Writing
I brainstormed and authored all written content myself, only employing AI as a fine-polish editor.
Storyboards
I created the storyboard sketches using Google Gemini, Photoshop, and drawing skills I acquired as an industrial designer.
Audio
I generated the audio rough cuts using Google AI Studio.
Photos
Photos came from stock sources, my cameras, and generative AI prompts (in Google Gemini and Photoshop).
Graphic Designs
I created the designs using Photoshop, Illustrator, and skills I developed in art school. I made the "Our Country, Our Songs" guitar pick using Google Gemini. A motion designer helped me create the Philz Coffee animation.
Website
I created this responsive website using Google Sites.
I first experimented with AI in 2023. I asked ChatGPT to write a 100-word short story (after I described a fictional character, his motivations, and a setting). The first result wasn't great, so I continued prompting. Fifteen minutes later, it generated a surprisingly good story.
I spent the next few months depressed.
Why? I had invested 15 years of my life building writing skills. I still had three novels in rewrites. I had organized and led writing groups to help other writers improve their craft. And now, AI was about to crash through everything, like the sunglass-wearing cyborg in The Terminator. Soon, I thought, anyone would be able to write like Hemingway. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Now, a couple years later, I'm still doing my own writing. But I lean on AI for research, summarization, logic checks, and surgical edits. I also use AI to generate visuals and designs I can't efficiently create myself. I am aware I could lose every skill I routinely ask AI to do, so I'm careful what I ask for. I guess I'm drinking the Kool-Aid one sip at a time.