Staircase Studios AI: 30 AI-Films in 4 Years at $500K Each (March 2025)

Veteran Hollywood producer Pouya Shahbazian, known for Divergent, has launched Staircase Studios AI, a new entertainment company focused on film, television, and gaming. The studio aims to create around 30 projects over the next four years, each with a budget of roughly $500,000, challenging the economics of traditional Hollywood.

At the core of the plan is ForwardMotion, the studio’s proprietary AI production workflow. It blends artificial intelligence with human creativity—writers, directors, actors, and designers collaborate while AI handles visual effects, design, and post-production.

The debut release will be a five-minute proof-of-concept short, demonstrating near-studio quality on a fraction of the usual budget. Early projects will focus on horror and science fiction, genres well suited to bold visuals and experimental storytelling.

Staircase emphasizes that human performers remain central, providing voices and facial performances while union-level talent is engaged across production roles. The approach promises faster turnarounds and lower costs while keeping ethical and creative standards intact.

With experienced investors and advisors from across the entertainment industry, Staircase Studios AI positions itself as a direct challenge to traditional Hollywood production, aiming to bring ambitious stories to life at a price point previously unimaginable.