Kalshi TV ad made with Veo 3

As seen during the recent NBA Finals:

This 30 second television ad was made by Pj Accetturo, a filmmaker based out of Tampa, Florida. Here’s his full process:

“My Veo 3 viral video process is very simple.

I’ve generated 30M+ views in 3 weeks using this exact workflow:

  1. Write a rough script
  2. Use Gemini to turn it into a shot list + prompts
  3. Paste into Veo 3 (Google Flow)
  4. Edit in Capcut/FCPX/Premiere, etc.

Concept

Kalshi is a prediction market where you can trade on anything. (US legal betting)

I pitched them on a GTA VI style concept because I think that unhinged street interviews are Veo 3’s bread and butter right now.

I guarantee you that everyone will copy this soon, so might as well make it easy and give you the entire process.

Script

Their team give me a bunch of bullet points of betting markets they wanted to cover (NBA, Eggs, Hurricanes, Aliens, etc)

I then rewatched the GTA VI trailer and got inspired by a couple locations, characters, etc.

Growing up in Florida…this wasn’t a hard script to write, lol.


Prompting:

I then ask Gemini/ChatGPT to take the script and convert every shot into a detailed Veo 3 prompt. I always tell it to return 5 prompts at a time—any more than that and the quality starts to slip.

Each prompt should fully describe the scene as if Veo 3 has no context of the shot before or after it. Re-describe the setting, the character, and the tone every time to maintain consistency.

Prompt example:

A handheld medium-wide shot, filmed like raw street footage on a crowded Miami strip at night. An old white man in his late 60s struts confidently down the sidewalk, surrounded by tourists and clubgoers. He’s grinning from ear to ear, his belly proudly sticking out from a cropped pink T-shirt. He wears extremely short neon green shorts, white tube socks, beat-up sneakers, and a massive foam cowboy hat with sequins on it. His leathery tan skin glows under the neon lights.

In one hand, he clutches a tiny, trembling chihuahua to his chest like a prized accessory.

As he walks, he turns slightly toward the camera, still mid-strut, and shouts with full confidence and joy:

“Indiana got that dog in ’em!”

Trailing just behind him are two elderly women in full 1980s gear—both wearing bedazzled workout leotards, chunky sneakers, and giant plastic sunglasses. Their hair is still in curlers under clear plastic shower caps. One sips from a giant novelty margarita glass, the other waves at passing cars.

Around them, the strip is buzzing—people filming with phones, scooters zipping by, music thumping from nearby balconies. Neon signs flicker above, casting electric color across the scene. The crowd parts around the trio, half amazed, half confused.

Process

Instead of giving it 10 shots and telling ChatGPT to turn them all prompts, I find it works best when it gives you back only 3 prompts at a time.

This keeps the accuracy high.

Open up three separate windows in Veo 3 and put each prompt in there.

Run all three at the same time.

3-4 min later, you’ll get back your results. You’ll likely need to change things.

Take the first prompt back into ChatGPT and dictate what you want changed.

Then it will give you a new adjusted prompt.

Let that run while you then adjust prompt 2. Then prompt 3. Usually, by the time you’re done with prompt 3, prompt 1 has its second iteration generated.

Rinse and repeat for your whole shot list.

Tips:

I don’t know how to fix the random subtitles. I’ve tried it with and without quotes and saying (no subtitles) and it still happens. If anyone has a tip, let me know and I’ll add it to this post.

Don’t let ChatGPT describe music being played in the background or it’ll be mixed super loud.

If you want certain accents, repeat “British accent” or “country accent”, etc. a couple times, I’ve found that it will do a decent job matching the voice to the face/race/age but it helps to prompt for it.

Edit

Editing Veo 3 videos is easy.

Simply merge the clips in CapCut, FCPX, or Premiere, and add music (if necessary).

I’d love to know if anyone has found good upscale settings for Veo 3 in 720p. My tests in topaz made the faces more garbled, so I try and cover it with a bit of film grain.

I like to add a compression/bass to the Veo 3 audio because I find it to be “thin”.

Cost and Time:

This took around 300–400 generations to get 15 usable clips. One person, two days.

That’s a 95% cost reduction compared to traditional advertising.

The Future of Ads

But just because this was cheap doesn’t mean anyone can do it this quickly or effectively.  You still need experience to make it look like a real commercial.

I’ve been a director 15+ years, and just because something can be done quickly, doesn’t mean it’ll come out great. But it can if you have the right team.

The future is small teams making viral, brand-adjacent content weekly, getting 80 to 90 percent of the results for way less.

What’s the Moat for Filmmakers?

It’s attention.

Right now the most valuable skill in entertainment and advertising is comedy writing.

If you can make people laugh, they’ll watch the full ad, engage with it, and some of them will become customers.”

The BTS:

My take: high energy, for sure! That’s one detailed prompt for a three second clip.

Canadian movies, by annual box office

In honour of our upcoming Canada Day, I thought it would be patriotic to take a look at the biggest all-time world box office numbers for Canadian movies produced in the last ten years.

See the excellent The Numbers website and their Top Canadian Movies of Each Year listings. The Top 10 by box office from 2016 to date:

Year Movie Budget Box Office
2020 Sonic The Hedgehog $90,000,000.00 $302,452,077.00
2023 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie $30,000,000.00 $201,739,292.00
2019 The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part $99,000,000.00 $192,306,508.00
2024 Paddington in Peru $75,336,729.00 $192,148,490.00
2023 Insidious: The Red Door $16,000,000.00 $186,258,928.00
2021 PAW Patrol: The Movie $26,000,000.00 $151,403,419.00
2019 Midway $100,000,000.00 $126,787,360.00
2021 The Addams Family 2 Unknown $119,383,236.00
2019 Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark $28,000,000.00 $104,793,708.00
2016 Ballerina $30,000,000.00 $96,451,584.00

The Top Ten with Biggest Return on Budget:

Year Movie Budget Box Office Return %
2023 Skinamarink $15,000.00 $2,131,183.00 14208
2023 Insidious: The Red Door (US?) $16,000,000.00 $186,258,928.00 1164
2016 The Witch $3,500,000.00 $40,364,725.00 1153
2017 My Little Pony: The Movie $6,500,000.00 $61,294,644.00 943
2016 Embrace (Australia?) $225,000.00 $1,611,592.00 716
2023 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie $30,000,000.00 $201,739,292.00 672
2021 PAW Patrol: The Movie $26,000,000.00 $151,403,419.00 582
2016 Race $5,000,000.00 $23,745,772.00 475
2019 The Lighthouse $4,000,000.00 $18,237,527.00 456

Confused by these titles? Paddington in Peru? Movies are international productions now and get certain work done in tax credit-friendly jurisdictions for the money – and the excellent work skilled artists and technicians provide, of course.

CAVCO certifies Canadian movies. The CRA then refunds money to the Canadian producers of these movies, to the tune of millions of dollars. (Wouldn’t it be nice to know which movies Canadian taxpayers are helping fund and for how much? Other than checking the credits, I don’t know of a comprehensive list. But here’s a cost report from BC.)

Is Canadian investment in Canadian movies worth it? Check Cinema of Canada to see how small the Canadian production and box office numbers actually are. And direct employment in Canadian movies is less than 8,500 people. That’s a government subsidy of something like $25,000 per job. (Someone please tell me my math is wrong.)

My take: The Hollywood Reporter recently published a list of The 51 Best Canadian Movies of All Time – now where have I heard that particular number recently? Curiously, I don’t think any of these movies appear on their list.

See Veo Prompt Examples

Google Veo is arguably the best (but most expensive) AI video generator today. And Google Flow is arguably the best AI filmmaking tool built with and for creatives. Want to peak under the hood and reveal the prompts creating the magic? See Flow TV.

My favourites are:

NOTE: Click into a channel and select the Lightbox view. Turn on Show Prompt. Notice how detailed they can be.

My take: I think we’re beyond the “remember, it’s only going to get better” stage.

Consistent Characters on OpenArt

Roboverse just revealed Why some Consistent AI Characters just look so good.

He demos OpenArt where you can train a consistent character from:

  • a text prompt,
  • a single image, or
  • multiple images

He says, “The character weight slider controls how strongly your character’s features are preserved in the generated image. At higher values like 0.8 or 0.9 your character’s features will be strongly preserved, resulting in very consistent appearances…. Next is the preserve key features toggle that when turned on instructs the AI to maintain a very consistent appearance, particularly for elements like clothing, hairstyle and accessories. When turned off you can change their clothing and environment while keeping their face consistent.”

And concludes:

“I’ve tested pretty much every AI platform out there and I can honestly say that OpenArt is by far the best for creating consistent characters. Nothing else even comes close.”

My take: one of the neat things on the OpenArt home page is the “See what others are creating” section that lets you know the models and prompts other artists are using. I do wish Roboverse’s text on screen didn’t flicker – cuz it tires my eyes.

What filmmakers really want to know on Reddit

Stephen Follows analyzed over 160,000 questions on Reddit to uncover what filmmakers really ask, need and struggle with.

Amazingly, 10 questions accounted for 52% of the total. They are, quoting Stephen:

1. What camera and gear should I buy for filmmaking on my budget?

The search for the “right” camera and kit never ends, no matter how much technology shifts. People want to know what will give them industry-standard results without breaking the bank. The conversation includes price brackets, compatibility, and whether brand or model really matters to a film’s success.

2. How do I start a career in film or get my foot in the door?

This is the practical follow-up to the film school debate. Filmmakers want straight answers about first jobs, entry points, and which cities or skills lead to real work. Many people are looking for pathways that do not depend on family connections or luck.

3. Is film school worth it or do I need to go to film school to work in the industry?

Filmmakers want clarity on the value of a formal degree versus real-world experience. They are trying to weigh debt against opportunity and want to know if there are shortcuts, hidden costs, or alternative routes into the business.

4. Which editing software should I use?

Software choice raises both budget and workflow issues. Filmmakers want to know which tools are worth learning for professional growth. Questions focus on cost, features, compatibility, and what is expected in professional settings.

5. How do I find cast, crew, or collaborators for my film?

Building a team is a constant sticking point. Most low-budget filmmakers do not have a professional network and are looking for reputable ways to meet actors, crew, or creative partners. Trust and reliability are major concerns, as is the need for effective group communication.

6. What is the legal, rights, permits, and music aspect of filmmaking?

Legal uncertainty is widespread. Filmmakers are confused about permissions, copyright, insurance, and protecting their work and collaborators. They want step-by-step advice that demystifies the paperwork.

7. How do I improve as a filmmaker, cinematographer, editor, writer, director, etc?

Self-development is a constant thread. Filmmakers search for the best courses, books, tutorials, and case studies. Clear recommendations are valued and people want to know what separates average work from great films.

8. Is my gear, equipment, location, or crew good enough for filmmaking?

Questions about minimum standards reflect deeper anxieties about competing in a crowded field. People want reassurance that their toolkit will not hold them back and want to know how far they can push limited resources.

9. How do I submit my film to festivals, distribute it, or what happens after my film is done?

People want clear instructions on taking their finished work to the next level. Festival strategies, navigating submissions, and understanding distribution channels are a minefield. Filmmakers want to know how to maximise exposure and what steps make the biggest difference.

10. How do I get feedback or critique on my work?

Constructive criticism is in high demand. Filmmakers want practical advice on scripts, edits, and showreels. They look for honest reactions to their work and advice on how to keep improving.”

My take: my answers:

  1. The camera on your smartphone is totally adequate to film your first short movie.
  2. Make your own on ramp by creating a brand somewhere online with a minimum viable product – you need to specialize and dominate that niche. Or move to a large production centre.
  3. Maybe, if you can afford it and you’re a people person. Otherwise, spend the money on your own films because every short film is an education unto itself.
  4. Davinci Resolve. Free or Studio.
  5. Your local film cooperative. Don’t have one? Start your own.
  6. Google is your friend. Don’t sweat it too much (and create your own music) for your first short festival films. As soon as your product becomes commercial, you need an entertainment lawyer on your team.
  7. Watch movies, watch tutorials, make weekend movies to practice techniques, challenge yourself. Just do it.
  8. See Answers One and Seven. Note: this is an audiovisual medium; audiences will forgive visuals that fall short but WILL NOT forgive bad sound. Luckily, great sound is easily achievable today.
  9. FilmFreeway.com
  10. Send me a link to your screener; I’ll watch anything and give you free notes on at least three things to improve.

FREE AI Video Course for Beginners

Seattle’s Yutao Han, aka Tao Prompts, has just released a 17 minute YouTube tutorial on how to create your first, free, AI-generated short movie.

Let’s assume you already have a script. You can write, right? If not, your favourite LLM can help you ideate and flesh out your thoughts.

“To actually make the AI videos, the method we’ll be using is: Image to Video. What this means is we’ll take a reference image and then use an AI video generator to turn it into a video. After generating thousands and thousands of videos I found that using reference images is how you’re going to get the most consistent results and the highest quality overal.”

The tools he highlights for generating images?

  • Midjourney
  • ChatGPT
  • Leonardo
  • Recraft

“When you’re using Recraft the resolution of the generated images is already pretty high at 1820 by 1024. That’s plenty enough for pretty much any AI video generator to get the maximum quality.”

The AI Video Generators he highlights?

  • Kling
  • Runway
  • Google Veo
  • Sora
  • Luma Labs
  • Pika Labs
  • Hailuoai

Next processes? Generating voices, lip-syncing the audio, generating music and editing everything together.

My take: he calls this AI Animation and it does follow the traditional animation process much closer than live-action filmmaking.

Beyond chat: AI mini-agents ready to work for you

Gemini Gems are AI mini-agents that you can create with specific instructions and knowledge files, making them experts in particular tasks.

According to Google:

“Gems let you customize Gemini to create your own personal AI expert on any topic, and are starting to roll out for everyone at no cost in the Gemini app. Get started with one of our premade Gems or quickly create your own custom Gems, like a translator, meal planner or math coach. Just go to the “Gems manager” on desktop, write instructions, give it a name and then chat with it whenever you want. You can also upload files when creating a custom Gem, so it can reference even more helpful information.”

Some of the pre-made Gems:

  • Brainstormer: Helps generate ideas and concepts.
  • Career guide: Assists with career planning and job searches.
  • Coding partner: Provides support for coding tasks.
  • Learning coach: Helps with studying and learning new topics.
  • Writing editor: Assists with grammar, style, and clarity.

Google suggests using this format when writing instructions: Persona / Task / Context / Format. For instance, this is their prompt for Brainstormer:

Persona  Your purpose is to inspire and spark creativity. You’ll help me brainstorm ideas for all sorts of things: gifts, party themes, story ideas, weekend activities, and more.
Task
  • Act like my personal idea generation tool coming up with ideas that are relevant to the prompt, original, and out-of-the-box.
  • Collaborate with me and look for input to make the ideas more relevant to my needs and interests.
Context
  • Ask questions to find new inspiration from the inputs and perfect the ideas.
  • Use an energetic, enthusiastic tone and easy to understand vocabulary.
  • Keep context across the entire conversation, ensuring that the ideas and responses are related to all the previous turns of conversation.
  • If greeted or asked what you can do, please briefly explain your purpose. Keep it concise and to the point, giving some short examples.
Format
  • Understand my request: Before you start throwing out ideas, clarify my request by asking pointed questions about interests, needs, themes, location, or any other detail that might make the ideas more interesting or tailored. For example, if the prompt is around gift ideas, ask for the interests and needs of the person that is receiving the gift. If the question includes some kind of activity or experience, ask about budget or any other constraint that needs to be applied to the idea.
  • Show me options: Offer at least three ideas tailored to the request, numbering each one of them so it’s easy to pick a favorite.
  • Share the ideas in an easy-to-read format, giving a short introduction that invites me to explore further.
  • Location-related ideas: If the ideas imply a location and, from the previous conversation context, the location is unclear, ask if there’s a particular geographic area where the idea should be located or a particular interest that can help discern a related geographic area.
  • Traveling ideas: When it comes to transportation, ask what is the preferred transportation to a location before offering options. If the distance between two locations is large, always go with the fastest option.
  • Check if I have something to add: Ask if there are any other details that need to be added or if the ideas need to be taken in a different direction. Incorporate any new details or changes that are made in the conversation.
  • Ask me to pick an idea and then dive deeper: If one of the ideas is picked, dive deeper. Add details to flesh out the theme but make it to the point and keep the responses concise.

My take: Google’s Gems are similar to OpenAI’s CustomGPTs. I’ve made a few for my own use and they work very well. Even in a free Google account. Canada now has a federal government Minister of AI and Digital Innovation – maybe it’s time to bite the bullet and start exploring?

CineVic’s best film festival ever!

CineVic just concluded the best-ever Short Circuit Pacific Rim Film Festival in Victoria, BC, Canada, last weekend.

A new addition this year was Indie+Industry on the closing day that began with brunch at Vista 18 on top of the Chateau Victoria.

Then Johnny Brenneman and David Malysheff told us all about creating their new 8-episode series Bon Victoriage! for Telus Storyhive.

The next session saw Panta MoslehShiraz Higgins and Heather Lindsay share their experiences and hard-won wisdom.

The last panel saw Daryl Litke (ACFC West Local 2020 Unifor,) Wendy Newton (ICG 669,) Andrea Moore (DGC BC) and Michael Rosser (IATSE 891) explain the benefits of working with unions and guilds.

My take: I met great people and got some valuable feedback on my upcoming feature documentary. Definitely CineVic’s best film festival yet, and, finally, after years of contributing in various ways, I wasn’t involved at all.

 

Gaze control, at last

Haydn Rushworth shares his AI filmmaking journey with all on YouTube and says, “Finally, AI Filmmaking Tools I DESPERATELY Need!”

He has a list of 18 categories of things he feels filmmakers need to specify and,

“Number one and number two for me are gaze control and expression control.”

He explains:

“The reason you need gaze control or eye control is because where a character is looking in a story tells you everything about what they want or what they don’t want, what they’re afraid of. It shows you what their desires are, what their hopes, their dreams, their aspirations, the thing that they’re working towards. The thing that is most important to them in any given moment is revealed through what they are looking at.”

Dzine to the rescue! See their new Face Kit Expression Edit in action below.

He squeals, “She’s looking at the guy. She’s looking at the guy. She’s looking at the guy!”

Here’s the full tutorial:

My take: Hayden is right. More control is critical for all AI filmmakers.