Just Product brings you by-weekly Product Ideas, Stories, and Thoughts about Product Development.
Headlines this week
A product discovery process
NotebookLM generated suggestions and insights
Reflections
Thank you’s
Product Discovery Process
Keeping it short and sweet, we have been focused on product discovery and environment setups for the past week.
For our Story World Startup, we’ve started conducting user interviews. We're focusing on movie script writers and individuals in related professions who help bring a great story to life. To see who we’ve interviewed, scroll to the end.
The AI-generated audio file in this post is generated with the help of NotebookLM.
Process description;
Ask for 1-hour interviews with a core focus group.
Interview conducted on StreamYard. Why?
Records separate local audio files. De-risks loss of info if there is a bad connection.
Get both audio and video
Substitute options;
Google Meet with transcription software (only does cloud recordings)
It doesn’t automatically handle the Finnish language that well, so you’d have to export it anyway
Interview conducted in the preferred language (English or Finnish in our case)
Download the audio file and transcribe with Turboscribe (it seems to just automatically better quality for finished spoken language to an English transcribed version)
Download both text- and pdf files for transcription.
Upload text files, pdf files, and audio files to the notion database for logging purposes.
You can add a text file to NotebookLM and generate a briefing dock by asking it to act as a product manager.
Copy and paste key insights into notions as summaries. Allowing for straightforward briefs for team members not on call.
After conducting five product discovery calls and uploading all the text files to NotebookLM, I tried brainstorming some product ideas based on the input, and it gave me this;
NotebookLM generated suggestions and insights
Technological Obsolescence and Resistance to Change
Many creatives feel stuck using older software and workflows. There is a general lack of motivation and interest in learning new digital tools.
There is a sense that digital tools are not necessarily improving creative workflows; for example, some feel that current software doesn't work in a way that matches creative thinking.
The leap from older to newer software versions can feel overwhelming, causing frustration and feeling left behind.
There is a feeling that current tools focus on adding features rather than streamlining the creative process.
Some creatives use older software such as Adobe Photoshop Elements because they are comfortable with it and find newer versions cumbersome.
Some creatives feel locked into specific software and find it difficult to use other tools even if they are potentially better.
Creative Process and Workflow Challenges
The creative process can feel fragmented and overwhelming. There is a desire for tools that can help focus and remove distractions.
There is a struggle to maintain focus during the creative process.
Many creatives have numerous ideas but struggle to develop them into full stories. They have difficulty moving from the idea stage to the writing stage.
There is a need to avoid rushing the creative process.
There is a need to balance inspiration with practical considerations.
Some creatives use a "block logic" from older software, which doesn't always translate well to new tools.
Technical issues and repetitive tasks slow down some creatives.
There is a need for tools that support idea development and story creation.
There is a need for tools to help organize and structure thoughts and ideas.
The existing software often requires a lot of technical work, which takes away from the creative process.
There is a disconnect between how a script is written and how it translates to the screen.
Feedback and Collaboration Issues
Getting helpful feedback on creative work isn't easy, particularly from AI tools that often provide generic or cliché suggestions.
There is a desire for tools that facilitate the sharing and presentation of creative ideas.
There is a need for a more intuitive way to collaborate on script development.
Some creatives find getting feedback from people who do not understand their vision challenging.
There is a need for more effective communication during the production process.
Industry-Specific Pain Points
The film industry is seen as hierarchical, and some people feel that their voices are not heard.
There is a lack of funding in the film industry.
There is a feeling that the industry is too focused on what is trendy or "sexy," rather than focusing on unique stories.
There is a concern that AI might take jobs, which makes some people resistant to adopting it.
There is a need for tools that can help streamline production and reduce costs.
Some creatives feel pressured to send out incomplete work.
Some creatives find that projects are often derailed when directors become too focused on minor details.
There is a feeling that production companies sometimes interfere with the creative process.
There is a tension between the creative vision and the economic realities of production.
Flexible production tools adapted to different situations and types of directors are needed.
There is an economic cost to making mistakes at the production phase.
Specific Tools and Software Issues
Final Draft: While generally liked for its simplicity, some feel it may not be innovative enough.
Photoshop Elements: While helpful, there is a feeling that it may not be innovative enough.
AI Tools: There is a sense that AI tools can be too generic and not creative enough.
General Software: Some users are frustrated by software that does not support their workflows
There is a need for tools that help with initial idea development and storyboarding.
Some editors are frustrated by the limitations of older editing software
Emotional and Personal Challenges
There is a feeling of isolation and loneliness associated with creative work.
There is a desire for creative work that is meaningful and personally motivating.
Some creatives have had bad experiences with directors and their creative process.
Overall, the pain points reveal a need for:
Tools that empower creatives, not replace them.
Tools that streamline workflows and reduce technical burdens.
Tools that help with idea generation, story development, and collaboration.
Tools that are adaptable and not too rigid.
A shift in the industry that values unique and authentic stories over generic ones.
More support for the creative individual and more appreciation for their work.
This analysis highlights several opportunities for developing tools and approaches to better support the creative process in the film and related industries. The key is to focus on tools that enhance human creativity, facilitate collaboration, and streamline workflows rather than just automating tasks.
Reflections
First, it’s a pretty tedious process. After so many steps, I wondered how to document the insights more quickly. After the AI misinterpreted some key points in the audio file, I asked: Where’s the tool that lets you trace a “product feature idea” back to every discussion that led to it? That feature would also allow us to credit the individuals who contributed to the feature idea, something at least one of our interviewees was avid about us doing. Imagine sending an automatic email saying, “Because you said this and this, we have now implemented feature X. Thank you for your feedback.”
Secondly, AI podcasts are intriguing ideation sources, offering a frightening yet plausible future. Entertainment adapts to audience reactions in real-time, but how does that differ from improvised theater performances, where actors change according to audience demands? Why are we scared about AI reading our emotions and catering to the next scene according to that reaction?
Thirdly, how much more powerful could this process be if the AI used is drawing from all of the context of the chosen industry on the internet from integrated tools that do competitor analysis, and then you’d push everything in nicely prompted format to your tool like Lovable or Bolt.new that builds product for you? What if you’re talking to the customer about AI automatically refactoring itself so it has something new to test at the end of the call? That’s how the best developers work.
Thank you’s
The first set of interviews we’ve conducted;
Saku Lehtinen - Co-Founder and Creative Director and Mainframe Industries
Katri Manninen - Finland’s Most Artificially Intelligent Screenwriter. Ph.D. student of AI & writing.
Tamber Tasuja - Industry leading Movie Editor and Actor
AJ Annila - Legendary director and screenwriter
Aleksi Bardy - Legendary producer and screenwriter.
That’s just the beginning for us. With what AI can do, how much value does it hold that you have a closed community who can get their hands on these insights, and the individuals who contribute will be the first to get their hands on the tool we’re building?
Until next time! I don’t know when that will be, but you won’t miss it if you subscribe!
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You can find me on LinkedIn, Threads, YouTube, and X @DolencNicolas. I also have accounts on Facebook and Instagram, and I am more active on the latter than the first.
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