Can AI Actually Help Write a Screenplay? One Skeptical Screenwriter Shares His Experience
Scott Z. Burns, known for his work on the film Contagion, recently tested whether artificial intelligence can assist in writing a sequel to the movie. His experiment was featured on the podcast What Could Go Wrong?, where he shared candid insights about using AI in a creative, narrative-driven process.
Burns approached AI with a dose of skepticism. As a seasoned screenwriter, he understands the nuances that go into crafting compelling characters, intricate plots, and engaging dialogue. The question was whether AI could contribute meaningfully to this process or if it would fall short of human creativity.
What Scott Z. Burns Found Out
Using AI to write a screenplay isn’t as straightforward as feeding it a prompt and getting a polished script back. Burns discovered that while AI can generate ideas and suggest dialogue, it often lacks the emotional depth and structural coherence that a human writer brings to the table.
He noted that AI-generated content can sometimes feel generic or disconnected, requiring significant revision and human input to shape it into something that resonates on screen. AI tools can be helpful for brainstorming or overcoming writer’s block, but relying on them to craft an entire screenplay without intervention doesn’t yield satisfying results.
What This Means for Writers
For screenwriters and other writers, AI can be a useful assistant rather than a replacement. It can:
- Provide fresh ideas or plot points when creativity stalls.
- Generate alternate dialogue options for scenes.
- Help with research and fact-checking quickly.
However, the core storytelling—developing characters, pacing, emotional arcs—still requires a human touch. Writers who want to integrate AI into their workflow should view it as a tool to augment their creativity, not a shortcut to skip the hard work.
Learning More About AI Tools for Writers
If you’re curious about how AI tools can fit into your writing process, there are resources that offer courses and training to get familiar with practical applications of AI in creative fields. For example, Complete AI Training provides specialized courses tailored to different professional skills, including creative writing and content creation.
In the end, AI can spark ideas and offer assistance, but the essence of storytelling remains human. Writers looking to experiment with AI should balance technology with their own voice and vision to create work that truly connects.
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