time, TechCrunch, BusinessWire, Fast Company, The Verge

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