WELCOME BEHIND THE INSCREEN

MACHINES, AI & ART

Machines are great tools.

They can help us do wonderful things, but as an aid, not a master.

However smart machine intelligence (AI) may appear, it is intelligence made from data alone.

It can eloquently describe the human condition, but it will never truly know what it is like to live it.

We can use machines in the process of creating art, and I do, but they will never understand the feeling of it.

It takes a human to put soul into the art and make it mean something.

Turn off the machines, and the true artist will still create art.

But we created them for a reason, to enhance our productivity and creativity. Not to replace it.

It’s about integrating them as part of the process – and not using them to replace the whole process.

The topic of AI is vast.

As an independent artist and creative professional, AI started to impact my career a few years ago…

THE RIGHT CHOICE, NOT THE EASIEST

The power in the process.

In 2023, I received a commission to illustrate a children’s book called Speedy Phoebe. It was set around a small town elementary school in the United States. The twist was that the residents of the town and the students at the school were all anthropomorphic cars.
*Side note* making cars look like people with rich character is rather hard to do!

It was the author’s first book; it had always been her dream to write one. It was also the first time I’d illustrated one. This was at a time when using AI to create children’s books was exploding, but we wanted to do it the proper way, however long it took.

The author wanted to create an ongoing series. I would only be able to work on the first book, so I felt it necessary to go in-depth to create the characters, their personalities, and the world in which they lived.  I did so by building the characters and worlds out in Blender (3D software). This is so they could be viewed at all angles and work harmoniously together in the same 3D space. I set up the scenes before drawing and digitally painting them.

It was a challenging process but a rewarding one. Everyone loved the results, and there were multiple payoffs and achievements throughout the process.

The full project took over a year; I’m sure AI was used to create an insane amount of generic books in the same amount of time, but without all the benefits for everyone involved.

HUMAN FIRST

For 5 years, from 2020-25, I worked with a friend, a hospitality industry recruiter, to conceive and develop a video-first recruitment app – Say HELO!.

The app and platform make the recruitment process easier and more enjoyable for the candidates. It empowers key human decision-makers to make better, faster and more streamlined decisions. This is when nearly every other platform is trying to replace human decision-making with AI.

Discernment

We knew using AI instead of humans to recruit (especially in hospitality) had many pitfalls, so we left it out. Again, with the whole push towards AI adoption, it would have been far easier to receive funding if we had based the app fully around it.

AI wasn’t the right choice for making recruiting decisions – so we didn’t use it. But we did use it to make the sound and voices clearer on the candidates’ videos – enhancing the human connection rather than replacing it.

CONSIDERED INTEGRATION

Not rejection or replacement

There are many fears around AI.

But like any tool, it is the user who chooses whether to use it in a good or bad way. The tool is neutral.

As demonstrated above, AI’s impact on the workplace has been happening for a few years, especially in the creative industries.

With all the hype about AI taking people’s jobs (created by the same people who make it) and the corporate imposition of it without public consultation, for many, AI went from wonder and amusement to annoyance, and then to anger.

AI and animation

When it comes to animated videos, which I’ve been making since the early 2000s, the world is now flooded by what people are referring to as ‘AI slop’.

Although I understand people’s reactions, there are many problems with this black-and-white thinking, especially knowing the industry from the inside as a lifelong independent creator.

For many, everything is lumped into the same ‘AI’ bucket, regardless of quality or depth of process. There are elements identified as AI that are not, and vice versa. It’s confusing and adds more distrust between people.

There is a lot of low-effort content, but also many high-effort, highly crafted pieces that integrate AI.

AI is here, it’s everywhere, and it’s not going away unless something cataclysmic changes.

We can either use it for good or bad.

Rather than dismiss it, I delved deep to see what good it can do.

Starting by integrating it into the videos I started to create in March 2025, and termed Cinematic EDM.

NEW POSSIBILITIES

AI can open up lots of possibilities for independent creators, especially if used as part of a larger artistic vision.

I can guarantee you all major production companies and artists are using it in some respect. Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage, but use it skillfully.

Long-form animation

For its use in videos, I approach it like a filmmaker.

I use AI as part of the larger process (pre-production) to create short video clips. It’s great to try out various visual and character styles from which to create hundreds of curated and well-thought-out clips to use per project. These clips are sorted, edited and woven together with lots of other mixed media (my own photos, videos, animations, graphics, etc.), my original music and stories in After Effects to make cinematic visions.

Cinematic Visions that would have been impossible for an independent creator to create previously without far more time and/or larger budgets and help. I know because I’ve always been a solo creator. I have been making hand-drawn, animated videos since the early 2000s and much more beyond across many different creative fields.

Pro-editing

When making videos, I still work in the same way I always have in After Effects; I now just have the added option of using short AI-generated clips within the project.

This new workflow helps power the Cinematic Productions and MDT Synergy, which add a whole new dimension to DJing and human interaction with digital creation.

MUSIC

I produce, mix and master my own productions and for others, using a DAW.

With music now, though, you can type a prompt into Suno and get full, decent-sounding tracks straight out.

As someone who has spent years honing the craft, I really dislike this. Most of all, because I don’t want it to put people off who have only just started making music or are thinking of it. Or people just using prompting to make music.

Joy in the process

For beginners, I urge them not to let it put them off. There is so much joy and purpose in the process of making music, which AI will never be able to replace. Self-actualisation will never come from typing a prompt alone.

There is still a gap between the top productions and engineering, and what AI can spit out, but the lines are blurring. The arrangements, clarity and power you get straight out of AI don’t compare, but it can be very good for generating elements (stems) to use within a production.

So again it’s about skilful integration into a larger process. And only if required to enhance the bigger vision – not replace.

Now, weaving together story, energy, emotion and true self-expression is more important than ever.

Hone the craft

Unfortunately, though, for many years, new producers have been encouraged to chase streams far too early in their production career. This always made me feel really uneasy, celebrating stream numbers rather than quality, focusing on making music that genuinely connects with and moves people. I’ve seen many artists start with great potential but get disillusioned by the machine.

It’s part of the reason I’ve created this and why I create really deep experiences, but don’t rush to release on DSPs.

My advice is to hone your craft and enjoy your journey. Make self-actualisation the goal.

VISUAL ART

When it comes to visual art, generating disconnected images and video clips isn’t the same as weaving together multiple elements to make a coherent whole.

AI can create great one-off images, but humans connect to story and relationship, so to make the most of it, it’s about building it into your overall developed style, which draws people into a coherent story.

Taking the time to develop your own style isn’t something that AI can do for you, but it can help in the process.

Find unique styles

I’ve always painted. I worked as a fine artist at the beginning of my career. That doesn’t mean, though, it’d be wise, practical or even possible for me to paint every one of my music tracks artworks (I’ve produced 100s of tracks and 100s of artworks).

I create resonant styles using AI as part of the artwork process to create styles in line with my overall style, and the specific sub-categories and series within that.  Then I use various editing tools to bring everything together.

This can be seen in many of the artworks across the various MDT Vision Series since 2024.

But I use the same overall techniques for my artwork as I did before AI, with my first series, The Projecter, which used no AI, and for nearly 20 years as Elastic Canvas

PERSPECTIVE

As an artist, it’s about choosing the right tools and ingredients for the context of the job at hand.

Electronic music has always used samples, and in video making, stock videos, images, effects and assets have been used for years.

The chef analogy

Give a great chef the same ingredients as an average cook, and you’ll get very different results. You don’t mark the chef down for not growing the veg and raising the animals for the meat. They know how to select and prepare the best ingredients and will also know how to make the best of any ingredients at their disposal.

It’s about selection, preparation, combining them and cooking them that makes the whole.

Think about using AI like that.

PART OF A BIGGER VISION

AI as a creative tool has the ability to do a lot. But if it’s used to do everything, then it’s unfulfilling for everyone. It can, though, be used thoughtfully and skillfully as a part of a much bigger process, opening up new possibilities for independent creators.

The latter is the only way I use it.

BACK TO NATURE

The internet as a whole, though, is becoming way too restricted. It’s why my focus is on bringing innovation back into the real world, with what’s happening here at THE INSCREEN.

Since DJing went digital with sync-lock, the DJ had less to do as mixing on vinyl was far harder. So it became less about letting the record play and more about the DJ tricks and quick switches between tracks.

I still liked DJing, but it had far less appeal – I knew new dimensions could be opened up.

MDT SYNERGY

Full audiovisual immersion shouldn’t only be reserved for artists and DJs with teams and massive production budgets.

MDT Synergy was created to open this world up.

I’ve always made videos that move perfectly in time with the music to enhance the story, energy, and emotion throughout. Being able to mix the videos in time with the music, with all the music control of the DJ decks was part one.

Ease of integration

There are specific decks where video mixing is possible, but I wanted to open it up to all digital decks and have extra visual control. I also wanted it to be easily integrated into existing club and festival setups. As such, I chose Resolume, the industry standard VJ software, to be part of the process. Resolume is really designed for looping short clips and for separate VJ control rather than DJ.

A lot more needed to be factored in to mix several minute-long videos that sync but run separately from the music on the decks, where there is more control. This is what the MDT Synergy system allows, and then there are the real payoffs –

DJing evolved

Rather than it being about watching the DJ and what they are doing with the music only, dancing, tricks etc. there would be visual worlds specifically made to go in sync with the music played on the decks, controlled by the DJ. This would allow each track to play for longer, and the involvement for everyone would get even more in-depth.

Accessible

Some mainstage DJs put on amazing, immersive audiovisual shows, but it takes teams of people. The MDT Synergy adds an extra level of control and immersion, as well as making the entry point more accessible.

In the demos, on this website and the MDT Vision website, I’ve created everything and am controlling everything live and spontaneously. By working with me, this can be made available to dedicated visionaries, too.

Beyond the club and festival experience, the power of electronic music has so much to give, and that is why I started to combine it with cinematic storytelling, with INFINITE CINEMA.

MDT CINEMA

THE INSCREEN ecosystem is about building people up

The cinematic side is about creating viewing experiences which increase energy, awareness and connection. Dance music powered experiences that energise the body, spirit and mind. That can be enjoyed socially with others in a different way from clubbing (hangover-free!)

With the teaching, it’s about getting people in touch with the transformative power of music and art creation in pursuit of self-actualisation. Not the pursuit of Spotify numbers and vanity metrics that lead nowhere good.

…and this is just the beginning.

Real art has, is, and always will be created by humans, regardless of the medium used.

Keeping that true essence alive and igniting that spark in others is what this is about.

Cheers, Matt (MDT Vision)

PAINTING

Reigniting Passion

After university, Matt returned to Nottingham, looking for work as a graphic designer. Although he had a strong portfolio of work, there weren’t many agencies in the area, and the ones that were were looking for in-house experience. None were looking for graduates.

He spent a few years in a hedonistic hangover, working a job to pay the bills and living for weekends of music, DJing and partying. Apart from the DJing and cooking in the evening (which he used to channel his creative compulsions), he was lacking purpose and in a spiritual slump.

That was until he received a message out of the blue from his old school art teacher, which inspired him to pick up a paintbrush again.

Getting back into creating physical, tangible Art woke him up from his slumber. A bonus was that his friends liked his work too. Soon, paid commissions started to come in.

It was the only inspiration needed to quit his job and go all in.

The Rat Pack (2008) – commission – 4 x 90x60x4cm Acrylic paintings on canvas

Back To Music

Whilst the Elastic Canvas, all-in-one service, was great for his clients and creatively fulfilling for Matt, almost 10 years in, he was still searching.

In the search, he was working across many industries, in various fields, performing many different roles.

He had linked together many fields of visual art and design, even moving into interior design and build jobs, managing teams. But there was still a missing piece; the responsibilities of the many roles were stacking, and burnout was on the horizon.

In 2016, it arrived.

A reset and rethink were needed.

He didn’t know what the answer was, but he knew it would be found in music.

That was the beginning of MDT Vision and the new road to today.

All these experiences combined have resulted in the methods used in the studio.

MDT VISION

Immersive Worlds of Sound and Vision

As an artist, Matt uses his unique methods to stay fresh, exciting, and the quality consistently high.

The proof is in the music and range of immersive experiences he creates.

You can find out more at the MDT Vision website.

To find out the road to how he got here, and the more direct route he’s created for you – read on.

Tried and Tested Methods

Matt has developed and refined a toolbox of unique, independent creation and teaching methods.

Methods which empower the individual to weave many dimensions together.

Everything is done in the right order, starting with the bigger picture and working down to the fine details.

The foundational system he teaches for music production is called the SEE Method.

How he came to it combined the way he worked as Elastic Canvas with what he was about to learn.

The SEE Method

Story + Energy = Emotion

Drawing from years of learning, creating and teaching, Matt developed his own, unique music production system called the ‘SEE Method’.

It is a foundational system which gets amazing, consistent results for starting and finishing energetically powerful, emotionally moving tracks every time.

This method addresses all the key areas in the right order.

Students of the method know how to start and finish a fully arranged track after the first session. With a process that can be repeated every time, for every genre.

It’s about building the strong foundations first and from there going into the infinite levels of detail and self-expression.

The system is highly beneficial for producers of any level.

As well as the SEE Method, what gets the results is his teaching style and holistic approach, which is a lot down to his lifelong experience and synergetic approach.

MDT Mentorships

Matt has taught many fellow music artists one-on-one, from all around the world, over Zoom. Helping them realise their potential and deepen their love for the craft.

The studio is here to develop the next generation of visionary artists. To help people of all ages unlock their inner artist.

This is only for those who are prepared to go deep, to master their craft, find their own voice and set their own standards.

So they can create art that moves.