How are directors using AI in their creative processes?

As you read this title, it’s likely you’re in one of three positions.

1. Gleeful and optimistic early-adopter who is sure that all things AI will unlock the further democratization of the creative industry.

2. Quiet fence-sitter who is dipping their toes into Midjourney while also nodding their head in agreement to the WGA strikers looking out for their self-interest.

3. Prophet at the gates, warning the rest of the world that this is the end and waxing apocalyptic about the death of true art and shunning AI tools like the plague.

All jokes aside, one thing is clear. The cat is out of the bag, and these tools are only just getting started.

However, it’s completely understandable and normal that an innovation so grand and complex carries with it a myriad of reasonable and valuable responses.

In a recent (+ogether) cohort session, one of our directors asked:

Even with so many voices out in the world speaking on this subject, the fact that this question was asked says something important: filmmakers are still figuring out how and why they can effectively use this technology.

The other directors in the cohort opened up about how each of them are applying or thinking about these AI tools. Here are some of their thoughts:

• Use tools like Chat GPT to rewrite treatment copy to include more metaphors, shorter sentences, a different writing tone, etc.

• Put Chat GPT to work as an assistant, helping to tackle the longer and laborious tasks such as researching a topic or concept or outlining story beats and script elements.

• Experiment with summarizations of screenwriting concepts from famous books such as Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat!, perhaps sparking your memory for concepts you learned by reading the book or enabling you to “get the gist” of books you may not want to read in entirety.

• For a non-native English speaker, Chat GPT can double-check language usage such as sentence structure, lengthiness, and vocabulary.

• Spark imagination with film title generation, prompting with specific words to describe your concept such as “Give me a film title for a film about a guy who wants to do an ultra-marathon and is struggling with mental health in 5 words or less.”

• Let the “hype wave” pass of early adopters, and don’t worry about requiring yourself to become good at using image generative programs like Midjourney and DALLE. Then, collaborate with the emerging new experts just as you would now collaborate with someone like a VFX artist.

• Use image generative programs to develop bespoke reference imagery that doesn’t need to be found or taken from a pre-existing idea.

It’s worth noting that one of the directors in the cohort had never used Chat GPT or even opened it until the group began speaking about this topic. At times it may feel as if you are the only person who is NOT a pro at utilizing this software and it can feel crippling or demeaning to not know every detail of these new tools. You’re not alone.

Some directors also mentioned reluctance or anxiety in choosing to use these tools, as they raise a lot of questions about the future of creativity and the value of the human artist. The uncertainty and ambiguity around this concept can be confusing and deeply troubling for some, and that is an understandable response that should be validated.

Wherever you fall on the spectrum, remember that there are others out there who see things differently. Perhaps you can learn from speaking to them, and finding a new facet to this complex situation.

Let’s continue figuring it out (+ogether).