Toronto-based Moonvalley just released Marey, a new AI video generation tool that helps filmmakers create professional videos while avoiding copyright issues. The company raised $84 million in fresh funding recently, bringing total investment to $154 million.
Unlike other AI video tools that scrape content from the internet, Marey uses only licensed footage. This approach helps studios avoid lawsuits while creating commercially ready content. The tool has already helped filmmaker Ángel Manuel Soto reduce production costs by 20% to 40%.
Licensed Content Sets Marey Apart From Competitors
Marey builds on training data that comes 80% from licensed sources. Moonvalley partnered with filmmakers, agencies, and platforms like Vimeo to secure proper licensing. This differs from competitors like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo, which face ongoing legal challenges over unauthorized content use.
Major studios including HBO and ad agencies have already adopted Marey in pilot programs. The tool helped create content for a Carl Sagan documentary through Moonvalley’s in-house studio Asteria.
The company secured strategic backing from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), CoreWeave, and Comcast Ventures. This funding reflects industry demand for AI tools that respect intellectual property rights.
Advanced Controls Beyond Simple Text Prompts
Marey offers filmmakers precise control over video creation. The tool provides 3D-aware scene manipulation, allowing users to adjust camera angles, lighting, and object movement after generation. Users can create handheld camera simulations and execute complex trajectory shifts.
The system supports motion transfer between different objects. For example, users can take motion from a running bison and apply it to a moving car, maintaining realistic physics. Character superimposition lets filmmakers overlay one person’s appearance onto another actor while preserving natural movement.
Effects veteran Ed Ulbrich, who worked on Titanic and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, recently joined Moonvalley’s team. His involvement signals industry confidence in the tool’s professional capabilities.
Pricing Structure Makes Professional AI Video Accessible
Moonvalley offers Marey through a credit-based subscription model starting at $14.99 monthly for 100 credits. The mid-tier plan costs $34.99 for 250 credits, while the premium option provides 1,000 credits for $149.99.
Each video generation uses credits based on duration and complexity. Users can create clips up to five seconds long at 1080p resolution and 24fps. Studios can also fine-tune private versions using project-specific data.
The pricing puts professional AI video tools within reach of independent filmmakers. Soto noted that traditional filmmaking in Puerto Rico required hundreds or thousands of dollars just for camera rentals. Marey democratizes access to high-quality video creation tools.
Technical Capabilities Target Professional Workflows
Marey integrates into existing production pipelines for previsualization, storyboarding, and B-roll generation. The tool understands physical world properties, allowing realistic motion and lighting adjustments. Users can change backgrounds, adjust camera movements, and edit shots after initial generation.
The system supports free camera motion with near-360-degree movement capabilities. Directors can shift camera trajectories using mouse controls and create footage that mimics handheld or dolly shots. This level of control matches professional filmmaking requirements.
Moonvalley plans to add lighting controls, deep object trajectories, and character libraries in coming months. The company also develops API access for developers and internal platform teams.
Hollywood Adoption Signals Industry Shift
The entertainment industry prioritizes AI companies that respect creator rights over those using unlicensed content. Moonvalley’s licensing-first approach addresses growing concerns about copyright infringement in AI training data.
CAA’s Alexandra Shannon emphasized the importance of AI tools that empower rather than undermine artists. The agency sees Marey as aligned with ethical AI development principles that support creative professionals.
Moonvalley CEO Naeem Talukdar stressed that the tool enhances rather than replaces human creativity. He compared it to power tools that help directors achieve their vision more efficiently. The company positions Marey as enabling “hybrid filmmaking” that combines human creativity with AI capabilities.
Market Position Against Major Competitors
Marey competes directly with established AI video generators including Runway Gen-3, Luma Dream Machine, Pika, and Haiper. However, its licensing approach and professional focus differentiate it from consumer-oriented tools.
The tool’s 3D-aware capabilities and precise controls target professional workflows that simple text-to-video tools cannot handle. While competitors focus on ease of use, Marey prioritizes the creative control that filmmakers need for commercial projects.
Moonvalley’s $154 million in funding provides resources to scale operations and meet enterprise demand. The company hires engineering and support teams for enterprise-scale deployments while expanding its licensed content library.
The success of Marey reflects broader industry recognition that AI video tools must balance technical capabilities with legal compliance. As copyright concerns grow, licensed training data becomes a competitive advantage rather than just an ethical choice.
