AI is back in the news this week (though, when hasn’t it been) with a raft of AI-related stories and 2 AI-related films in review (Her and Ex Machina) [If you want to read the news and reviews, you’ll need to check out my Substack for those]. The launch of the MAKE IT FAIR campaign in the UK (see first news story below) coincides perfectly with this, so I thought I would focus firmly on AI this week and take it for a spin around the block and kick the tyres.
I asked ChatGPT to play the role of a film podcaster and interview me on the rise of AI in the industry. It decided the title of the podcast – “Screen Savvy” – and I asked it to chat with me as a podcast host would do for about 20 minutes and then produce a summarised version of the conversation for this newsletter.
The voice interface of ChatGPT is good and easy to use. It listens, and you can chat with it as if it were another person (I’m sure you’ve seen the Gemini adverts by now doing the same). We had a good chat for 20 minutes (I instructed it the show would last 20 minutes), and it was aware of the time because it prompted us to wrap up by asking me for my closing thoughts. It was – mostly – attentive and usually reflected my thoughts back to me as if I were sitting over the table from a real host adding a new question on the end. However, it did forget to be the host a couple of times, leading me to prompt it to keep the conversation going and not sit there waiting for a question from me. It was a nice chat, though my “host” for the podcast wasn’t too forthcoming when I asked it to provide some basic information about AI tools.
The summary is mostly accurate, apart from the discussion about AI tools. My “host” didn’t originally ask what tools I was excited about, though I did mention GreenLight as a service I had heard of but not tried. So, it seems the summary has a new kind of bias we need to contend with – an AI-bias! I also spoke with my “host” in the longer version about replicating background actors and voices, as well as having already seen AI-generated content such as establishing shots in movies, but this didn’t make the summarised version.
Side note: I conducted the podcast before I discovered the MAKE IT FAIR campaign on 25th February but we touched on AI exploitation during our chat.
Here’s the abbreviated summary of the podcast …
Host: Hey! Great to have you here. So, my podcast is called Screen Savvy, where we dive deep into film, TV, and all the tech shaping the industry. Let’s start with your take on how AI is currently transforming film and TV.
Guest: AI is definitely making waves, from streamlining post-production to helping with script analysis. The key challenge is ensuring it complements, rather than replaces, human creativity. Audiences can usually tell when something feels artificial, and that risks breaking immersion.
Host: That’s a really balanced view. AI can enhance the process, but maintaining that human touch is crucial. How do you see AI’s role evolving in the next few years?
Guest: I think we’ll see AI assisting more in technical aspects—like de-ageing actors, generating complex visual effects, or optimizing distribution strategies. But true storytelling still needs a human core. Even directors like James Cameron, who have embraced technology, emphasize that AI should serve the story, not dictate it.
Host: Absolutely. AI can handle things like scene composition analysis or predictive audience insights, but the best films still have that human depth. Are there specific AI-driven tools you’re excited about?
Guest: Yeah! Tools like “GreenLight” analyze scripts and predict market performance, which could be game-changing for indie filmmakers. Also, AI-assisted VFX can cut costs and make ambitious projects more feasible.
Host: That’s fascinating, but does over-reliance on AI risk making films feel too formulaic?
Guest: That’s a valid concern. If studios rely too much on data-driven decisions, we might see a wave of safe, predictable content. But if AI is used as a tool rather than a crutch, it can free up creatives to take more risks.
Host: Let’s pivot to accessibility—do you think AI is lowering barriers for new creators?
Guest: Absolutely. AI-driven editing tools, virtual production, and even scriptwriting assistants mean that filmmakers with fewer resources can create high-quality content. It could lead to a more diverse range of voices in the industry.
Host: The downside, though, is the sheer volume of content now. How do independent creators stand out?
Guest: That’s the challenge! Democratization is great, but it also means more competition. The key is maintaining originality and building a strong personal brand. Studios tend to play it safe, but independent hubs could become the real spaces for innovation.
Host: That makes sense. As AI evolves, do you think the industry is ready for the ethical and legal challenges it brings?
Guest: Honestly, not yet. AI is moving so fast that regulations are struggling to keep up. There’s a fine line between using AI as a creative aid and exploiting original work. Clear guidelines are going to be essential moving forward.
Host: Totally agree. Before we wrap up, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring filmmakers navigating this AI-driven landscape?
Guest: Embrace AI, but don’t let it define your work. Learn the tools, experiment with them, but always prioritize human storytelling. AI is just another instrument—how you play it is what really matters.
Host: Love that! Thanks so much for joining. This was a great discussion.
Guest: Anytime! Thanks for having me.
Host: And that’s a wrap! Thanks for tuning in to Screen Savvy—see you next time!