Beneath the Trenches

 My AI film is a dramatic war film about a World War 1 soldier who risks his life to serve his country. I recall learning about World War 1 in my AP U.S. History, and I became very interested in viewing dramatic war scenes that emphasized trench warfare. I wanted to capture the emotional toll and harsh conditions soldiers endured on the front lines. Using AI allowed me to creatively visualize the chaos, fear, and bravery that defined the era.

I created this project to explore how AI could be used as a creative tool to tell emotionally driven stories. I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and storytelling, and this project gave me the chance to blend both in a meaningful way. War stories, especially those from World War 1, have a powerful emotional weight, and I was drawn to the challenge of capturing that through digital media. I focused on the small, human moments within the chaos—fear, bravery, sacrifice—to show a more personal side of history that often gets overlooked. Using AI allowed me to bring scenes to life that would be difficult to create otherwise, and it pushed me to think differently about visual storytelling. This project wasn’t just about experimenting with a new tool; it was about creating something that could make people stop, feel, and think about the human cost of war in a deeper, more personal way.

My process began with researching World War 1 to better understand the historical context and emotional tone I wanted to capture. I looked at photos, letters, and documentaries to get a feel for life in the trenches and the mindset of soldiers at the time. From there, I drafted a simple narrative focusing on one soldier’s journey, using his personal experiences to reflect the broader realities of the war—its brutality, uncertainty, and emotional toll. I used AI tools to generate visuals and scenes that matched the mood and pacing of the story, adjusting elements like lighting, texture, and camera angles to create a realistic and immersive atmosphere. Throughout the project, I worked to balance individual emotion with historical context, aiming to create a film that not only told one man’s story but also honored the shared experiences of millions who lived through the war. 

This AI film represents a deeply personal exploration of World War I, not just as a historical event but as a human story of sacrifice, trauma, and resilience. To me, the project is a way to bring forgotten voices to life—soldiers in the trenches, families left behind, and the societies forever changed by the conflict. By using AI to reimagine archival footage, letters, and diary entries, this film becomes a bridge between past and present, helping modern audiences connect emotionally with a war that still echoes today. It’s both a tribute and a tool for remembrance, designed to preserve history in a compelling, accessible way.

Author: Caleb Gerdeman