A few months ago, when we first brainstormed this concept, we did what any responsible team would do - we got quotes from production companies. The numbers were sobering:

• Budget: $20,000+ for a 60-second video
• Timeline: 3-4 weeks from concept to final cut
• Team: Director, cinematographer, actors, location scout, editor, sound engineer
• Equipment: Professional cameras, lighting rigs, audio equipment
• Logistics: Location permits, catering, insurance, the works

It was a substantial investment for what was essentially an inside joke about AI development tools. So we shelved it.

Fast forward to today, and the landscape has completely shifted. Armed with nothing but AI video generation tools, a decent script, and an unhealthy amount of curiosity, we decided to resurrect the project.

Final cost: Roughly $200 in AI credits and our time.

The irony wasn't lost on us - we were using AI to create content that satirizes over-reliance on AI. But that's exactly what made it perfect. The script needed to feel authentic to the developer experience while maintaining the dramatic gravitas of a public service announcement.

When we first experimented with AI video generation months ago, the results were... let's say "charmingly amateur." Fast-paced technological evolution means that what seemed impossible in late 2024 became routine by mid 2025.

The final product genuinely looks like it could have been shot with traditional methods. The lip-sync is solid, the character consistency holds up across cuts, and the basketball court setting feels authentic throughout. Most importantly, it captures the exact tone we were aiming for - that perfect blend of absurdity and genuine pathos that makes the best satirical content work.

If you're interested in exploring AI video generation for your own projects, we're happy to share our complete process. From scriptwriting techniques to prompt engineering strategies to post-production workflows - the entire blueprint that took us from concept to finished PSA.

Drop us a line if you'd like early access to the complete breakdown, including all our prompts, post-production techniques, and lessons learned from creating narrative content with AI.

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