In the latest episode, Variety‘s Gene Maddaus discusses new initiatives testing the capabilities of AI software against seasoned script readers. The findings lead to more inquiries than answers. Additionally, there’s a roundtable discussion about the insights and trends at the Mipcom content market in Cannes, featuring Variety‘s global experts Elsa Keslassy, John Hopewell, and Leo Barraclough.
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Maddaus’ piece, featured in Variety‘s Oct. 15 print issue and available online at Variety.com, highlights that the Editors Guild recently facilitated a comparison between human script evaluators and AI software crafted to analyze numerous scripts for potential hits and talented writers. There’s a growing recognition that many professionals within the industry are leveraging tools to manage increasing workloads.
The summary of the test conducted by the editors’ guild indicated that while AI excels at categorizing and summarizing scripts, providing impactful feedback on narrative quality and authorial voice is where it struggles.
“They pitted human script readers against various AI systems, assessing them across multiple criteria, and discovered that the qualitative feedback remains a strength of human reviewers,” Maddaus explains.
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“AI tools, when asked to distill content, perform admirably. They can generate loglines as competently as a human, perhaps even surpassing in some aspects by avoiding the quirks that might hampers human writers,” notes Maddaus. “They deliver decent summaries, though maybe not at the level of seasoned script evaluators. The challenges, however, arise when providing critiques—assessing whether a script is innovative or merely recycling tired ideas. That’s where AI falls short, as clearly identified in the study.”
As the industry continues to deliberate on how AI technologies fit into professional practices, shifts in perception may be on the horizon, according to Maddaus.
“When you speak with leading story analysts within studios, they emphasize the value of their insights as integral to the production process. Replacing such contributors with machines would not sit well with executives,” Maddaus reveals. “However, there’s concern about how normalized AI integration could become in the future. As younger generations grow accustomed to using AI in their education and writing, will those methodologies become seen as outdated?”
This episode also wraps up Variety‘s coverage of the Mipcom global content marketplace through a roundtable discussion. Keslassy, Variety‘s international editor based in Paris; John Hopewell, dedicated correspondent and editor of our digital daily reports from Madrid; and Leo Barraclough, international features director based in London provide their insights.
The trio quickly address highlights and anticipate future developments following four intense days at the Croisette engaging in international distribution discussions. This year marked a significant shift in industry dynamics, leaning more towards innovative content from creators, YouTube, microdramas, and beyond.
“Marco Bassetti from Banijay surprised us by indicating a strategic pivot. Traditionally recognized for unscripted formats like ‘MasterChef,’ he expressed intentions to invest more in film as trends suggest audiences may tire of formulaic series narratives,” shares Keslassy from her conversation with the CEO of the French production powerhouse.
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