AI in Script Development: Can Algorithms Really Understand Storytelling?
Artificial Intelligence has entered nearly every corner of the film industry, and script development is no exception. From automated script coverage to AI-generated screenplays, the conversation is growing louder: can machines really tell stories the way humans can? At Fragrant Film, we believe it’s worth engaging this conversation deeply—because the heart of storytelling has always been more than words on a page.
The Rise of AI in Scriptwriting
Over the last few years, tools like ChatGPT, Sudowrite, and Jasper have positioned themselves as assistants for writers. They can:
Generate plot outlines at lightning speed
Suggest character arcs based on archetypes
Produce dialogue in seconds
Identify inconsistencies or pacing issues in drafts
For producers, this speed is attractive. AI can help brainstorm possibilities, clean up early drafts, or test what a scene might look like in a different tone or genre. In many ways, it acts like a collaborative assistant—never tired, always fast.
What AI Gets Right
AI excels at pattern recognition. Because it’s trained on massive datasets of scripts, novels, and storytelling theory, it can:
Spot clichés and overused tropes quickly
Suggest structural fixes (e.g., tightening Act 2 pacing)
Provide market-driven insights by comparing scripts to popular genres
Help with multilingual translations or accessibility in story drafts
These are powerful tools for any filmmaker, especially in pre-production where ideas need testing and refinement.
What AI Gets Wrong
But here’s the critical point: AI does not live. It doesn’t experience heartbreak, cultural nuance, or spiritual awakening. Which means:
Emotion becomes formulaic. AI can mimic “sadness” or “joy,” but not embody the lived truth of them.
Cultural authenticity is often flattened. A Nigerian folktale, a Latinx family drama, or a Southern church story all carry textures AI struggles to replicate.
Originality is blurred. Because AI draws from existing data, it risks regurgitating instead of innovating.
At Fragrant Film, we know that stories breathe because people breathe. A screenplay isn’t only an arrangement of words—it’s a heartbeat translated onto the page.
Why Humans Still Matter More
AI is a tool, not a replacement. The soul of cinema—the moment a character’s eyes betray their hidden pain, or when silence says more than dialogue—comes from human depth, not machine prediction.
Relationships with writers, directors, and producers matter more than ever. Collaboration allows for trust, authenticity, and risk-taking, none of which AI can replicate. In fact, the more AI enters the space, the more vital human perspective becomes.
A New Approach: Collaboration, Not Competition
Instead of asking, “Will AI replace screenwriters?” the better question is: “How can AI support storytellers without stealing their voice?”
At Fragrant Film, we see AI as a sharpening tool. It can:
Free up time by automating tedious formatting
Offer alternative perspectives to spark creativity
Assist in testing structure while humans focus on emotion
But the true vision will always rest in the hands of human creatives who know how to tell stories that move hearts, not just follow formulas.
Final Thoughts
AI might change how scripts are developed, but it cannot change what makes stories unforgettable: humanity. A great script doesn’t just follow structure. It lingers in the soul, carries cultural memory, and pushes audiences into reflection. That’s something algorithms will never replicate.
At Fragrant Film, we remain committed to elevating the voice of storytellers, leveraging tools where useful but never losing sight of the truth: stories are sacred, and they belong to people.
