Key Points
- Disney showcased AI animation tools, highlighting startup Animaj.
- Animaj’s system lets artists sketch key frames while AI fills in intermediate poses.
- Production time for a five‑minute episode dropped from five months to under five weeks.
- The technology reduces overall animation timelines to roughly 30 % of traditional schedules.
- Animaj trained its model on over 300,000 poses from the Pocoyo series.
- Disney selected Animaj for its 2025 Accelerator program due to its artist‑first design.
- Executives plan to expand the AI tool across Disney Branded Television and Disney Television Studios.
- Animaj also uses AI analytics to inform storytelling based on audience trends.
- The partnership aims to accelerate content creation while keeping human artists in control.
AI Demonstration at Disney Studios
During a visit to Walt Disney Studios, a group of executives and media members watched four startups pitch AI‑based animation tools. Animaj, a newcomer selected for Disney’s 2025 Accelerator cohort, showcased a system that allows animators to draw the primary poses of a character while an AI model automatically generates the “in‑between” movements. The demo featured characters from the children’s series Pocoyo, illustrating how the workflow reduces the time needed to produce a short episode.
Significant Time Savings
Animaj’s CEO explained that a five‑minute episode that previously required five months of work can now be completed in less than five weeks using the AI tool. Disney’s vice‑president of innovation, David Min, highlighted that the technology can cut production time to roughly 30 % of the traditional schedule, enabling faster turnaround for streaming‑driven demand.
Artist‑First Approach
The core of Animaj’s solution is “motion in‑betweening.” Artists provide the key frames—the start and end positions of a character—and the AI predicts the intermediate poses. Animators retain full control, tweaking any AI‑generated motion to match the desired style and ensuring the final product aligns with Disney’s brand DNA. This approach contrasts with text‑prompt video generators that often produce inconsistent visuals.
Training on Extensive Pose Data
To build its model, Animaj compiled more than 300,000 poses from four seasons of Pocoyo, pairing sketches with corresponding 3D poses. This extensive dataset allows the AI to learn the specific movement patterns of the characters, delivering consistent and brand‑aligned animation.
Potential Expansion and Strategic Fit
Disney officials indicated that discussions are underway to integrate Animaj’s technology across Disney Branded Television and Disney Television Studios. Min noted that Disney evaluated thousands of AI companies and selected Animaj because the tool emphasizes artist control rather than fully autonomous generation.
Data‑Driven Storytelling
Beyond speeding up animation, Animaj also applies AI analytics to gauge audience trends. By linking viewership data with content creation, the system can help producers develop stories that resonate with current audiences, further aligning production speed with market demand.
Industry Context and Labor Considerations
The Animation Guild’s recent contract negotiations did not secure extensive AI safety provisions, meaning animators may be required to use AI tools as part of their jobs. Disney’s partnership with Animaj reflects a broader industry shift toward integrating generative AI while attempting to preserve the creative role of human artists.
Source: cnet.com