[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Film Courage: Eric, what are your thoughts on writers using AI to generate story ideas?
Eric Conner, New York Film Academy Instructor/Podcaster/Writer/Filmmaker: All right writers using AI. Well, the joke of it right now of course is maybe I’m not saying any of this right? Maybe you guys later on like Well, Eric could have been a little more interesting. We’ll use some AI to get him to say what we want him to say.
The recent writer strike dealt with AI and this idea of okay AI is a tool, it’s not a solution for everything and tools, though AI gets real close, they can’t do it themselves. You might have great tools but you need to have someone who wields those tools. Thor’s hammer needs Thor right or Captain America of course.
I think AI can be utilized if it is run by a creative. If there’s a creative working with AI then it can work but also what AI does that’s the complicated part of it is anything you put in there it takes. Thus what writers always worried about their own ideas. I don’t think people in Hollywood want to be known as copycats. It’s a terrible reputation to have, people accusing anyone of stealing. People don’t want that reputation. It can follow you for a long time.
I think more times than not you’re pretty safe in Hollywood provided you do what you need to do to protect yourself but AI doesn’t have that moral scale. AI will just take and take and take. What you’re doing then is you’re giving away your ideas.
If you use AI to flesh it out, if you put in AI:
I have an idea for a movie a romcom about a ghost and another ghost but neither of them realize the other one is a ghost.
(Hmm, not a bad idea...). But if you put that in AI, now AI has got that idea.
Guess what? AI is going to use it everywhere. I think it’s such a slippery slope. There’s again a reason why…(Watch the video interview on YouTube here).
About:
Eric Conner has taught hundreds of aspiring storytellers at the New York Film Academy (LA), the Writer’s Store, the Animation Guild and Starcoach – China. At NYFA, he’s interviewed dozens of entertainment professionals including Django Unchained producer Reginald Hudlin and John Wick director Chad Stahelski and wrote/hosted the podcast The Backlot.
He recently produced the feature length documentary Other Voices (Aswat Acherim), available on Amazon. His work has also been featured on the Howard Stern Show, On Demand Cable, Entertainment Tonight and Ranker.com. Eric has been a Burbank Cultural Arts Commissioner since being appointed by the City Council in 2019 and recently joined the board of the Burbank International Film Festival.
As a writer he’s adapted projects based on Knott’s Scary Farm and the NY Times bestseller Vampire Kisses. You may have seen Eric appear regularly on the Geekscape podcast, perform as plant victim Mr. Mushnik in Conundrum’s Little Shop of Horrors or share his true tale of being a woefully underprepared Santa Claus at JAM Creative’s Jingle Tales. He’s also worked with HollyShorts for several years as a film judge and moderated multiple panels / Q&As at their annual festival.
A rare native Delawarean, Eric lives in Burbank with his wife Lauren, sons Alex & Judah and their chaotic canines Fezzik and Iggy Pup.
CONNECT WITH ERIC CONNER
About New York Film Academy:
Founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) provides an accessible, hands-on education in filmmaking, media, and the performing arts. With a mission to make the film industry more accessible to all, NYFA empowers students from diverse backgrounds to tell powerful stories through a project-based, immersive curriculum. Students work closely with industry professionals, gaining invaluable mentorship and real-world experience while building creative, technical, and collaborative skills. NYFA’s global community includes students from over 160 countries, fostering a network of passionate storytellers. From day one, students dive into creating projects that refine their craft and prepare them for successful careers. With a focus on practical experience and individualized support, NYFA equips students with the tools and confidence to excel in the competitive world of filmmaking and the arts.
CONNECT WITH NYFA
Nyfa.edu/location/nyfa-los-angeles
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