“Untouchability is a sinful act,” said Periyar.
“Freedom of speech is a fundamental right,” said Babasaheb Ambedkar.
But today, the one field where you find neither of these is the film industry.
1. The Untouchability of Fans
This is the most visible form.
When the first animated films appeared, many believed they were just “moving drawings.” The complexity, craftsmanship, and storytelling behind them were underestimated. Only later did the industry recognize that animation required immense patience, collaboration, and artistry—eventually elevating animators, storyboard artists, and designers into highly respected, well-paid professionals.
Today, AI-generated films are standing at the same crossroads.
The Myth of the Prompt
Most filmmakers currently view AI cinema as a matter of “just typing a prompt.” They imagine it as a shortcut, where the machine delivers the story-world instantly. But just as a pencil alone doesn’t make an artist, a prompt alone doesn’t make a filmmaker.
The real challenge lies in translating imagination into cinematic expression. That requires narrative design, emotional arcs, and a deep understanding of visual storytelling—skills that AI cannot replicate on its own. As AI technology becomes cheaper, the value of human creativity in prompt engineering, structuring, and storytelling will skyrocket. The “manpower cost” of prompt creators will go sky high, echoing the rise of animators in the past.
Why Global Recognition Must Not Be a Western Approval Badge
By Sai Vijendhiran
Inventor of the Screenplay Auditing Process
www.saivijendhiran.com
"When the West writes a theory, it's called a revolution.
When India writes one, it’s asked for recognition."
For far too long, film writing theories and screenplay structures have been dominated by voices from the West. Names like Syd Field, Blake Snyder, Robert McKee, and Michael Hauge are not just authors — they have become gatekeepers. Their books are taught globally, their templates followed religiously, and their words taken as gospel.
But here’s the question:
Why must a theory be born in Los Angeles to be seen as legitimate in Chennai?
Why does recognition still flow in one direction?
And Why It's Hurting Our Content Quality
Every other day, a new job posting pops up:
“Scriptwriters needed for TV/OTT – 1 to 3 years experience only.”
Sounds exciting, right?
Until you realize what it really means: a complete dismissal of experienced writers.
Most writers chase money, recognition, and approval.
Few chase the skill that leads to all three.
The hard truth is this:
Your screenplay doesn’t earn because you haven’t trained it to.
🔁 What is “Skill-to-Money”?
Skill-to-Money is the cause-effect relationship between a screenwriter’s abilities and their income potential.
