Category Archives: Behind the Scenes

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May 15, 2025

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Behind the Scenes, Filmmaking

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A Journey Through AI and Reality – Helping Tweens Discern the Difference

As a tech-savvy person, I started exploring AI several years before most people knew it had entered our world. Maybe it was my appreciation for sci-fi that drove my play, or even my time writing computer programs back in the day, but in reality, it was my concern for a group of tweens I met who weren’t sure if they should engage or avoid AI.

Over the past few months, I’ve chatted with middle schoolers about their hopes and fears surrounding AI. As someone passionate about storytelling, I wanted to channel what I learned into a project that could both engage and empower them. That’s where my short film AI KNOWS comes in.

As I listened to tweens share their thoughts, I was struck by their mix of excitement and apprehension. Many of them see AI as an exciting tool—something that can make their lives easier, help them with homework, or even create fun videos. But there’s also an underlying fear of the unknown.

What does AI mean for their futures? Will it take away their future jobs? Will it even understand their creativity or emotion?

The AI Dilemma for the Next Generation

In AI KNOWS, Davis, the young shuttle pilot, faces a critical decision: Does he trust the AI, or does he listen to the wisdom of Jet, an older, more experienced aviation mechanic? This dilemma isn’t just fictional—it’s the same dilemma that today’s tweens face when they come across fake images, deepfake videos, or voice recordings that sound real but aren’t. Just like Davis learns, AI can’t always be trusted to make the right call.

Through AI KNOWS, I wanted to provide families with a tool to help them facilitate a meaningful conversation. I firmly believe that how we face AI and determine our use of this tool must be defined in the family, not in schools or the government. Once common ground is developed within our families, the schools and government should support the family’s decisions.

To that end, I wanted families to explore Davis’ journey from blindly trusting AI to realizing it’s not infallible. This evolution is something every family can reflect on as they navigate their own relationship with technology. I hope this film serves as a jumping-off point for parents and tweens to discuss how to approach AI with discernment in their daily lives.

So, how can teens discern the real from the fake in an AI-driven world? Here are three steps to help navigate this new reality:

1. Question the Source
Every piece of information or media comes from a source. Tweens should be taught to check who created the content and whether that source is trustworthy. Is it from a verified news outlet? Is it a brand or influencer they recognize? In AI KNOWS, Davis’ blind faith in AI prevents him from questioning the source of the information he’s receiving. Just like in the real world, AI may not always provide the full truth—sometimes even creating “hallucinations,” or false information that wasn’t intended. Tweens should be encouraged to ask, “Who’s behind this?” and whether the source is verified and reliable.

2. Use Technology to Verify
In the world of AI KNOWS, Davis learns that technology can also be used to find the truth. Just as AI can create fake content, there are tools that can help reveal it. Encourage tweens to use tools like reverse image search engines, apps to detect deepfakes, or software to analyze videos and images for inconsistencies. In the same way that Davis uses his resources to verify the AI’s integrity, kids should learn to use technology to verify what they encounter online.

3. Understand the Consequences of Fake Content
Fake content can have serious consequences. Tweens must know that misleading or altered content spreads quickly and can damage reputations, distort events, or worse, cause harm. By teaching them about the ripple effects of fake content, they can better understand the weight of their responsibility when sharing information. Like Davis realizes that his blind trust in AI led to a dangerous situation, tweens need to understand that sharing fake content can hurt people and impact society.

A Family Conversation Starter

As AI KNOWS moves from storyboard to screen, I’m excited about its potential as a tool to help families start conversations. How can we, as adults, help our kids understand that while AI can be a powerful tool, it’s essential to approach it with a discerning eye? How can we teach them the value of questioning, verifying, and understanding the consequences of what they share online?

The ultimate goal isn’t just to raise awareness about AI’s limitations, but to teach kids that AI is only a tool. Wisdom, on the other hand, is something that can be cherished, something that endures, and something that will stand the test of time. While AI can assist and enhance our lives, it cannot replace the timeless value of human experience and judgment.

I hope that AI KNOWS isn’t just a movie. I hope it’s a gateway for families to discuss what it means to navigate a world increasingly dominated by AI. It’s not about scaring our kids; it’s about equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in a digital world. By using the film as a discussion starter, families can explore the importance of being critical of the tools we use and understand how AI fits into the broader context of communication, creativity, and human wisdom.

Kids need to understand that while AI can be incredibly helpful, true guidance is provided by the wisdom passed down through generations of families. This understanding empowers them to use AI responsibly while still holding on to the wisdom that shapes their decisions, actions, and values.

Copyright © 2025 by CJ Powers

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June 19, 2023

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Behind the Scenes, Interviews

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5 Strategies to Simplifying Video for Social Media

Attention spans are short, and scrolling through social media feeds has become a daily routine. This cultural phenomenon makes capturing and maintaining our audience’s attention crucial.

Video messages are a powerful tool for communication on social media platforms, but to make an impact, they need to be concise, clear, and engaging. There are five effective strategies for simplifying video messages to communicate your message to your target audience effectively.

Craft a Clear and Compelling Message

The first step is to define a clear and compelling message in your visual voice. Identify the core objective of your video. What do you want your audience to take away from it? Once you have a clear goal, distill your message into a concise statement or key points. Avoid excessive jargon or complex explanations that might confuse or disengage viewers.

Consider using a storytelling approach to communicate your message effectively. Narratives with a beginning, middle, and end are compelling and can captivate your audience. Structure your video in a way that hooks viewers from the start, keeps them engaged throughout, and concludes with a memorable ending.

Keep it Short and Sweet (KISS)

Attention spans on social media are notoriously short, so keep your video message concise. Aim for videos that are at most two minutes in length. Grab your viewers’ attention within the first four seconds and maintain their interest throughout. Be mindful of the pacing, avoiding unnecessary repetitions or rabbit trails that could cause your audience to lose interest.

One effective way to simplify your video message is to focus on a single key idea or takeaway. Resist the temptation to overload your video with too much information. Instead, break complex topics into smaller, digestible chunks and create separate videos if needed. Remember, brevity is key to maximizing engagement on social media platforms.

Use Visuals and Graphics

Visual aids and graphics can significantly enhance the simplicity and impact of your video message. Support your narrative by illustrating key points with relevant visuals, such as images, charts, or infographics. Visual elements like storyboards can be fun and make information easier to remember.

When using graphics, choose clean and uncluttered designs that align with your brand identity and the overall tone of your video. Avoid overwhelming viewers with too much stimulation or information. Instead, focus on conveying the most crucial information visually.

Optimize for Mobile Viewing

Smartphones make up about 70% of internet traffic, so optimize your video message for mobile viewing. Ensure that your video is compatible with various screen sizes and orientations. Also, many viewers watch videos with the sound off, so consider using subtitles or captions.

Video load time is a critical consideration since most viewers won’t wait for your video to load. There is little loyalty when it comes to impatient wait times. Most individuals are likely to click on a faster-loading video from your competitor.

Compressing your video file size without compromising quality can help improve loading times. Prioritize high-quality visuals while keeping the file size as small as possible.

Call-to-Action and Follow-up

To maximize the video’s impact, conclude with a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA). What action do you want your viewers to take after watching the video? Whether it’s visiting your website, subscribing to your channel, or sharing the video with others, make it explicit and easy to follow.

Often the CTA drives engagement in the comments section or direct messages. Respond promptly to questions, comments, and feedback to fuel engagement and foster a sense of community. Actively participate in the conversation surrounding your video message to help build trust and credibility with your audience.

Simplify Your Video Message

Simplifying video messages for social media is essential to communicate with your target audience. By crafting a clear and compelling message, keeping your videos short and engaging, incorporating visual aids and graphics, optimizing for mobile viewing, and including a strong call-to-action, you can create impactful video content that resonates with viewers.

Remember, simplicity is key to capturing your audience’s attention, making a memorable impression, driving engagement, and increasing brand awareness. All of which help you achieve your communication goals.

Copyright © 2023 by CJ Powers

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June 7, 2023

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Behind the Scenes

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The Power of Color in Film

Film is an artistic medium that relies on visual storytelling. From the vibrant palettes of Wes Anderson’s films to the stark contrast in Christopher Nolan’s works, color plays a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and evoking emotions in the audience.

Cinematographers are the visual architects of these stories, harnessing the power of color to enhance themes, moods, and character development. The following categories of color skills empower the artist to convey emotional messages.

Setting the Tone

The use of color in film begins before the first frame is shot. Production designers work alongside cinematographers to create cohesive visual palettes that align with the director’s vision. The selection of colors for the film’s sets, props, and costumes lays the foundation for the overall mood and atmosphere.

Warm hues like reds and oranges often create a sense of intimacy and warmth, while cool blues and greens evoke a feeling of detachment or melancholy. These choices set the stage for the cinematographer to further craft the story through lighting and composition.

Symbolism and Themes

Color symbolism can be a powerful tool in adding layers of meaning to a film. Directors and cinematographers often employ specific colors to represent ideas or concepts.

The use of red in Martin Scorsese’s The Departed signifies danger, passion, and betrayal. By strategically incorporating that color into key scenes and costumes, the filmmakers reinforce these thematic elements, allowing the audience to interpret the symbolism and connect with the story on a deeper level.

Character Development

Colors can also be used to define and shape characters. A character’s wardrobe choices can speak volumes about their personality, emotions, or journey throughout the film. Cinematographers use color to create visual character arcs, subtly guiding the audience’s perception and understanding of the individuals on screen.

In The Great Gatsby, the sets and costumes worn by the flamboyant Jay Gatsby reflect his extravagant and larger-than-life persona.

Creating Emotional Impact

One of the most significant powers of color in film is its ability to evoke strong emotions. The careful manipulation of color palettes can heighten suspense, enhance drama, or evoke nostalgia. Filmmakers often use color to amplify the intended effect of a scene and use contrasting colors to create visual tension.

The iconic red coat in Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List stands out in the otherwise desaturated palette, symbolizing the loss of innocence and the brutality of war.

Transition and Time

Color can also be used to mark transitions and the passage of time within a film. Directors may choose to alter the color grading or saturation to create visual cues that signal changes in the narrative or the characters’ development.

In The Wizard of Oz, the shift from black and white to vibrant Technicolor when Dorothy arrives in the Land of Oz marks a transition from the ordinary to the fantastical, further immersing the audience in the story.

The power of color in film is undeniable. Cinematographers carefully craft each frame, choosing colors that convey meaning, emotions, and atmosphere. From establishing the tone of a film to shaping characters, color plays a vital role in storytelling. Through symbolism, character development, emotional impact, and visual transitions, cinematographers skillfully wield color to enhance the audience’s cinematic experience.

Copyright © 2023 by CJ Powers