Classes Begin August 23rd!
Bring your stories to life like never before in this immersive 8-week AI Filmmaking Mastermind—no film school required. Whether you’re adapting a novel, crafting a teaser trailer, or transforming an audiobook into a cinematic experience, you’ll master the full pipeline: turning prose into professional scripts, designing consistent characters, generating cinematic visuals, layering audio, and editing like a pro. You’ll explore the best AI tools for storyboarding, animation, and video production—creating book trailers, animated audiobooks, or other high-impact visual projects. Step-by-step, you’ll learn scene construction, prompt crafting, character dossiers, and visual planning techniques that position you to captivate audiences, attract new readers, and monetize your creations. By the end, you’ll walk away with a polished, AI-assisted video and a repeatable workflow to bring future stories to life.
Hi, I’m Ben Richardson
I’ve been lucky enough to spend my career in film and TV, working as a director, producer, writer, and actor on over 60 projects.
Along the way, I’ve had the honor of winning an Emmy, collaborating with incredible brands like Netflix, Hulu, Apple, Amazon Prime, Lifetime, Hallmark, and Discovery, and seeing my work on everything from streaming services and national television to Cannes and other Oscar-qualifying film festivals.
I love creating stories that connect with people—but I’m just as passionate about sharing what I’ve learned. Over the years, I’ve developed film programs for Career Techs and served on boards for non-profits, helping grow the film industry.
But for the past couple of years, I’ve been hearing the same request over and over from friends and colleagues in the writing and independant world: “Can you teach us how to use AI in filmmaking?” So, I finally said yes—and that’s exactly what this Mastermind is all about.
This course is designed specifically for novelists and storytellers, with three immersive courses: Intro to AI Film, AI Film for Book Trailers, and AI Film for Audiobooks. By the end, you’ll walk away with a whole new creative skill set and the confidence to bring your stories to life in ways you might never have imagined.
I can’t wait to see you in the classroom and help you add this powerful new tool to your storytelling arsenal.
Additional Instructor: Ekello Harrid
Ekello Harrid is a 35-year veteran of acting/directing turned “fiction engineer” who teaches storytellers how to think like creative directors and ship work that sells. As an Instructor at Future Fiction Academy, he builds practical, end-to-end pipelines that move ideas from outline to script to storyboard—and into market—using the craft of cinema and the leverage of AI.
On YouTube, Ekello’s audiences watch him turn prose into screenplays live, block scenes for emotion, storyboard with image tools, and score temp tracks with modern music generators—all while modeling the high-agency mindset professionals use to finish on deadline. His classes—like Screenwriting from an Author’s POV, Directing AI, and Series Brain / Sequels Sell Books—are built for working creators who need results, not theory. Students leave with dialed-in scripts, clear shot plans, and a repeatable workflow that reduces costs, speeds production, and raises the quality bar.
Ekello is actively developing original sci-fi IP (including Jumpbox Origins and The Augustine Rift) and teaches the same systems he uses to create publishable novels, investor-ready decks, and cinematic pre-vis. If you want a coach who merges Hollywood fundamentals with state-of-the-art tools—and turns your project into a finished, sellable asset—study with Ekello.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When are classes and what is the class structure?
A: Classes are live every Saturday at 10 AM EST and 4 PM EST, with recordings posted the following Monday so you can review or catch up anytime. There will be no class on November 1st to accommodate authors attending Author Nation.
Q: Who are these courses for?
A: Authors, screenwriters, storytellers, and creatives who want to bring their stories to life with cinematic AI tools—whether you’re adapting a novel, creating a book trailer, or turning an audiobook into a visual experience. No film school required.
Q: Do I need technical or filmmaking experience?
A: Not at all. We guide you step-by-step through each stage—script formatting, character design, visual generation, audio layering, and editing—so even complete beginners can create professional-looking videos.
Q: What will I be able to make by the end?
A: Depending on the course, you’ll finish with a polished AI-assisted video: a formatted excerpt from your novel with visuals, a cinematic book trailer, or a fully produced audiobook visuals for YouTube and beyond. You’ll also have a repeatable workflow for future projects.
Q: What AI tools will we use?
A: We explore a range of free and affordable AI tools for storyboarding, animation, image generation, video creation, and audio design—comparing features so you can pick what works best for your style and budget.
Q: How are these courses different from other AI video tutorials?
A: These aren’t generic tech demos. They’re creative, story-first programs designed specifically for authors and storytellers, blending narrative structure with AI filmmaking techniques to make your work stand out.
Q: How much time will I need each week?
A: Most students spend 2–4 hours per week on lessons and assignments, but you can go at your own pace. Everything is recorded so you can revisit or catch up anytime.
Q: Will this help me monetize my work?
A: Yes. We cover ways to use your videos to attract new readers, boost book sales, enhance your online presence, and even create content you can sell directly.
Q: Can I get a refund if I'm unhappy with my purchase?
A: Teachable offers a 30-day refund policy. Ask for a refund for any reason within the 30 days and we will refund you, no questions asked.
Q: If I have additional questions, how do I get in contact with someone from the 11:11 Media Creator Academy?
A: We’re here to help! If you have any questions about the courses, schedule, or enrollment, simply email us at [email protected], and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
.
AI Film Mastermind Bundle Contents
In just 18 weeks, transform your novels, trailers, and audiobooks into cinematic AI-powered productions—and leave with the full toolkit to captivate audiences and grow your income.
Thank you, Ben.
I met Ben in 2024 at the Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference where he was teaching screenplay writing and I was teaching AI. We started talking and have collaborated off and on since then.
This August, we set aside 2 weeks and worked on prompting for screenplays, storyboarding, and more. I walked away able to make just about any kind of video I wanted, understanding how shots are about 3 seconds long, camera angles, and more.
I begged him to please make this course work available for authors because we need to become multimedia creative directors. I endorse this coursework and look forward to seeing you in class.
- Elizabeth Ann West, CEO of Future Fiction Academy and Future Fiction Press.