"Just put AI in front of it": What Roger Avary's pivot means for working writers
"Pulp Fiction" co-writer Roger Avary says getting a movie made the traditional way had become "almost impossible." So he launched an AI-focused production company, General Cinema Dynamics-and now he's in production on three features.
His take is blunt: the minute "AI" was attached to the venture and presented as a technology company, investors leaned in. In his words, "Just put AI in front of it and all of a sudden you're in production on three features."
Why this matters if you write for a living
This isn't about hype. It's about packaging, proof, and positioning. Investors respond to clear efficiency gains, faster iteration, and a plan that looks like a product, not a passion plea.
- Position your project with a build plan: what gets prototyped, what gets automated, what speeds up the pipeline.
- Show tangible outputs early: sample scenes, mood reels, animatics, test reads-produced ethically with licensed or original assets.
- Treat your script like a product: milestones, costs, tools, and measurable time savings.
What Avary is making
Avary says three AI-enabled films are moving: a family Christmas movie slated for the holidays, a faith-based title targeting next Easter, and a big romantic war epic. That range matters. It signals that "AI production" isn't a genre-it's a production approach.
The pushback you can't ignore
While creators are seizing new workflows, Hollywood is bracing for the downsides. A recent viral clip of Tom Cruise fighting Brad Pitt was reportedly made from a short prompt using AI video tool Seedance 2.0. The Motion Picture Association quickly denounced the service and its parent company ByteDance for enabling large-scale copyright violations, calling for an immediate stop.
If you're pitching anything "AI," factor in legal guardrails up front. Rights, consent, and transparency are not optional; they're your credibility.
Practical moves for writers right now
- Define the AI you'll use: script coverage, beat-sheet drafting, shot planning, previsualization, scheduling, or marketing assets. Be specific about tools and outcomes.
- Prototype ethically: use licensed models and media, paid libraries, or assets you created. Document your sources to protect yourself and your partners.
- Add AI clauses to agreements: clarify training consent, likeness use, and synthetic media boundaries for talent and crew.
- Create an investor one-pager: project logline, budget ranges, AI-enabled efficiencies, timelines, proof-of-concept links, and a distribution hypothesis.
- Build a feedback loop: small test audiences, data on watch-time or script clarity, and a plan to iterate fast.
- Protect your voice: use AI as a drafting and planning partner, not a replacement. Your taste and judgment remain the moat.
How to pitch "AI" without sounding like a buzzword
- Lead with savings and speed: "We cut storyboard time by 60% using [tool], with licensed packs."
- Show, don't tell: include a 30-60 second scene prototype, mood reel, or animatic built from approved sources.
- Expose the pipeline: list steps from script to screen, where AI supports each step, and who signs off.
- Name your constraints: "No training on unlicensed datasets. No deepfakes of living actors. Written consent on voice and likeness."
If you're new to AI workflows
- Start small: use tools for beat breakdowns, character bibles, and visual references. Validate the idea before you scale.
- Audit your rights: confirm licenses for images, music, and models. Keep a clean paper trail.
- Invest where it compounds: reusable prompts, style guides, and templates for decks and sizzle cuts.
Need a primer on tools that actually help with pages, pitches, and polish? Here's a curated list of AI tools for copywriting to speed up concepting and revisions without losing your voice.
Bottom line for writers
Attaching "AI" won't fix a weak script-but it can change the funding conversation if you present a credible plan. Lead with efficiency, ethics, and evidence. Keep your craft front and center, and use the tech to prove you can deliver faster and smarter.
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