“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.
ЁЯФБ What is “Skill-to-Money”?
Skill-to-Money is the cause-effect relationship between a screenwriter’s abilities and their income potential.
Top 10 searched keywords by the writers in India
1. Fair Compensation & Rights IssuesA few months ago, a film producer approached me for Screenplay Auditing. He was curious if there were any hidden flaws or gaps in his script. I conducted a thorough audit and found that the screenplay was largely well-structured, with only a few minor points that required attention.
After reviewing the audit report, the producer asked a question that many might have in the back of their minds:
"If there are no major issues, why should I pay for this service?"
I paused for a moment and then shared an analogy:
“Imagine you’re experiencing some discomfort in your body, and you decide to consult a doctor. The doctor suggests an MRI scan to rule out anything serious. After the scan, the results show you're perfectly healthy. Now tell me — would you still pay the doctor and cover the MRI charges?”
By Sai Vijendhiran – Inventor of the Screenplay Auditing Process
In one of my screenplay audits, I came across a recurring issue that many writers—especially debut filmmakers—fall into: the overuse of philosophy and messaging in their scripts.
The story had potential. Characters were in place. A conflict existed. But instead of allowing the characters and events to naturally convey meaning, the writer chose to speak directly through the script. Almost every dialogue felt like a quote. Every character echoed the same voice—the writer's. Every event existed not to move the story forward, but to preach a personal belief.
This is a trap I call “philosophical overload.”
When the Script Breathes No Life
By Sai Vijendhiran, Inventor of Screenplay Auditing Process
In one of my recent Screenplay Audits, I encountered a script where everything was present—but nothing was alive.
Characters were introduced. Events unfolded. Dialogues were exchanged.
Yet, there was no spark, no heartbeat. The scenes felt like they existed out of compulsion, not inspiration.
This is what I call a Flat Screenplay.
When Scenes Stop Evolving by Sai Vijendhiran
In my experience auditing screenplays, a recurring issue is the repetition of scenes, character traits, and dialogues—often unknowingly done by the writer.
Many scripts tend to over-establish characters. Their nature, behavior, or arc is explained multiple times without adding any new dimension. Similarly, dialogues and core purposes of the story are repeated scene after scene.
This kind of repetition doesn’t strengthen the script—it weakens it.
ЁЯСЙ The root cause?
Usually a lack of fresh scene ideas or limited thought process while expanding the screenplay. Writers, in the absence of new conflict or development, resort to echoing earlier scenes and conversations.
In my experience as a Screenplay Auditor, one of the most common issues I’ve encountered is the failure to translate an idea into its intended cinematic form.Writers often begin with a powerful idea — a conflict, a situation, or a unique character arc. But once it takes the shape of a screenplay, especially in short films or web series, the core idea gets diluted, misrepresented, or even completely replaced by unintended subplots.
For example:
A writer may begin with a concept focused on the internal conflict of the protagonist. But by the end of the screenplay, the story may appear to deal more with external societal pressures, confusing the audience and diluting the emotional impact.
Confidentiality, Curiosity & the Challenge of Trust
By Sai Vijendhiran – Inventor of the Screenplay Auditing Process
Every screenplay audit I do is a completely new journey.
The story structure, the writing approach, the thought process of the writer—none of it repeats.
That’s the beauty of it.
And that’s also the challenge.
The mindset of every writer I meet is different.
Some are confident.
Some are confused.
Some are defensive.
Some are dreamers.
But the audit begins at zero every time.
No assumptions.
No shortcuts.
I listen, I diagnose, I recommend—with total freshness and neutrality.
By Sai Vijendhiran – Inventor of the Screenplay Auditing Process
This is something I’ve experienced more than once—and more often than you might expect.
A writer or filmmaker reaches out to me for a Screenplay Audit, but only after they’ve spent months or even years living with the script. They've brainstormed, rewritten, discussed, and dreamed—but despite all that time, they still don’t know:
They are standing at the edge of their own imagination, looking for a way forward—but the path is fogged.
By Sai Vijendhiran – Inventor of the Screenplay Auditing Process
In recent times, I’ve been approached by students from various film institutes seeking feedback on their screenplays. They’re energetic, imaginative, and deeply passionate about cinema. But passion without structure is like a ship without a compass—it drifts.
And that’s exactly what I found in most of their screenplays.
This creates an imbalance. The screenplay ends up going everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
It lacks clarity. It lacks purpose.
And most importantly—it lacks impact.
By Sai Vijendhiran – Creator of Screenplay Auditing
Every screenplay audit I take on teaches me something new—not just about writing, but about people, process, and perception. This case, in particular, revealed how ego can blind even the most creative minds from embracing necessary corrections.
ЁЯОн The Request
A film director approached me with a clear objective: he wanted his screenplay audited before moving into production. He was confident about the story but open—at least initially—to suggestions that could strengthen the script.
ЁЯФН The Findings
Once I completed the audit, I uncovered serious structural issues:
From the desk of Sai Vijendhiran – Creator of Screenplay Auditing.
ЁЯХ╡️♂️ Audit Outcome
After a detailed Screenplay Auditing, I identified several critical flaws, structural gaps, and narrative issues that could affect the film's emotional impact and clarity.
Traditional Script Consulting vs. ЁЯФ╡ Sai Vijendhiran's Screenplay Auditing
| ЁЯФ╢ Aspect | ЁЯЯб Traditional Script Consulting | ЁЯФ╡ Sai Vijendhiran’s Screenplay Auditing |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Developed informally over time by various script doctors | ✅ Created by Sai Vijendhiran as a formalized method |
| Terminology | Terms like "coverage", "notes", "feedback" | ✅ Unique terms: Script Auditing, Narrative Gaps, Flaw Detection |
| Process Structure | Varies by consultant; mostly subjective | ✅ Defined multi-stage Procedures, Evaluation Metrics, and Flow |
| Evaluation Method | Broad suggestions on structure, characters, plot | ✅ In-depth Scene-by-Scene Analysis, Charted Flaw Identification |
| Visual Tools | Rarely visual; often just text feedback | ✅ Visual Charts, Graphs, Flow Diagrams, Beat Maps |
| Report Type | Coverage reports, margin notes, general feedback | ✅ Professional Audit Report with classifications and recommendations |
| Focus Areas | Plot holes, pacing, character arcs (general) | ✅ Detailed audits of: Narrative Logic, Scene Purpose, Theme Clarity, etc. |
| Decision-Making Support | Depends on reader’s instincts | ✅ Supports Creative Decisions with Evidence from structural breakdown |
| Repeatability | Process varies per consultant | ✅ Repeatable, teachable system for consistent application |
| End Goal | Improve the script for pitching or development | ✅ Ensure Structural Integrity, Thematic Depth, and Production Readiness |
| Client Experience | Often one-time or unstructured feedback | ✅ Collaborative, educational experience; Writers learn during audit |
| Positioning | Script coverage as a service | ✅ Intellectual Property and Creative Standard |
What do we Audit in your Film Screenplay?
Writer, Author, and Director
Why Every Script Needs a Second Brain
By Sai Vijendhiran, Creator of the Screenplay Auditing Process™
As the creator of the Screenplay Auditing Process™, I firmly believe that every story deserves clarity, structure, and emotional precision. Here’s why screenplay auditing isn’t just important — it’s essential.
ЁЯза 1. The Writer’s Blind Spot