The AI-Generated Bible Trailer: Evangelical Marketing and Digital Outreach

Le dessous des images - ARTE

What if the Bible had a Trailer? [0:51]

• Introduction to the AI-generated Bible trailer [0:10]
  • The video highlights a two-minute trailer for "The Bible," created entirely with artificial intelligence.
  • It was produced by Pray.com, an American evangelical company that uses generative AI to explore new ways of converting audiences.
• Content and Scope of the Trailer [0:54]
  • The trailer covers a vast range of biblical narratives, from Genesis to Revelation, including events like the Flood and the Crucifixion.
  • In only 60 shots and about two minutes, it features no less than 35 of the most famous passages from both the Old and New Testaments.
  • The trailer employs techniques common in big-budget cinema, promising heroes, monsters, action, and romance [0:23, 2:28].
• The AI Bible Project and Pray.com [1:30]
  • The trailer was published on February 26, 2025, on "The AI Bible" YouTube channel.
  • Since December 2024, this channel has been managed by Pray.com, a Californian tech company that has previously succeeded with an audio content application dedicated to prayer [1:37].

Created with Artificial Intelligence [3:22]

• AI-Powered Production Process [3:26]
  • Max Bard, Content-Manager at Pray.com, explains the creation process:
    • Step 1: Content Selection [3:30]
      • They used ChatGPT to generate an extensive list of 20 to 30 iconic Bible verses.
      • From this list, they selected the passages that would be featured in the trailer [3:41].
    • Step 2: Image Generation [3:46]
      • All images were generated using Midjourney, an AI program.
      • This process created a "visual storyboard" of static images, allowing the team to assess the visual suitability of each scene [3:56].
    • Step 3: Video Animation [4:03]
      • The static images were then transformed into video using KlingAI, a platform that converts images into moving footage.
      • This allowed them to create the epic trailer as seen [4:09].
• Current Limitations of AI in Visuals [4:52]
  • The quality of the AI models used is still evolving and imperfect.
  • Skin tone and appearance lack complete realism [4:57].
  • Character features can transform within scenes, and sometimes multiple characters share rigorously identical faces [5:04, 5:08].

The Marvel of the Bible? [5:34]

• Pray.com's Vision for Faith Content [5:37]
  • Max Bard states that their vision is to create a "Marvel Universe of faith."
  • Marvel is highlighted as one of the biggest brands for spectacular entertainment [5:44].
  • The strategy involves reproducing various stylistic genres and blending them with biblical narratives, which are considered the "most epic stories ever written" [5:58].
• Cost-Effective Production through AI [6:15]
  • AI software allows for the creation of high-quality visuals without the need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars per video [6:15].
• Reaching Young Audiences through Social Media [6:19]
  • "The AI Bible" actively uses social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, accumulating 2 million followers.
  • The Gospel is adapted into various trendy formats: stories, starter packs, animated versions, and even retro video games [6:29].
  • They also create influencer-style and selfie-mode videos to engage a broader, younger demographic, bringing "timely" content to those who might not otherwise be reached [6:41, 6:49].

Entertain to Better Convert [7:26]

• Historical Context of Evangelical Media Strategy [7:15]
  • The strategy of wrapping conservative religious messages in new technology is a hallmark of American evangelicals for nearly a century.
  • Billy Graham's Pioneering Role (1940s-1960s) [7:15]
    • Billy Graham, often called the "Pope of Evangelism," demonstrated how to successfully use mass media.
    • He gained phenomenal success from the 1940s by utilizing radio and later television [7:15, 8:06].
    • Graham founded the popular magazine "Christianity Today" in 1956 and the film studio "Worldwide Pictures" in 1963, which produced Christian-themed films [7:40, 7:51].
  • Rise of Televangelism (1970s-1990s) [8:14]
    • The development of cable television in the 1970s and 80s propelled televangelists into American households.
    • Pastors like Jimmy Swaggart and Robert Tilton became TV stars, hosting their own channels [8:17, 8:30].
    • This created an "electronic church" where people could experience religious services from home, driven by powerful visual media [8:38].
• Evangelical Influence in Modern Culture and Politics [9:05]
  • In 2025, evangelicals are present in almost every cultural sphere: music, fashion, series (e.g., "The Chosen"), and even theme parks (e.g., Holy Land Experience) [9:05].
  • AI is now their primary tool to disseminate their "very personal" vision of the Bible [9:13].
  • Literal Interpretation and Visual Spectacle [9:18]
    • A central characteristic of American evangelicals is their conviction that biblical narratives are literal events, not mere metaphors.
    • This conviction drives the AI-generated content, focusing on visualizing spectacular biblical stories like battles between angels and devils, which appeals to a broader audience [9:39].
  • Political Power [9:58]
    • The video highlights the significant power of evangelicals, illustrated by the establishment of a new "White House Faith Office" by Donald Trump on February 7, 2025 [9:58].
    • This office, led by figures like ultra-conservative televangelist Paula White, demonstrates their influence at the highest levels of the American state [10:08].