Hollywood Script Readers vs. AI: Who Provides Better Feedback? A Test to Explore Their Future

Morris Chapdelaine has a mountain of scripts to read every week. As an indie producer, he tackles about three himself and passes the rest to interns and film students for their feedback. Yet, keeping up is a challenge.

At a film festival, a few friends encouraged him to explore artificial intelligence (AI) to lighten his burden. Initially hesitant, Chapdelaine took the plunge and signed up for Greenlight Coverage. This AI tool analyzes scripts, scores aspects like plot and dialogue, and even gives a final verdict—Pass, Consider, or Recommend.

To his surprise, the AI was brutally honest, sometimes more so than human feedback. And it allowed him to read faster. “It’s such a time saver,” he says.

AI’s ability to summarize may change the role of script readers. Traditionally, they have been the first line of evaluation in the industry, and now, some worry they might be replaced by algorithms. Major agencies like WME are already using AI, such as ScriptSense, to organize submissions.

However, human story analysts, like Jason Hallock at Paramount, are concerned. He recalls trying out ChatGPT and wondering how soon he might be out of a job. To address his fears, Hallock ran a test comparing AI analysis with human evaluations of scripts.

Story analysts have long been gatekeepers in Hollywood, filtering through submissions to find hidden gems. Proponents of AI argue that it could streamline this process, making it fairer by reducing bias. But others worry that something essential might be lost—like understanding a script’s emotional core.

Holly Sklar, another long-time analyst, puts it simply: “Do I care?” She believes that AI lacks true empathy.

As AI infiltrates the film industry, analysts are adjusting rather than panicking. Alegre Rodriquez from the Editors Guild says, “Nobody wants to lose their job. We’re figuring out how to stay in the game.”

Kartik Hosanagar, a business professor and filmmaker, faced his own struggles when trying to sell his scripts. This motivated him to create ScriptSense, which aims to assess screenplays objectively. Now acquired by Cinelytic, it helps in managing the script analysis process and introduces efficiency.

ScriptSense provides neutral critiques, offering summaries and character breakdowns without tipping the scale toward praise or criticism. Hosanagar’s philosophy is clear: the decision is for the user to make.

On the other hand, Greenlight’s founder, Jack Zhang, believes that AI can provide valuable feedback. He sees its strength in appealing to a broad audience, which is useful for writers.

When Hallock tested various AI platforms, the results were a mixed bag. While AI-generated summaries sometimes matched human quality, they often stumbled with deeper analysis. The more intricate the script, the more likely AI misinterpreted characters and plot points.

In one instance, AI favored a script that had been rejected for two decades, while a human reviewer provided more nuanced criticism. Many analysts noticed that while AI could summarize, it sometimes lacked the ability to identify fundamental issues.

Rodriquez noted that AI tends to highlight the positive without addressing the negatives—almost like a cheerleader. It’s sometimes too focused on pleasing writers instead of offering constructive criticism.

This situation raises concerns that studios might prioritize quick, convenient analysis over thoughtful evaluation. While AI is undeniably efficient, experts like Hosanagar acknowledge that it hasn’t reached the point of being critically discerning.

There’s a feeling among analysts that while AI might be speedy, they are still crucial in uncovering excellence in storytelling. “AI doesn’t save as much time as they think,” Rodriquez concludes.

However, AI developers argue that their tools are designed to support, not replace, human creatives. They believe the technology can free up time for deeper analytical work.

The conversation continues as Hollywood navigates this shift. As younger executives become more comfortable with AI, some veteran workers worry about their roles becoming less valued.

Sklar voices a common concern: “That’s what keeps me up at night.” The balance between human intuition and machine efficiency will shape the future of script analysis in the film industry.

For further reading on AI in creative fields, check out this report from the Pew Research Center.

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Editors Guild,Greenlight Coverage,ScriptSense