A Lesson in Story Telling with Chat GPT

 

1. Try this practical activity: Write me a short storyline for a film about a character's personal trauma in point form.
2. Compare your answers
3. Get Feedback.

This is an exercise in story telling making use of open AI technology.

I started by asking Chat GPT to Write me a short storyline for a film about a character's personal trauma in point form.

Below is the answer I got:

• Title: Shattered Reflections
• Protagonist: Emily, a successful artist with a haunted past
• Trauma: Witnessed her parents' tragic accident as a child, leading to survivor's guilt and recurring nightmares
• Present Day: Emily's art career flourishes, but she struggles with intimacy and trust in relationships
• Inciting Incident: Emily receives news of her childhood home being sold, triggering suppressed memories
• Flashbacks: Vivid flashbacks of the accident haunt Emily, impacting her art and daily life
• Love Interest: Alex, a compassionate gallery owner who becomes intrigued by Emily's art and broken spirit
• Artistic Journey: Emily starts an ambitious art project to confront her trauma and regain control
• Dark Discoveries: As she delves deeper into her past, Emily uncovers long-buried family secrets
• Emotional Breakdown: The weight of her past overwhelms Emily, jeopardizing her budding relationship with Alex
• Turning Point: Alex's unwavering support inspires Emily to seek professional help and therapy
• Healing Process: Through therapy, Emily learns to forgive herself and find closure for her parents' loss
• Art Exhibition: Emily's art project culminates in a powerful exhibition, symbolizing her emotional transformation
• Catharsis: Opening night becomes an emotional release for Emily as she shares her story with others
• Resolution: Emily and Alex's bond grows stronger as they both embrace vulnerability and open their hearts
• Conclusion: The film ends with Emily moving forward, knowing that her trauma will always be a part of her but no longer defining her.

Theme: "Shattered Reflections" explores the profound impact of personal trauma on one's life, the healing power of art and love, and the strength found in confronting and embracing the past.

Then I asked : How would you film the first scene?

Title: Shattered Reflections

Scene 1: Childhood Memories

Setting: The scene takes place in a picturesque countryside. The weather is sunny, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the trees.


Shot 1: Wide shot of a quaint, idyllic farmhouse standing against the backdrop of lush green fields. The camera pans slowly to reveal a young Emily, around 7 years old, playing in the yard.

Shot 2: Close-up of Emily's innocent face, filled with joy as she runs around, chasing butterflies. The camera captures her carefree laughter.

Shot 3: Suddenly, the camera shifts to a low angle, capturing Emily's perspective as she looks up towards the clear blue sky. We hear birds chirping in the distance.

Shot 4: A distant rumble breaks the peaceful atmosphere. The camera pans up to reveal a small plane flying overhead, and Emily watches it with fascination.

Shot 5: As the camera follows the plane, a loud, piercing noise fills the air, and Emily's smile fades. The camera quickly shifts to her eyes, widening in fear.

Shot 6: Emily turns towards the farmhouse, and we see her parents through the window, chatting happily. The camera focuses on Emily's expression, torn between curiosity and concern.

Shot 7: A sudden close-up of Emily's trembling hands gripping the grass beneath her, foreshadowing the upcoming tragedy.

Shot 8: The camera cuts to a medium shot of the farmhouse as the plane's engine sputters, and it starts to descend rapidly.

Shot 9: Emily's parents notice the plane's distress and rush outside, their faces filled with alarm. The camera switches between Emily's expression and her parents' reactions.

Shot 10: In a heart-wrenching moment, the camera zooms in on Emily's face as she witnesses the plane crash just a few meters away from her.

Shot 11: Slow-motion shot of Emily being thrown backward by the impact of the crash, her body silhouetted against the fiery wreckage.

Shot 12: A haunting overhead shot of the chaotic scene, showing the farmhouse, the wreckage, and Emily lying unconscious on the ground, surrounded by smoke and flames.

Shot 13: The camera slowly zooms out as sirens approach in the distance. Emily's parents are seen rushing towards her, and the screen fades to black.

Note: This opening scene aims to capture the beauty and tranquility of Emily's childhood world before shattering it with the sudden tragedy. The use of contrasting elements, such as joyful laughter and terrifying noise, helps to create a strong emotional impact and sets the tone for the rest of the film.

My Reaction

Fine:) I will not even start thinking about the budget needed to shoot this first scene. I will need a plane and then a huge explosion that blows up a house. Whether this is to be done using CGI or bluff through the special effects, it is still a grand opening. 

However, apart from the impractical shots from a small budget perspective there are other problems with this approach to storytelling.

• First of all there are a total of 13 shots for this opening scene.
• They show everything: Nothing left to intrigue the viewer or pose unanswered questions.
• The points are all about the backstory of the character with flashbacks, an artistic journey, a dark discovery, a turning point, a catharsis etc
• What about a captivating moment that can tell enough about the story without telling the whole story?
• Remember that a fresh story is one that has not been told or shown in a way that it has been done before.