Creating our Feature Film "Brother Jonathan and the Dragon's Teeth" With AI
What does “AI filmmaking” actually look like?
There’s a misconception that filmmakers type a few words into an AI generator, push a button, and out comes a finished movie. So over the next few weeks, we’re going to pull back the curtain on Brother Jonathan and the Dragon’s Teeth and show you what actually goes into creating a scene.
Below is one of our production prompts for a roughly 20-second sequence. Every character choice, performance beat, camera move, location detail, line of dialogue, sound cue and moment of timing begins with the screenplay and is then deliberately translated into instructions for the AI.
AI is a tool in our filmmaking process. It isn’t the filmmaker.
Here’s a look behind the scenes at Circle B Productions. The actual prompt used to create this clip will fllow in a second post.
20-Second Video Prompt
Use the provided reference image as the exact visual starting frame and maintain strict character consistency for Rain Elkskin and the museum volunteer. Present day, interior of the Del Norte County Historical Society Museum, on the narrow staircase surrounded by historic black-and-white photographs of the devastating 1964 Crescent City tsunami. Cinematic documentary realism, natural museum lighting, subtle handheld camera movement, realistic performances.
Rain stands quietly studying the tsunami photographs. She has been communicating telepathically with an unseen male spirit, but suddenly the voice disappears.
RAIN ELKSKIN (V.O.)
“You still there or did you leave without hanging up?”
Rain waits and listens, mildly amused but puzzled.
UNKNOWN MALE VOICE (V.O.)
“Sorry! It’s just been a long time since your kind visited us.”
Rain continues looking at the photographs.
RAIN ELKSKIN (V.O.)
“Not trying to be rude, but only love and light are welcomed... still there?”
Behind Rain, the middle-aged museum volunteer quietly enters the staircase. She hears Rain apparently talking to herself and stops dead in her tracks. Her expression changes from curiosity to confusion. She cautiously takes one tentative step toward Rain.
Rain does not know the volunteer is behind her.
UNKNOWN MALE VOICE (V.O.)
“You have a visitor.”
Rain assumes the unseen spirit is teasing her.
RAIN ELKSKIN
“Do you want to talk or play games?”
The volunteer freezes, believing Rain has just spoken directly to her.
MUSEUM VOLUNTEER
“I’m sorry... I just wanted to help.”
Rain's expression instantly changes.
She rapidly turns around and discovers the nervous volunteer standing directly behind her.
A beat of awkward silence.
Then a deep, low, guttural male chuckle reverberates softly through the museum.
Rain realizes the unseen man deliberately allowed the misunderstanding to happen. She gives a restrained, irritated very funny expression while the volunteer remains completely bewildered.
CAMERA: Begin medium-close on Rain. Slowly move laterally so the volunteer becomes visible entering deep in the background while Rain remains unaware. Rack focus briefly to the volunteer as she stops. Return focus to Rain for “Do you want to talk or play games?” On the volunteer's response, Rain snaps around. Finish with a close reaction shot of Rain as the mysterious man chuckles.
PERFORMANCE: Keep the comedy subtle and completely natural. Rain is confident and accustomed to spirits, not frightened. The volunteer is timid and genuinely trying to be helpful, never comedic or caricatured. The unknown male voice is mature, commanding and intelligent, but his final chuckle reveals an unexpected mischievous streak.
IMPORTANT: The unknown male spirit is NEVER SEEN. No ghost, apparition, shadow, silhouette, reflection, mist, glowing figure or supernatural visual effect. His existence is conveyed entirely through his voice.
AUDIO: Dialogue, quiet museum room tone, faint footsteps and subtle wooden stair creaks. No music. No horror effects. Make the final male chuckle low, resonant, warm and genuinely amused.
DURATION: 20 seconds.
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