Compos Mentis Productions
Virtual Story Lab

Virtual Story Lab

Virtual Story Lab is the training and community-building arm of Compos Mentis Productions. We provide practical, production-led education in AI filmmaking, creative technology and emerging screen workflows.

Our training grows out of active production, research and experimentation. We focus on transferable methods, critical understanding and the creative and production judgement needed to use new technologies with purpose, rather than simply teaching individual tools.

Don’t just ask what AI can do. Ask what you can do with AI.

Explore Virtual Story Lab

Virtual Story Lab · Course programme

Your next chapter starts here.

Practical AI filmmaking courses. Find your next step.

October 2026 – February 2027

4 courses · Enrol with London Film Works

October 2026

Starts

AI Filmmaking Fundamentals

Wednesday evenings (14th October - 18th November)

About this course

A short course on the fundamentals of AI in film and TV production, making sure to keep the human centred. Across six interactive sessions, learners discover how AI is transforming animation, storyboarding, screenwriting, sound design, and production ethics. This is delivered through practical prompts, guided demonstrations, and real-world examples.

Capacity:
25

£450 for all sessions

View course & enrol

November 2026

Starts

AI Filmmaking Next Steps

Wednesday evenings (4th November - 9th December)

About this course

Build characters, story worlds, references and shot plans for more coherent AI-assisted scenes. Develop your filmmaking practice in this course focusing on the use of AI in scene construction, world building and dialogue. This intermediate course is designed for filmmakers, TV professionals and content creators who have some previous experience using AI tools.

Capacity:
25

£450 for all sessions

View course & enrol

December 2026

Starts

AI Filmmaking Winter Intensive

14th - 18th December

About this course

In this five-day intensive programme, participants will take a project from initial concept through to a completed short film, while exploring the ways in which contemporary AI tools can support scene construction, image generation, sound design, dialogue development, and post-production within a professional filmmaking workflow.

Capacity:
15

£950 for all sessions

View course & enrol

January 2027

Starts

AI Filmmaking Mastery

Wednesday evenings (20th January - 24th February 2027)

About this course

AI-generated video presents particular challenges for professional finishing, including compression, limited colour information, inconsistent detail, temporal artefacts and variable technical quality. This course shows participants how to address those challenges through a complete post-production and delivery workflow.

Capacity:
25

£450 for all sessions

View course & enrol

Training for organisations and teams

Virtual Story Lab also designs and delivers bespoke training, workshops and professional development programmes for organisations, educational institutions and creative teams.

Programmes can be tailored to your team’s needs, experience and working context, from practical introductions to generative AI through to production workflows, responsible use, rights, provenance and emerging screen practice.

Discuss training for your organisation

Partnerships, funded programmes and industry engagement

We work with film schools, public bodies, creative organisations and industry networks to deliver training and contribute to current conversations around AI, creative technology and screen production.

London Film Works

London Film Works

AI filmmaking education partner

Virtual Story Lab works with London Film Works (part of London Film School) to develop and deliver practical, craft-led AI filmmaking education.

Funded by UK Government

Funded by UK Government

Training delivered through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

We delivered practical AI training for businesses and creative professionals in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Our wider industry engagement includes talks, seminars and workshops delivered through Creative UK, Silicon South, Women in Tech Dorset, Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth.

Explore Virtual Story Lab

Discover current courses, live events and professional development for filmmakers, educators, creative professionals, teams and organisations.

Visit Virtual Story Lab
Virtual Story Lab — Where Technology and Stories Converge