Chinese Screenwriters Are Using AI Tools — Is Hollywood Ready to Adapt?
While Hollywood studios and unions debate the future of artificial intelligence in storytelling, early-career screenwriters in China are already integrating AI into their creative workflows. A recent study from the University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong reveals how young writers there use tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney to brainstorm, develop characters, and overcome creative blocks.
How Chinese Screenwriters Use AI
The study surveyed 23 screenwriters aged 23 to 29 from mainland China. Out of those, 18 reported using generative AI during their writing process. The goal wasn’t to replace creativity but to jump-start it. For example, writers used AI to craft character backstories, sketch plot points, or visualize settings. One participant described using Midjourney to create an image of a terrified gorilla in a modern art museum, which sparked a unique story idea about animals navigating human society.
Such unexpected AI-generated prompts help writers discover new angles and connections they might not have considered otherwise. This suggests AI's strength lies in mimicking human inspiration by triggering loose associations that lead to fresh ideas.
Benefits and Limitations of AI in Screenwriting
Most participants viewed AI positively, despite some concerns about job security. They saw experimenting with AI as preparation for future shifts in the creative landscape. Often, AI outputs are not used directly but serve as creative fuel to generate ideas.
However, AI’s usefulness appears limited when it comes to complex tasks like crafting dialogue or structuring narratives. None of the writers who tried generating dialogue found it usable, and only a few who experimented with narrative structure considered repeating it. AI-generated content was often described as formulaic or stilted—good enough for raw material but lacking the nuance that skilled writers bring to their craft.
What This Means for Hollywood Writers
The study highlights that the challenges and needs of screenwriters are similar across borders. The openness to AI tools among younger, early-career writers may contrast with more experienced professionals who rely on refined methods honed over years.
One television and animation writer noted that many AI uses seen in the study, like character generation and story prompts, don’t align with how seasoned writers typically work. Experienced writers often aim to break formulas, while AI tends to reproduce patterns found in existing data. This results in content that meets a “good enough” standard but lacks the depth and originality that elevate storytelling.
The larger concern isn’t AI replacing writers but studios settling for safe, average stories generated or assisted by machines. Hollywood already struggles with mediocrity in storytelling, and AI could push that trend further if not handled carefully.
Final Thoughts
- AI can help writers get unstuck by offering fresh ideas and unexpected combinations.
- It falls short on nuanced tasks like crafting authentic dialogue and complex narrative structures.
- Early-career writers tend to be more open to experimenting with AI tools.
- Experienced writers often rely on breaking patterns, which AI struggles to replicate.
- The risk lies in studios accepting AI-assisted average content as the norm.
For screenwriters interested in exploring AI tools and their practical applications, resources like Complete AI Training’s ChatGPT courses offer a solid starting point.
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