Fable Studio, an Emmy-winning startup, has secured funding from Amazon for its new AI streaming platform called Showrunner, which is positioned as an innovative tool for content creation. The platform, which will be available to users starting Thursday, allows subscribers to create their own animated shows or modify existing intellectual property (IP) by incorporating their own characters or scenes. Subscription costs range from $10 to $40 per month, depending on the credits used for creation.
Founded in 2018 by former Oculus team members, Fable aims to revolutionize storytelling by leveraging AI to create more interactive entertainment experiences. CEO Edward Saatchi envisions Showrunner as a way to foster creativity and collaboration, allowing users to earn a share of revenue—approximately 40%—from any derivative content they generate.
Fable is actively pitching this model to Hollywood studios, encouraging them to allow their IP on the platform. Saatchi argues that studios could benefit financially from user engagement and increased visibility of their properties through social media sharing. While some studios have adopted AI technologies, many remain cautious about its implications for traditional job roles and creative processes.
Currently, Showrunner has one unnamed studio partner and is in discussions with others, including Disney. Saatchi suggests that studios are becoming more open to interactive fan engagement, referencing Disney's investment in gaming platforms as a potential model for collaboration.
In addition to user-generated content, Showrunner will feature original shows, such as "Exit Valley," a satirical comedy that allows users to personalize episodes by inserting themselves and their friends as characters. Overall, Showrunner marks a significant step in the intersection of AI technology and entertainment.