Former News 8 Reporter Uses AI to Produce Historical Documentaries

Skip Church leverages emerging technology to bring the past to life through innovative filmmaking.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:52pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D macro illustration of vintage film reel and camera components illuminated by neon cyan and magenta lights, representing the intersection of historical storytelling and advanced digital technology.A former local news reporter harnesses the power of AI to breathe new life into historical documentaries.New Haven Today

Skip Church, a former reporter for News 8 in Connecticut, has been using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create documentaries about his ancestors from a time before film cameras were widely available. His latest project, 'The Last Pilgrim,' focuses on his ancestor Mary Allerton Cushman, and Church discusses how he incorporates AI into his creative process to bring historical stories to life.

Why it matters

As AI continues to advance and become more accessible, innovative filmmakers like Skip Church are finding new ways to leverage the technology to tackle unique storytelling challenges. By using AI to generate visuals and recreate historical moments, Church is able to bring the past to life in a compelling and immersive way for modern audiences.

The details

Church began experimenting with AI in his filmmaking around two years ago while working on a documentary about an ancestor who had very little existing film footage or photographs. He has since applied the technology to his latest project, 'The Last Pilgrim,' which focuses on his ancestor Mary Allerton Cushman. Through the use of AI, Church is able to generate visuals and recreate historical moments that would otherwise be impossible to capture on film.

  • Church began using AI in his filmmaking around two years ago.
  • Church's latest film, 'The Last Pilgrim,' is his most recent project utilizing AI technology.

The players

Skip Church

A former reporter for News 8 in Connecticut who is using artificial intelligence to create documentaries about his ancestors from a time before film cameras were widely available.

Mary Allerton Cushman

One of Skip Church's ancestors, who is the focus of his latest documentary project, 'The Last Pilgrim,' which utilizes AI technology.

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What they’re saying

“Artificial intelligence is all around us in 2026, and one former News 8 reporter is using the emerging technology to make documentaries about a time before film cameras.”

— Skip Church

What’s next

Church plans to continue exploring the use of AI in his filmmaking, as the technology continues to advance and become more accessible. His next project may focus on other historical figures or events that are difficult to capture through traditional documentary methods.

The takeaway

Skip Church's innovative use of AI in his documentary filmmaking demonstrates the potential for emerging technologies to transform the way we preserve and share historical stories. By leveraging AI to generate visuals and recreate the past, Church is able to bring his ancestors' experiences to life in a compelling and immersive way for modern audiences.