Paul Schrader Embraces AI for Screenwriting Ideas

Paul Schrader, the writer of the acclaimed film Taxi Driver, has made an unexpected endorsement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. He was "stunned" by the screenwriting ideas generated by the AI chatbot ChatGPT after seeking inspiration from it.

At 78 years old, Schrader is known for his contrarian views in the film industry. He recently expressed his disapproval of Joker 2 by walking out after just 15 minutes. He has also hinted at the possibility of casting the controversial actor Kevin Spacey in a future project.

On January 17, Schrader took to Facebook to share his experiences with ChatGPT. He described how he asked the chatbot for ideas for films in the style of various renowned directors including Paul Thomas Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, and Ingmar Bergman. In his post, he exclaimed, "I’M STUNNED. I just asked ChatGPT for ‘an idea for Paul Schrader film’... Every idea ChatGPT came up with (in a few seconds) was good. And original. And fleshed out. Why should writers sit around for months searching for a good idea when AI can provide one in seconds?"

This revelation drew surprise and skepticism from his followers, with some speculating that his account may have been hacked.

Schrader continued his discussion about AI in subsequent posts. He praised Spike Jonze’s 2013 film Her, which revolves around a man's romantic relationship with an AI voice assistant. After rewatching it, he found the film to be even more relevant and eerie than it was a decade ago.

Moreover, Schrader shared that he had submitted an old script to ChatGPT and asked for improvements. The AI provided feedback that he deemed as "good or better than I’ve ever received" from a typical film executive.

Reflecting on AI's capabilities, he stated, "I have come to realize that AI is smarter than I am," comparing his experience to chess champion Garry Kasparov's realization in 1997 when IBM's Deep Blue beat him at chess.

In the film industry, discussions about AI are also being echoed by other figures, such as actor Ben Affleck. He argued that AI could streamline the more tedious and costly aspects of filmmaking, making it easier for new voices to be heard and allowing more creative stories to emerge.

AI, filmmaking, creativity