Judeslist

In this episode I speak with Mark Wachholz, a Berlin-based screenwriter and AI filmmaker. Mark shares his journey from being rejected by traditional film schools to spending over two decades writing novels, games, and scripts waiting for the moment when the kinds of films he wanted to make would finally be possible. For him, AI was the doorway that arrived 20 years later.

We talk about his award-winning short film The Cinema That Never Was, why he sees AI not as a tool but as a creative collaborator, and what remains uniquely human when “anything becomes possible.” 

Key Themes We Explore

• Taste and curation in a world where “anything is possible”
• Letting go of perfection as AI tools rapidly evolve
• Why creative restraint matters more than capability
• Scaling from solo AI filmmaker to larger collaborative projects
• The emotional tension between control and surrender in creative work

Key Takeaways

• Possibility is expanding faster than our decision-making frameworks
• Creativity is less about ownership and more about resonance
• Taste becomes the differentiator when tools become accessible
• AI reveals how much discipline storytelling requires

You can connect with Mark at https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwachholz/

In this episode, I speak with Wuraola Oyewusi, whose journey spans pharmacy, AI research, and digital education but what makes her work distinct is how she translates complex AI concepts into the Yoruba language, making emerging technologies accessible to audiences often excluded from digital dialogue.

We explore curiosity as a discipline, mastery as a responsibility, and why languages that are not represented digitally risk what she calls a “digital death”.

Key Themes We Explore

• Why curiosity and mastery are non-negotiable in any field 
• Teaching AI in Yoruba and why clarity is an act of respect
• The difference between using AI tools and building AI systems
• How owning a piece of internet real estate can change your life
• Why fundamentals matter more than shortcuts in the AI economy

Key Takeaway

Whatever your craft is, you owe it to yourself to understand it deeply.

This audio comes from the first conversation I ever recorded for Judeslist.

It was never published.

In 2020, I read something I had written about my mother, about her strength, her faith, and the way she carried our family. After listening quietly, she asked a question that stayed with me:

“How did you remember all these things?”

At the time, I didn’t realize that question would shape how I think about conversation, memory, and documentation.

This clip is shared as an archive, an intentional record of a voice, a pause, and a moment that mattered.

(Recorded in December 2020. My mother passed away in October 2024.)

In this episode of Judeslist, I speak with PJ Way, founder of Prometheus Productions & AI Film 3. We talk about how AI is reshaping filmmaking by expanding who gets to create and who gets to be seen and heard.

PJ shares the origin story of AI Film 3, which began as a small experiment and grew into a platform supporting independent filmmakers working at the intersection of AI, storytelling, and community. We talk about why emotional response matters more than the tools used, how AI can empower people who struggle to express themselves, and what it really takes to build a creative platform in a fast-changing industry.

Key Themes We Explore

• How AI can democratize access to creative expression
• The founding and growth of Film 3
• Emotional storytelling as a creative north star
• Balancing access and quality in open creative platforms
• The hidden costs of building and sustaining creative communities
• Navigating ethics, and responsibility in AI-driven media
• Why consumer experience matters more than the technology itself

Key Takeaways

• Community support is essential for independent filmmakers
• Storytelling succeeds when it prioritizes human connection
• Access to tools must be paired with intention and care
• Sustainable creative platforms are built on trust not just hype

You can connect with PJ at https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjway/

In this episode, I speak with Kelly Boesch, an AI artist whose work blends technology, emotion, fashion, music, and color into a deeply human creative practice.

Kelly shares how her background in fine art and film shaped her approach to AI, why emotional connection matters more than technical perfection, and how personalization codes help define a truly unique artistic voice. We talk candidly about navigating criticism, managing feedback online, and staying grounded while building a global community around digital art.

Our conversation explores how AI has transformed Kelly’s creative workflow from image creation to animation and songwriting.

Key Themes We Explore

• Why AI art still requires emotional connection and human intention
• How personalization and experimentation shape an artist’s unique style
• Navigating criticism and feedback in public creative spaces
• How different platforms shape audience engagement
• Building community in a global, digital creative ecosystem
• How AI is reshaping creative workflows without erasing artistry

Key Takeaways

• AI expands creative possibility, but emotion gives art its meaning
• Developing a unique style takes time, patience, and experimentation
• Feedback is inevitable focusing on positivity is a creative survival skill
• Personalization is what separates artists in the age of AI

🔗 Find Kelly’s work: https://www.kellyboesch.com/

In this episode, I speak with Jan-Willem Blom an AI filmmaker and creative director whose work sits at the intersection of classic storytelling, world-building and emerging AI tools.

Jan traces his creative origin story back to a video store in the Netherlands hours spent studying VHS covers. That early obsession with imagery, myth and struggle later became the foundation for how he approaches AI filmmaking today.

Jan argues that AI makes images faster, but stories still take time. We explore why struggle is the core of storytelling, how world-building is a way of seeing rather than a scale problem and why creators must intentionally preserve friction in their process.

Jan also breaks down his practical frameworks for:

• Developing stories through “what if” questions
• Testing ideas through teasers instead of full productions
• Building visual identity through posters, symbols, and tone

Key Themes We Explore

• Why “storytelling” is really struggle-telling
• Characters, world-building, and struggle as inseparable pillars
• How classic films taught us systems thinking through story
• Using AI to refine judgment, not replace it
• Why speed without intention creates noise
• The importance of creative anchors and long-term obsessions

Key Takeaways

• World-building happens at every scale, from a bus to a galaxy
• Great stories require time, friction, and reflection
• Tools should serve story not the other way around

🔗 Find Jan’s work: https://videostate.nl/ 

In this episode, I speak with Michaela, an Emmy and Peabody-nominated director who shares her journey through animation, virtual reality, and generative AI. We discuss the evolution of storytelling in the digital age, the importance of authenticity, and the challenges faced by creatives in a rapidly changing industry. Michaela also shares insights into her last project, Echoes of Legend, and offers valuable advice for aspiring filmmakers navigating the complexities of the creative economy.

We dig into where AI truly adds value in the creative process, where it creates tension, and why authenticity, emotional intelligence, and disciplined execution matter more than ever for emerging and established creators alike.

Key Themes We Explore

• How generative AI is changing filmmaking and creative workflows
• The three lenses for using AI: enhancement, automation, and replacement
• Why authenticity is a competitive advantage in the age of AI
• The growing pressure on entry-level roles in the creative industry
• Why hard work and emotional intelligence still outperform shortcuts
• The role of networking and platforms like LinkedIn in building momentum

Key Takeaways

• AI should expand creative capacity, not erase creative responsibility
• Filmmakers must be intentional about how and why they use AI tools

You can connect with Michaela at https://michaelaternaskyholland.com/ 

In this conversation, Sandy Carter discusses her book 'AI First, Human Always' and explores the intersection of AI and human creativity. She emphasizes the importance of measuring AI success, the role of data quality, and the need for ethical considerations in AI deployment. Sandy also highlights the significance of engaging with AI tools, the evolving job market, and the future of data ownership, advocating for a proactive approach to AI adoption in business.

Takeaways

• AI has been around for a long time, but interest is renewed.
• Human creativity is essential for successful AI implementation.
• Metrics for AI success depend on the specific use case.
• AI can be a thought partner, not just a tool.
• Judgment should not be fully deferred to AI.
• Executives should not delegate critical decision-making to AI.
• Digital twins represent a significant advancement in technology.
• Starting with successful workflows is key to AI integration.
• Data quality is crucial for effective AI training.
• The future may see individuals monetizing their own data.

AI-First, Human-Always Leadership — A practical guide to using AI as a thought partner while preserving human judgment, ethics, and creativity.
👉 Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394189826

You can connect with Sandy at https://sandycarter.net/

In this episode I speak with Amoako Boafo who is celebrated for his captivating portraits that honor and elevate Black figures, carving out a significant place for them in the tradition of portraiture. 

As a prominent voice in the art of the African Diaspora, Amoako redefines how Black forms are perceived in a global context. His unique approach not only challenges traditional perspectives but also invites a more nuanced appreciation of the subjects he portrays.

You can connect with Amoako at https://www.instagram.com/amoakoboafo/?hl=en

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