Script, Formatting, and AI

Technology has streamlined the process when it comes to writing, formatting, re-writing, and distributing scripts among cast and crew members. The screenwriter can focus on the content and rely on the software to take care of the formatting which is quite helpful because their only worry would be the story itself. One of the most useful software functions to me would be highlighting the parts in a script that have been rewritten, added, or deleted. In terms of production, this sole function saves quite some time and crew members can easily recognize the updates that concern their department.

Formatting standards make working with the script easier and allow for other applications to source, label, and categorize information from the script. This technological development is quite useful when it comes to breaking down the script and communicating effectively with crew members.

AI is a current topic in the creative industries and most likely at some point it will be referred to as a possible co-writer or a substitute for the screenwriter. Even though it could be a source of inspiration or a brainstorming tool, I truly hope it doesn’t become the norm. Technology has transformed film tremendously. However, people are at the core of filmmaking. Viewers relate to stories because there is a human side to them. If we forget that human experience feeds those stories and makes them identifiable, then we will go back to the industrial model where everything is the same because it goes through the same process.