The renowned filmmaker Paul Schrader has publicly endorsed ChatGPT as a valuable tool for generating movie plot ideas, praising its speed and creativity in a recent social media post.
Key endorsement: Veteran screenwriter and director Paul Schrader expressed amazement at ChatGPT’s ability to generate compelling film plots in the style of various famous directors.
- Schrader tested ChatGPT by requesting plot ideas mimicking the styles of renowned directors including Paul Thomas Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, and Ingmar Bergman
- The filmmaker praised the AI’s ability to produce “good,” “original,” and “fleshed out” ideas within seconds
- He questioned why writers should spend months developing ideas when AI can generate them instantaneously
Industry reaction: The filmmaker’s endorsement of AI as a creative tool sparked immediate controversy among his social media followers.
- Many followers expressed concern and disbelief at Schrader’s stance
- Some questioned whether his account had been compromised
- Others urged him to stop promoting AI technology in filmmaking
Deeper engagement with AI: Schrader has demonstrated an increasing interest in artificial intelligence’s creative capabilities.
- He recently submitted a previous script to ChatGPT for feedback, noting that the AI provided notes comparable or superior to those from film executives
- The filmmaker compared the current AI moment to Garry Kasparov‘s realization that Deep Blue would defeat him at chess in 1997
- Schrader openly acknowledged that he believes AI is “smarter” than him and has “better ideas”
Current projects: Despite his AI advocacy, Schrader continues to pursue traditional filmmaking.
- His latest film “Oh, Canada” stars Richard Gere and Jacob Elordi, focusing on a dying filmmaker’s final interview
- His next project, “Non Compos Mentis,” is planned as a noir film exploring themes of sexual obsession
- The upcoming film will examine “the stupid things men do for love”
Looking ahead: While Schrader’s embrace of AI tools has generated controversy, his stance represents a significant shift in how established filmmakers view artificial intelligence – not just as a threat, but as a potential collaborative tool in the creative process.
Paul Schrader Says He Asked ChatGPT for Film Ideas and They Were All ‘Original’ and ‘Fleshed Out’: ‘Why Should Writers Sit Around for Months’ When ‘AI Can Provide One in Seconds?’