AI overview
AI-driven tools can now assist a construction manager and their day-to-day processes by streamlining planning, resource management and risk assessment, allowing managers to focus on delivering high-quality work within tight deadlines. For example, AI can optimise construction schedules, predict potential delays and automate material tracking, reducing the time spent on manual coordination.
AI also brings advanced visualisation capabilities, enabling construction managers to preview set designs through virtual or augmented reality tools.
These technologies allow teams to identify potential design conflicts or resource constraints before construction begins, saving time and money.
Additionally, AI-driven systems can analyse historical data to provide cost forecasts and sustainability assessments, aligning with modern industry standards for efficiency and eco-conscious production.
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How can I prepare for the future?
To stay ahead, construction managers could consider embracing AI tools that enhance visualisation, efficiency and safety in set construction.
Learning to integrate AI into workflows can improve resource management, streamline planning and support sustainable practices.
Although many of these tools are currently in their infancy, they will ultimately be able to create a complete set of documents including schedule, parts list, resource requirements, health and safety documentation, cost planning and many other aspects simply from a dimensioned hand sketch of a potential set.
Harnessing these kinds of assistants and tools will become helpful to improve efficiency, stay competitive and be able to give feedback to producers and construction teams quickly and accurately.
Training opportunities, such as those provided by ScreenSkills and other online platforms, can help construction managers develop the skills needed to work with AI tools effectively.
By staying informed about advancements in AI and adopting secure data practices, managers can ensure their work remains innovative and aligned with industry trends.
Embracing AI in construction management
AI offers construction managers in film and TV a powerful toolkit to improve efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability.
While AI can automate routine tasks and provide data-driven insights, the role’s core skills - problem-solving, leadership and creativity - remain irreplaceable.
By integrating AI thoughtfully, construction managers can enhance collaboration, optimise workflows and contribute to productions that are not only visually stunning but also logistically seamless and environmentally responsible.
With the right balance of technology and expertise, construction managers can confidently navigate the evolving demands of modern filmmaking.
What AI tools can I use right now?
AI tools are available to support construction managers at every stage of film production, from pre-production planning to post-production evaluations.
- Set design and visualisation: AI tools can create detailed 3D models and virtual renderings of sets, enabling construction managers to visualise designs and anticipate potential issues. These models can integrate design elements with logistical considerations, such as listing the available materials and or heling to organise crew schedules, even potentially from simply a script and CAD drawing of the set.
- Confidential and customisable AI models: Self-hosted AI models offer some new features, in comparison to simply uploading your work to the cloud and using ChatGPT. Construction managers are now able to create their own AIs, hosting them locally on their own computers instead of using cloud services. This can enable a construction manager to work confidentially, or even develop their own unique AIs that have learnt from them directly, acting as an assistant that matches and understands their workflows. Meta (Ollama), Mistral AI and quite a few other models will allow this. It does take a bit of training and learning to be able to set it up, but it is possible to use your own past work as a training data set or a template to work from.
- Material tracking and cost analysis: AI systems can track material usage in real-time, predicting shortages or overages and ensuring budget alignment. These tools could also analyse supplier costs, helping managers identify the most cost-effective options, giving instant comparisons quickly to other similar productions.
- Safety and compliance monitoring: AI tools can assess construction safety risks, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. They monitor site conditions and provide real-time alerts for potential hazards, reducing accidents and downtime. This can be through applications of computer vision or other similar technologies.
- Continuity: Other techniques can also be useful, such as using comparison AIs to ensure continuity between sections of a set in comparison to a previous episode or series.
- Efficiency analysis and reporting: AI has the ability to assist with review and analysis of a project once the construction has completed, automating some elements of aggregation of actual costs and comparing them to the budgeted plan, or analysing team utilisation and deployment to be able to make improvements for the next shoot. AI can also be used for the automation of archiving, labelling and storing digital assets such as text, photos, videos and other forms of data needed as reference points for future productions.
- Sustainability assessments: AI-driven systems can analyse the environmental impact of materials and processes, offering recommendations for more sustainable practices in set construction.
AI-driven 3D modelling and visualisation: AI tools that create detailed 3D models and virtual renderings, allowing managers to anticipate issues before construction begins.
AI-driven scheduling and resource management: AI can optimise construction schedules and resource allocation by analysing factors specific to production, such as shooting timelines, actor availability and location constraints, reducing downtime and costs.
Self-hosted AI models for privacy: Locally hosted AI systems for secure data handling and analysis, eliminating reliance on external servers.
Real-time material tracking: AI systems that monitor material usage and predict shortages, helping managers optimise resources.
Safety and compliance monitoring tools: AI tools that assess safety risks on construction sites and ensure adherence to regulations.
Sustainability assessments: AI-driven analysis of environmental impacts, offering recommendations for eco-friendly construction practices.
Advanced building information modeling (BIM): Adapted from construction for the entertainment industry, BIM software can assist in creating detailed 3D models of sets, including structural and spatial information and other metadata, streamlining the construction process and improving accuracy and coordination between departments.
Cloud-based collaboration platforms: Utilising cloud services for real-time collaboration, file sharing and project management can make remote work more efficient and secure.
Robotics and automation: Robots are increasingly easier to program and operate, enabling them to handle repetitive or complex tasks like precise cuts or assembly of set pieces, increasing efficiency, safety, and allowing the crew to focus on more creative (less prescriptive or repetitive) aspects.
ScreenSkills offers a variety of training opportunities for people at all stages of their career. Explore all training, events and opportunities.
Also check out the ScreenSkills construction manager job profile.
Other resources:
- Various AI-based scheduling companies offer courses and tutorials for their own systems
- GitHub has resources on AI hosting and YouTube has guides for self-hosted model set-up
- LinkedIn Learning has courses on AI in construction logistics
- Coursera has tutorials on AI for risk assessment
- Skillshare has tutorials on green construction
- Bow Electronics universal robotics programming systems