Creative Technologist
About the job
- Strong experience with ComfyUI.
- Solid working knowledge of Python for automation, scripting, and debugging.
- Deep understanding of latent diffusion workflows and VAE decoding.
- Experience with ControlNet variants and model conditioning techniques.
- Familiarity with AI tools such as Midjourney, Nano Banana, and Seedream.
- Experience with AI video tools such as Kling, Veo, Seedance, and Runway.
- Strong awareness of the AI filmmaking community on X and ability to track emerging workflows, tools, and techniques in real time.
- Design, build, and maintain end-to-end AI workflows for image and video generation.
- Build repeatable templates for shot production across series.
- Integrate ControlNet systems for depth, pose, motion, and segmentation into workflows.
- Manage model versioning, LoRA stacks, and asset consistency.
- Test and evaluate new AI tools, models, and creative workflows.
- Present findings and workflow improvements to internal teams.
- Act as a technical resource across creative pods.
- Build relationships with leading AI platforms and contribute to thought leadership in the space.
- Establish and maintain a public-facing presence for TrueShort’s innovation and R&D efforts, showcasing workflows, insights, and creative advancements.
- Experience in film, animation, or VFX environments.
- Familiarity with Nuke, Blender, Unreal, or similar tools.
- Understanding of color pipelines and high bit-depth workflows.
- Active presence in the AI community through X, research, or publishing insights.
About the company
TrueShort offers mobile-first true-crime short-form documentaries accessed via a subscription, featuring exclusive micro-series where each ~60-second episode is released in vertical video. The platform stitches together a streaming library with a TikTok-style feed, letting viewers binge an entire season in about 20 minutes. It differentiates itself by delivering ultra-short, mobile-optimized episodes and a steady stream of exclusive series rather than long-form, platform-wide releases. Its goals are to grow its subscriber base, expand the video library, and resolve issues like cross-device access while keeping production costs low.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
Seed
Total Funding
$12M
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
Founded
2026
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Business Insider reported a $12 million seed round on May 13, 2026.
- Management targets $10 million annual revenue by end-2026, signaling aggressive growth.
- App Store ratings hit 4.9 with 17K-19K reviews, showing strong consumer pull.
What critics are saying
- App Store reviews through August 2026 complain about audio-only episodes and broken device access.
- High subscription pricing, including $39.99 annually, increases churn if content depth lags.
- AI-generated performers already triggered backlash; creator supply and audience trust erode quickly.
What makes TrueShort unique
- TrueShort owns a narrow true-crime vertical, unlike broader short-drama rivals.
- Its 60-second vertical episodes fit mobile bingeing in roughly 20 minutes per season.
- Khosla, WndrCo, and Jeffrey Katzenberg back its AI-first micro-production model.
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Benefits
Remote Work Options
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Hybrid Work Options
Company Equity
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -16%1 year growth
↓ -16%2 year growth
↓ -16%Los Angeles-based actors are losing jobs in the fast-growing micro drama industry to AI-generated performers, marking an early test of artificial intelligence's impact on Hollywood. Hannah Lowery, Blake Manning and Faith Orta are among several young actors who secured roles in short-form mobile series only to have productions shift entirely to AI. TrueShort, backed by Khosla Ventures and Jeffrey Katzenberg's WndrCo, can produce 20- to 30-minute shows for $1,000 to $3,000, compared to $100,000 to $300,000 using human actors. In China, where micro dramas originated, AI productions are expected to generate $3.5 billion in revenue this year. The shift threatens an important income source for emerging actors, with nearly a third of LA casting opportunities in early May for micro drama roles. Industry experts say viewers still prefer human performers, though some producers report platforms demanding AI-only content.
TrueShort, an AI movie app producing short-form "verticals", has raised $12 million in seed funding led by Keith Rabois at Khosla Ventures. The round included Jeffrey Katzenberg's WndrCo, A24's Ravi Nandan, Behance founder Scott Belsky and General Catalyst. Founded by serial entrepreneur Nate Tepper, TrueShort creates AI-generated films split into one- to three-minute episodes for mobile viewing. The company currently focuses on documentary-style true crime content, using AI tools from Eleven Labs and Midjourney to produce films for $1,000 to $3,000 each, compared to typical micro-drama costs of $100,000 to $300,000. The app operates on a subscription model, charging $39.99 annually. Tepper projects the company will achieve $10 million in annual revenue by end-2026 and plans to expand to additional genres.