NEW YORK CITY — Martin Scorsese has partnered with AI startup Black Forest Labs to use its generative-AI tools for storyboarding an upcoming film in New York City in 2024. The director is using the technology solely for pre-production visualization, not for final footage or creative decision-making.

In a video filmed at his New York office, Scorsese demonstrated how he used Black Forest Labs’ FLUX generative-AI model to develop a storyboard scene. He discussed staging complex shots, including referencing the famous Steadicam sequence from “Goodfellas,” to illustrate how the tool aids in visual planning. “Now, with this tool, I can share what I’m visualizing more clearly and efficiently to my creative team — the production designer, art designer, and cinematographer — for them to build on to enrich cinematic intelligence,” Scorsese said.

Scorsese emphasized that the AI system accelerates communication without compromising artistic intent. “During the pre-production process, time costs money, and this allowed us to move faster without sacrificing quality or craft,” he said.

The partnership originated through BroadLight Capital, an investor in Black Forest Labs and co-founded by Scorsese’s longtime talent manager Rick Yorn. Scorsese, who has previously embraced emerging technologies like 3D in “Hugo” and de-aging in “The Irishman,” said, “For 70 years, I’ve been creating my own storyboards,” but noted the AI tool enhances rather than replaces his process. He also stated, “Cinema is a young medium, only around 125 years old, so we have to be open to how it can evolve.” Black Forest Labs CEO Robin Rombach told The New York Times that Scorsese’s partnership represents “a great proof point that this works.” The German-based startup, founded in 2024 by the team behind Stable Diffusion, provides AI image-generation technology licensed by major platforms including Adobe, Canva, Microsoft, and Meta.