The Indie Comedy to Watch: How Not So Bright Nailed Pre-Production with AI

Production has officially kicked off in Augusta, Georgia on Not So Bright, an independent dark comedy written, produced, and directed by award-winning filmmaker Choice Skinner, alongside brothers Dylan and Willis Fincher.

The film follows two brothers with a talent for bad decisions as they chase their lifelong dream of making it to Comic-Con, weaving absurd twists and nostalgic humor reminiscent of 90s classics like Pineapple Express and Superbad. For Skinner, known for his commitment to authentic, diverse storytelling, Not So Bright is both a creative leap and a logistical challenge.

“This film is about capturing the truth, humor, and random events people experience while navigating their lives and facing insane circumstances in unexpected ways,” Skinner shared in the official release.

But beyond the art lies the often hidden complexity: how do you actually schedule, budget, and run an independent feature without the luxury of a large studio team?

How Filmustage Helped with Budgeting and Scheduling

In his recent YouTube video, Skinner revealed how Filmustage AI software became a cornerstone tool for keeping Not So Bright on track.

For an independent filmmaker managing micro- to no-budget projects, Filmustage delivered efficiency usually reserved for productions with full assistant director teams.

1. Script Breakdown Made Easy

Filmustage automatically analyzed the script, breaking down scenes by characters, props, locations, and even potential production challenges. Instead of spending hours (or paying someone else) to do this manually, Skinner could instantly generate synopses and detailed reports.

2. Actor Reports and Scheduling

The AI tracked cast appearances, day-out-of-days schedules, and even tallied dialogue occurrences. This gave Skinner a clear sense of workload distribution across his leads, Dylan and Willis, which in turn shaped how he structured his daily shooting plans.

3. AI Scene Analysis

Beyond logistics, Filmustage flagged scene-specific requirements — from stunt performers and environmental precautions to estimated dialogue times. This provided not only production clarity but also a layer of creative foresight.

4. Smart Scheduling & Call Sheets

Perhaps most crucially, Skinner showed how Filmustage turned scheduling into a drag-and-drop experience. Scenes could be moved or adjusted instantly depending on cast availability, location constraints, or production needs. Call sheets were generated within seconds, complete with weather forecasts and cast details, exportable as PDFs for easy crew distribution.

“You don’t have to go through the traditional means of making a call sheet or scheduling. Now AI will do it for you,” Skinner emphasized.

Why This Matters for Independent Filmmakers

The combination of Not So Bright’s bold storytelling and Filmustage’s AI-driven efficiency highlights a larger shift in indie filmmaking: technology is democratizing the production process.

For Skinner, Filmustage wasn’t just a convenience — it was a necessity that allowed him to save time, reduce costs, and maintain creative control. Instead of juggling spreadsheets and paperwork, he could focus on directing performances.

Looking Ahead

With production underway and momentum building, Not So Bright has already captured attention not only for its comedic promise but also as an example of how AI tools like Filmustage are empowering independent filmmakers to work smarter and leaner.

“Don’t be afraid of AI. It is the right tool for the right time.” — Choice Skinner, award-winning director of Not So Bright

Stay tuned for updates on the film’s release — and follow along with behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram: @notsobrightmovie