Featured Studio - Axio. increasing efficiency with AI
- GridMarkets.AI
- Aug 4
- 8 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Axioworld
Axio. Is a creative media production company founded in 2023, based in London is using AI to increase production efficiency while operating remotely.
After several years in the VFX industry, we decided to create our own studio to explore new possibilities for our work. It wasn't easy - it took time to find our identity and establish our roles within the studio. However, we remained patient, and after two years of development, things began to fall into place naturally.
Now we're more established, we're starting to use generative AI in conjunction with traditional DCCs to enhance our workflows and deliver faster while not compromising on quality.
Listen to the Podcast: Axio. and AI
Background and Journey into AI
What first brought you into the world of AI?
I was looking for a smarter way to manage creative workflows. As a 3D studio founder, I had to deal with tight deadlines, complex shots, and repetitive tasks. When AI tools started to appear, I saw real potential. I began testing them, not to replace artists, but to remove friction.
Over time, we built tools around them and integrated them into production where they actually helped. It became a way to protect creativity by saving time and energy where it counts.
Can you describe your first steps exploring AI in your creative process?
I started by trying to understand how those AI videos on social media were made. As someone working in VFX, I found it frustrating not to know how they did it. So I tested Kling, Runway, and Luma. My first attempts were horrible.
The first one is still on my LinkedIn if anyone wants to see it.
Then ComfyUI arrived and everything changed. I think the key is to experiment. Try things, find the limits, and new creative ideas will come from there.
When and why did you decide to shift Axio.studio from a traditional Houdini-based studio to incorporate AI solutions and Increasing efficiency with AI?
In January 2025!
We had worked on a project in November and December while I was already experimenting with AI.
I remember at the very end, the client asked for palm trees moving in the wind. We tested an AI solution keeping the palm tree render and animated them in Kling, but that broke the color space, making it unusable later in comp. That's why we looked for another solution and found ComfyUI.
With this AI solution we got a perfect result in 20 minutes!
But we weren’t ready to plug AI into the pipeline yet, so integration came with its share of issues. Kling broke the color space, and we ended up receiving an MP4, making Nuke integration unworkable. In the end, we rebuilt the shot in CG, which took the artist two full days.
I think that was the moment we knew things had to shift. We saw clearly that AI would change everything in production and we didn’t want to be late.
Axio. - Upscaling - Enhancing - First Steps with ComfyUI
Adoption and Benefits of AI
What have been the key benefits of integrating AI into your workflow?
Speed and flexibility.
AI helps us test ideas faster, produce variations quickly, and skip repetitive steps. AI produces a lot of iterations, that would be extremely long to do with CGI
It also opens new ways of thinking. Instead of spending hours on technical setups, we can focus on visual choices and storytelling. And in client projects, it helps us react faster without lowering the quality. We can create drafts and prepare concepts faster for the clients.
In your view, what are the most positive aspects of AI for artists? And negative?
The most positive thing is freedom. AI can take care of the boring parts so artists can focus on ideas, style, and storytelling. It helps you try things faster, test looks, and find new directions you wouldn’t have thought of.
The negative side is when people start using it blindly. If you don’t understand your tools, you lose control. And if everyone uses the same models the same way, everything starts to look the same.
AI should support your style, not replace it!
Do you see AI as replacing artists' jobs or redefining creative roles?
I see it as a redefinition. AI will shift how we work, not who creates.
The tools are changing, but creativity still comes from people. Some tasks will disappear, new ones will appear
Tools and Workflows
What were some of your first experiments with ComfyUI, and why did you choose this app?
I started by generating images, but the results were bad at first. ComfyUI is powerful, but everything is open source and very technical. If you don’t know where to start, you get lost fast. Later, a specialist joined us and I passed that part to him. One of our first serious experiments was a virtual try-on system. We built it in ComfyUI and it has become really strong. We’re now using it on real projects.
Comfy assembles modular nodes to create fully customized images. You can control every detail, create your unique style training your own LoRA, add textures, adjust colors, blend styles, etc.
In fact, once the workflow is set up, it reduces repetitive task time by over 70%, you can experiment with more ideas at no extra cost and deliver pro-level results.
With pictures of the clothes and accessories, we can display them on a model. ChatGPT did something similar afterward, but our setup in ComfyUI is production ready. That means we have developed it to a level where we can easily adjust based on client feedback.
Are you building custom workflows? If so, how do they help streamline your process?
Yes, everything we build is designed to match our pipeline and solve the problems we faced in CG. It helps us go faster, stay consistent across shots, and cut down on repetitive tasks.
It also makes collaboration smoother because the team knows exactly how the system works. We're not just using AI, we're shaping it to fit our way of working.
Do you always use ComfyUI in the cloud, or do you mix local and cloud-based setups? Why?
We mix both. We use local setups for R&D, testing, and small tasks because it’s faster and more flexible. For production, we move to the cloud when we need more power or to run multiple processes in parallel.
It depends on the project. The goal is always to stay efficient without blocking the pipeline.
Collaboration and Community
Why is collaboration with GridMarkets important to you?
They’ve supported us since our very first VFX project. When I started sharing tests with AI, they reached out. We quickly realised we had the same vision about the future of the industry.
I believe a new generation of people is coming, people who will redefine how things are done. Being part of that shift from the beginning is exciting. Back then, not many people shared that view, and I got a lot of backlash. That’s why this collaboration matters. We think alike, and we’re building something new together.
Do you have full access to your workflows when working with GridMarkets?
Yes, we have full access. And when something is missing or we run into an issue, their team is
quick to respond.
Their support is amazing. It feels more like a partnership than just using a service.
You presented an explosion demo during the Trigital–GridMarkets session, could you tell us more about that project?
Yes, of course. At Axio our goal is not just to use AI but to innovate and integrate it fully into our pipeline. For this demo we had the idea to start from a simple playblast and use AI to generate a first version of the shot.
It is a tool that will help us a lot in the future by saving time during early production. This explosion test was just the beginning. We are working on more tools like this. Some of them will be revealed soon but for now they are still under wraps.
Vision and Future Plans
Are you focusing solely on AI now, or still combining it with traditional tools?
We are combining both, even when working on AI generative projects. I think we are one of the rare hybrid studios that can truly mix both worlds and take advantage of it. Pre or post-production, retouching in Photoshop, using layout as a base, all these techniques help us redefine how AI is used.
This approach lets us reach a higher level of quality than most AI only studios, because we combine creative control with solid production methods.
What are your plans for the future of Axio.studio?
The plan is to keep creating new ways of working by developing and producing more hybrid advertising projects, while also starting to move into filmmaking. With our background in VFX, both in traditional techniques and in understanding AI, we can definitely help bring AI into the film industry.
Right now, I’m speaking with many executive producers who feel a bit lost. We are in a strange moment, right before a major shift.
One of your recent posts mentioned recruitment. What kind of profiles are you looking for?
I’m currently looking for compositing artists and retouching artists, and I also want to find more talented people who can use ComfyUI at a high level.
Linkedin post: We're hiring at Axio. for upcoming VFX and AI projects
Are there any big projects you’re working on that you can share?
Or should we follow you on LinkedIn or another platform for updates
Yes,
One big project that marks a major shift for us is the video for HUGO BOSS celebrating Khaby Lame’s entrance at the Met Gala in a Porsche. The first AI project, a mix of AI and 2D compositing, using ComfyUI, FluxGym, Midjourney, Photoshop, Kling and Luma.
Find which is real and which AI.
Combining Comfyui, MidJourney, ChatGPT, and FluxGym to produce an incredible shot in some hours to be on time for the MetGala!
Work Environment and Final Thoughts
Are you and your team working remotely?
Yes - everyone works from home; we don't have an office.
What are your next steps: both creatively and as a studio?
My role as a creative is coming to an end. I need to focus on other parts of the studio, and I’ll be leaving the creative direction to our Creative Director and the team. For the studio, the goal is to establish Axio.
as a strong brand and make it known in the industry.
I’m currently working on that by marketing both Axio. and our Creative Director.
Anything else you’d like to share with artists exploring AI today?
We are at the foundation of what the future of this field will look like. Even if it's hard to learn or you're afraid to tell people you're working with AI, take the risk. You’ll discover a new way of working, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Don’t be afraid to team up with others. AI moves fast, and keeping up with all the updates can be challenging if you’re working alone. Collaboration makes a big difference.
And if you believe your talent can contribute to this shift, feel free to contact me.
Contact: Loris Mantello
Meet The Team
Loris Mantello
With 7 years of experience in visual effects, I focus on assembling the right people to ensure smooth project execution. At Axio, I oversee every production stage, ensuring timely, precise, and impactful delivery.
Patrick Crucke
Exploring AI’s potential, I push creativity even further. At Axio, I develop new AI tools to support our team by seamlessly simplifying complex processes and improving efficiency, ensuring Axio remains innovative.
Maoris Creantor
As an On-Set Supervisor for cinema and TV, I deeply understand production challenges. I ensure the client' s vision is always understood and respected at Axio, creating innovative concepts that leave lasting impressions
Axel Blin
I develop technical solutions allowing the team to fully express creativity while maintaining optimal efficiency. At Axio, I address technical challenges and optimize workflows before, during, and after projects.
