Scriptwriting with AI: A comparative analysis of ChatGPT and human-crafted short-film scripts: A South African perspective

Following the release of the ChatGPT chatbot in 2023, by OpenAI, this research project conducted a comparative analysis between a short-film script generated by ChatGPT-3.5 and one crafted by a human scriptwriter, both tasked with creating South African-based scripts focused on African aesthetics and storytelling techniques. While ChatGPT proved efficient in generating scripts, it was primarily programmed by non-Africans and thus cannot produce authentic South African experiences in its narratives. The platform is useful for African filmmakers as a tool to assist them with formatting, structure, enhancing conflict and improving action descriptions. ChatGPT is not autonomous and cannot produce creative work like humans can. It generates scripts based on programmed narrative models such as the three-act structure, the Hero’s Journey and Freytag’s Pyramid. While African writers are encouraged to use these platforms for brainstorming and structuring, the core of the story and its authenticity will come from the human screenwriter.