12 February 2026 | London, UK: Plastic Pictures today premieres The Green Man, a dark-comedy short film that blends AI tools with human creativity and filmmaking expertise.
Made as a passion project, The Green Man is a practical experiment in how emerging technology can unlock bigger, bolder ideas. The benchmark wasn’t whether AI could be used, but whether it enabled something traditionally out of reach within the same timeframe and budget. With AI supporting the process, the team was able to move faster, explore more, and build a richer story world than conventional production would have realistically allowed, without shrinking the ambition.
But this wasn’t “technology for spectacle”. Everything in this film was created with intention, and “to AI, or not to AI?” is always the question. Although AI supported much of the process, when it came to the voiceover, The Green Man demanded a real performance. An American actor brought the nuance, the comedic timing and the personality that gives our Green Man presence. This is a good example of how the Plastic team approached the use of this technology, always asking – will this serve the idea, the output and craft?
Synopsis
Meet the Green Man: a behind-the-scenes “legend” convinced he’s the beating heart of every production. In his head, he’s a superstar. In reality, his face never hits the screen, his “fans” don’t exist, and he’s slowly being replaced. Cue the rude awakening, the identity collapse, and the brutal truth: no one really cared. A warning label comes as standard: don’t let ego take the wheel. It will happily steer you straight off a cliff.
Samantha Gunn, Creative Director at Plastic Pictures, said:
“We’re always chasing the unexpected elements that push our ideas further than the obvious first answer, and AI can be a brilliant way to do that. With The Green Man, AI helped us bring something close to impossible to life with real depth and craft, without needing huge resources. But AI or not, the goal never changes: make work that subverts expectations, surprises the audience, and actually sticks. That’s what makes ideas bold and memorable, and that’s how they earn lasting impact. And honestly, this project has been a playground for our team. A chance to experiment, play, and craft something ambitious from very little, and that is very exciting!”
Sarah Jenner (SJ), Content Innovation Director at Plastic Pictures, added:
“AI isn’t new anymore. The value comes from understanding where it genuinely elevates the work and having the discipline to avoid it where it doesn’t. The Green Man became the perfect live test, using AI to expand creative exploration and speed up iteration, while keeping human craft at the centre. It’s proof that when experimentation is led by creative intent, you can do more with less without watering anything down.”
The Green Man launches on 12 February 2026 across Plastic Pictures’ LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube channels, supported by behind-the-scenes content exploring both the creative process and the broader questions the film raises about relevance in an increasingly AI-shaped world.