Moonvalley, a Los Angeles-based AI video generation startup, has announced the public launch of its “3D-aware” Marey model, designed specifically for filmmakers seeking greater creative control. Initially introduced in beta form in March, Marey is now accessible through a monthly, credits-based subscription plan. Pricing tiers range from $14.99 for 100 credits, $34.99 for 250 credits, to $149.99 for 1,000 credits, with generated video clips capped at five seconds, comparable to industry-standard models.
Founded by former DeepMind researchers involved in developing Google’s own AI video generator, Moonvalley emphasizes Marey’s unique attribute: the system was trained entirely on openly licensed data. This approach significantly reduces legal risks related to potential copyright disputes—a critical selling point for filmmakers.
Independent filmmaker Ángel Manuel Soto stresses Marey’s value in democratizing filmmaking, offering otherwise inaccessible tools to new demographics previously excluded by costly traditional methods. Soto, who grew up in Puerto Rico, explains that AI-powered technology like Marey removes longstanding financial and logistical barriers, granting filmmakers economic independence and creative autonomy. He estimates Marey has eased production expenses by approximately 20% to 40% and allows him greater artistic freedom. Earlier, Soto collaborated with Moonvalley’s studio branch, known as Asteria (now integrated within Moonvalley), on the HBO docuseries “Menudo: Forever Young.”
Moonvalley CEO and co-founder Naeem Talukdar highlighted some of Marey’s advanced capabilities. Beyond standard video generation, Marey allows filmmakers intricate manipulation of video elements during pre- and post-production, enabling easy adjustments in scenes, character movements, and even camera angles. Its sophisticated understanding of real-world physics allows realistic motions and interactions—for instance, translating the movement of a real animal on running terrain into the believable trajectory of a speeding automobile in the same environment.
Additionally, Marey supports free-form camera control, with near-360-degree camera motion and intuitive adjustments such as drag-and-drop camera motion paths, replicating techniques typically achieved only through expensive physical filming setups or elaborate post-production processes. Talukdar also demonstrated its scene-altering capabilities, where the background setting of a video can be seamlessly shifted; for example, changing from a suburban road to a countryside highway mid-clip.
Looking ahead, Moonvalley plans to introduce further refinements, including adjustable lighting options, expanded control over complex object trajectories, and comprehensive character libraries. With this launch, Moonvalley enters a competitive landscape alongside established AI video generators—such as Runway Gen-3, Luma Dream Machine, Pika, and Haiper—each vying for the increasingly dynamic AI-powered filmmaking segments.
