Storytellers Only

Pulled from Episode 54 of Storytellers Only.Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot is now working behind the scenes — operating camera rigs and assisting on production sets. It’s a big step for automation in the creative world. But while robots can move the camera, the storytelling? That’s still on us.The future’s moving fast… are we ready for it?

Ava DuVernay once said, “We have to work without permission”—and that reminder has stayed with me. This episode is about letting go of the need for a greenlight and choosing to move, even when things aren’t perfect. I share how I trademarked Art of Storytelling back in 2016 but didn’t launch it until five years later, stuck in a mindset that I needed someone else to say it was time.This theme shows up in a few stories we cover today. Sony’s new 50-150mm G Master lens is a powerful tool for creators who are ready to make their own lane—no permission needed. Adobe’s investment in Synthesia brings up tough questions about what happens when storytelling gets outsourced to AI, especially when the companies involved have a complicated past. And baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr. is now turning heads as a pro photographer—proof that it's never too late to start a new chapter on your own terms.(00:00) Intro: Don’t wait for permission(09:07) My story: Sitting on a dream for 10 years(12:41) Sony’s new 50-150 G Master lens(17:35) Adobe x Synthesia: The AI ethics dilemma(24:09) Ken Griffey Jr.’s second act behind the camera(28:38) Outro: Set your path, walk it, trust itFollow Storytellers Only -- instagram.com/storytellersonlyFollow REL -- instagram.com/rel.movFollow Jon Reyes -- instagram.com/stankpalmer

Questlove once said the creatives we admire didn’t get there by luck—it was relentless, intentional practice. His dad used to tell him, “Perfect practice makes perfect,” and that mindset is the heart of this week’s episode. REL gives a quick recap of the recent Vegas trip and why it felt like a defining moment for Art of Storytelling—not just because of the work, but because of how we work. It's a reminder that service, professionalism, and culture-driven storytelling is what sets us apart. We also get into the latest from the creative world: Robots are now being tested to shoot video productions (yes, it’s wild), Sony drops the price on the FX30, Adobe catches backlash for a failed attempt at social media humor, and Flava Flav pops out at Coachella with Yo Gabba Gabba, creating a moment that somehow outshined entire sets. To close it out, REL shares a personal story of how producing an independent Hip Hop TV show with a weekly deadline taught him discipline, storytelling, and how practice made him the prepared editor he is today. Timestamps (00:00) – Questlove on the power of practice (11:35) – Vegas trip recap and what makes Art of Storytelling different (15:48) – Robots entering the video production space (21:10) – Sony FX30 price drop and its impact (26:53) – Adobe’s failed social media moment (34:16) – Flava Flav x Yo Gabba Gabba at Coachella (37:28) – How consistent practice shaped me as a video editor Follow REL: @REL.mov Follow Jon Reyes: @stankpalmer Subscribe on YouTube: @StorytellersOnlyNYC

Success never happens alone. This week, REL reflects on a powerful quote from Angela Davis—a reminder that real progress is built with community, not in isolation. Every major moment, every breakthrough, is stronger when it's shared with the people around you. We also dive into the latest news shaking up the creative world. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro leak signals DJI’s growing takeover of the consumer video camera market. RED just dropped the price of the KOMODO 6K to $2,995, making it more accessible than ever for indie filmmakers. Meanwhile, Runway Gen-4 advances AI video capabilities, but real filmmaking still proves it’s the heart of storytelling. And over in culture news, Warren G is set to perform and compete at the National BBQ Festival on Long Island. On the personal side, REL shares why he's headed to Vegas next week for a project that feels like a major turning point for Art of Storytelling, and recaps the first-ever Storytellers Only event that went down in Oakland this past weekend—marking the beginning of something truly special. (00:00) Angela Davis on the power of community (09:04) Why my Vegas trip feels like a major shift for Art of Storytelling (13:46) DJI Mavic 4 Pro leak and consumer camera takeover (18:06) RED KOMODO 6K price drop: a new era for indie filmmakers (22:35) Runway Gen-4 and why real filmmakers still matter (29:15) Warren G at the National BBQ Festival (33:46) Storytellers Only Oakland recap Follow REL: @REL.mov Follow Jon Reyes: @stankpalmer Subscribe on YouTube: @StorytellersOnlyNYC

Sometimes the best way to start is to just start. REL shares how a quote from Tyler, The Creator—about making T-shirts with iron-on prints from Office Max—sparked a conversation on figuring it out as you go. No perfect plan, no fancy setup, just hustle and heart. We talk navigating the creative grind from all angles—whether you're building something personal or climbing the ladder in a corporate space. Some of the latest tools and trends, including the Blackmagic Camera app's powerful new update and Apple’s fresh Mac Studio release that raises the question: do creatives still need desktops in 2025? Plus, we get into the rumored Canon EOS R6 Mark III, and the controversy surrounding a new T-shirt line inspired by MF DOOM’s notebooks—is it honoring a legacy or capitalizing on it? And where we're at with the Storytellers Only event and how we're figuring that out in real-time. (00:00) Tyler, The Creator on figuring it out (08:55) Strategies for creatives in corporate (14:56) Blackmagic's Camera app update (23:03) Mac Studio - Are desktops needed in 2025? (30:41) Canon EOS R6 Mark III rumored for May (37:05) MF DOOM's note books collection (42:18) How we're figuring it out Follow Storytellers Only on YouTube -- storytellersonlynyc Follow REL -- instagram.com/rel.mov Follow Jon Reyes -- instagram.com/stankpalmer