About PlayCraft AI

PlayCraft AI is now centered on Shotmaker, a project focused on making AI video generation more controllable, more repeatable, and more useful for real storytelling.

The core idea is that AI filmmaking gets dramatically better when it has stronger structure underneath it.

That means using things like:

  • 3D scene layout
  • camera motion
  • depth and control passes
  • repeatable shot planning
  • production-style workflows instead of one-off prompting

The vision

A lot of current AI video is visually exciting, but it still breaks down when you want consistency, continuity, or shot control.

Shotmaker is aimed at a better future:

  • tools that help creators direct shots instead of gambling on them
  • workflows that preserve spatial awareness across frames
  • systems that let filmmakers iterate with intention
  • a path from experimental AI visuals to real production tools

Why the short videos matter

The short-form videos I’m creating now are not a side quest. They are part of the process.

They help me:

  • experiment rapidly
  • develop visual language
  • test techniques in public
  • build attention around the larger Shotmaker vision

Some of them are surreal, psychedelic, or music-driven. That’s fine. They still point toward the same destination: better tools for AI-native filmmaking.

About Russ Patterson

I’m Russ Patterson, founder of PlayCraft AI.

My background spans games, technology, creative direction, and product development. I’m now focused on pushing AI video and storytelling tools toward something much more practical and much more cinematic.

You can see more about me here:

What’s next

This site will increasingly document:

  • Shotmaker development
  • experiments in controllable AI video
  • short film and visual pipeline work
  • lessons learned building toward filmmaker-grade tools