Authentic Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence in Screenwriting | Script Revolution

Authentic Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence in Screenwriting

Introduction: 

The rapid rise of AI has become an unexpected hot topic within creative circles as the likes of Chat GTP and similar projects offer a way to generate text based on prompts. The concern is understandable, but ultimately, does the average screenwriter need to worry that their careers aspirations have been dashed? Four-times produced and credited writer, Larry Postel offers his take on the subject, along with a little hope, and an ironic twist ending - CJ

As I write this, the WGA, of which I’m a proud member, is striking for a variety of justified demands, including one involving AI that states it can’t be used as source material to “create MBA-covered writing or rewrite MBA-covered work, and AI-generated text cannot be considered in determining writing credits.”  Call me old-fashioned – and maybe naïve – but I’m here to say that AI will never replace screenwriters. Here are some reasons why…

Screenwriting is all about authenticity

As with any solid storytelling that truly connects with an audience (or reader), the best screenplays come from the heart (a human heart) – and that’s something that simply can’t be programmed into AI.

Writing, really good writing that touches and inspires people, comes from life experiences – often the most painful ones.  As a cancer survivor, I know that my own experience has made me a better person and a better writer. As a writer, I’ve learned to constantly dig deeper emotionally into the inner motivation of the characters I create in order to make them more authentic, universal and relatable.

Remember, the “A” in AI stands for artificial – and that’s a far cry from authentic feelings and emotions.

Spontaneity in screenwriting

Sure, there are tons of formulaic films (past and present) that have taken a cookie-cutter approach in both structure and story. But those aren’t the ones I’m talking about. I’m talking about the best screenplays that truly touch people, no matter the genre.  

The best screenplays contain twists, turns, reversals and hidden surprises – often referred to as “Easter Eggs.” These moments are often written spontaneously, as a writer writes. They come as the characters and story unfolds. Sometimes they may be inspired by another movie or story the screenwriter has seen or read, but more than not (again, in the best screenplays) they’re seamlessly woven into the script based on instinct and intuition driven by real life experiences.

Likewise, the best dialogue – which is critically important in creating authenticity -- comes from writers who have developed a keen ear from years of listening and observation.  Inspired and authentic dialogue is also written spontaneously, as the writer writes.

The world needs humanity

As most everyone agrees, the internet and social media have led to a deterioration of interpersonal skills, kindness, compassion and empathy.  And at a time when there’s such inhumanity in the world, what we need is more of a human touch that writers can offer with inspiring stories drawn from their own life experience.  

Screenwriters: Stay relevant

With all that said about authenticity and my belief that there’s no way AI can deliver it as well as an actual screenwriter, there’s no doubt studios and streamers will still try.  That’s why they don’t even want to put AI on the table in the current negotiations with the guild.

The key here – and this is all-important as a writer – is to develop your own voice that’s unique to you, that cannot and will not be replicated or imitated, because it’s inspired by your real-life experiences, observations and humanity. If you strive to establish and develop your own voice that’s authentic and heartfelt, then no AI program will be able to replicate or emulate what you write.  And you will remain relevant.

An actual (and very ironic) AI short script

In closing, I thought I’d give ChatGPT this prompt to see what it would come up with: “Write a two minute dramatic screenplay about screenwriters who fear AI replacing them.”  

As you’ll see below, it actually did a pretty good job. In fact, I would hope that producers will follow the advice of the very technology they’d like to use!

 

Title: "The Written Word"

INT. WRITERS' ROOM - DAY

A dimly lit room filled with anxiety and tension. JACK, a seasoned screenwriter in his 40s, paces back and forth. LUCY, a younger and more idealistic writer, sits at a desk, visibly distraught.

JACK (pacing, agitated) I can't believe it, Lucy. They're actually considering using AI to write scripts. Our jobs, our creativity, all of it could be replaced by a machine!

LUCY (voice trembling) I know, Jack. It's terrifying. What will become of us? What value do we have if our stories can be written by algorithms?

JACK (grabs Lucy's shoulders, looking into her eyes) We have to fight back, Lucy. Our craft, our ability to breathe life into characters and narratives, it's what makes us unique. We can't let technology take that away from us.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

Jack and Lucy sit across from each other, holding cups of coffee, their expressions determined.

JACK We need to remind the world of the power of the written word, of the human connection that comes from storytelling. We'll create something so compelling, so moving, that no AI can replicate it.

LUCY (nods) But how do we make our voices heard? How do we convince them that we are essential to the creative process?

JACK We'll organize a gathering, a celebration of screenwriters. We'll bring together the most talented writers, directors, and actors, and show them the magic we can create together.

INT. THEATRE - NIGHT

A packed theater, filled with industry professionals, eagerly awaiting the event. Jack and Lucy stand on a well-lit stage, the spotlight shining on them.

JACK (voice filled with passion) Tonight, we stand united as guardians of storytelling. We are the storytellers, the dream weavers, the architects of emotion. No machine can replicate what we do.

LUCY (points to the audience) Look around you, everyone. Every film, every TV show, every moment that has made you laugh, cry, or feel something deep within your soul has been crafted by a screenwriter's pen.

INT. THEATRE - LATER

The room erupts in applause and cheers. Jack and Lucy share a triumphant look as the audience rises to their feet, showing their appreciation for the art of screenwriting.

INT. WRITERS' ROOM - DAY

Jack and Lucy return to the writers' room, renewed with a sense of purpose.

JACK (places a hand on Lucy's shoulder) We may face challenges, Lucy, but as long as we continue to tell stories that resonate with the human experience, our voices will never be silenced.

LUCY (smiles) Together, we'll keep the flame of creativity alive. Our words will always have the power to move hearts and inspire minds.

They sit at their desks, ready to continue the work they love, knowing that their passion for storytelling will endure.

FADE OUT.

About The Author

Larry Postel's picture
Real name: 

Larry credits his early interest in writing to his dad, a wonderful wordsmith and storyteller who had an advertising company he aptly named Post 'n Tell. Larry went on to study and work in advertising himself. His love of movies led him to screenwriting, with a focus on family comedy and character-driven drama.

A battle with cancer (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) made Larry more determined than ever to inspire others with his own story -- and in the stories he tells.

Since 2020, Larry...Read more

Tags:

Comments

Sarah Nicole Faucher's picture

Nice article on heartfelt authenticity in writing vs AI. Thank you for sharing.

Jane Tumminello's picture

Love this article. Thanks Larry.

Larry Postel's picture

Thank you, Sarah and Jane!

Robert Bruinewoud's picture

thanks Larry, well said – although i think you may be giving "AI" more credit than it's due

in a recent "side cast" on the strike, John August and friends were role-playing responses to questions writers may hear from friends and family – one question was along the lines of well, surely some TV shows are so formulaic that they could be generated by an algorithm – to which John replied that he knows people who write on shows like police procedurals etc and that they are far harder to do than you'd expect – saying something like, "just because something looks easy, doesn't mean it is"

John Hunter's picture

Without someone to program it, I can't imagine AI would come up with a human job destroying agenda all by itself.

Steve Mallinson's picture

Thanks Larry - a good point well made. But we may all be getting distracted by ChatGPT and Google Bard when there are much more powerful machines being readied. I've been playing with Anthropic's AI platform that can read 75k words in one go, and it is truly remarkable what it can do: not necessarily for screenwriting but for script analysis.

Tennyson Stead's picture

While I love the sentiments in this article, it's worth noting that these are all the same arguments that visual artists were telling themselves two years ago. Today, Marvel's Secret Invasion is premiering with AI-generated art in the title sequence. I'm not convinced that executives, managers, producers and directors are as quick to spot authenticity in screenwriting as we are, for the simple reason that they don't spend every second of every day looking at it.

While I am never a defeatist, and while I am personally making every effort to promote sustainability in the industry, I think there is ample reason to be taking precautionary measures.

Larry Postel's picture

Tennyson, I completely agree with what you're saying about some execs, etc. not spotting authenticity as quickly as (some) writers. However, I believe/hope it's the audiences that will ultimately be the ones who will reject flimsy stories generated by AI (and often even human writers) -- and that's when the studios and streamers will take note. That's why I encourage all writers to develop a strong and authentic voice to stay relevant. Of course, we can't stop technology -- but we can do our best to promote (human) sustainability in the industry -- just as you're doing. I wish you all the best in that pursuit.

sendnudes