A SCRIPT is not just about structure or clever dialogue; it must carry the voice and the soul of its writer.
This was the message delivered by renowned Malaysian director, actress and scriptwriter Erma Fatima during the ICON Talk session titled ‘Skrip Tak Laku? Siapa Salah?’ held at CENTEXS Santubong.
The session also featured actor, producer and National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) Chairman, Datuk Hans Isaac, drawing a crowd of aspiring filmmakers, students and the public as a whole.
Speaking passionately about the rising use of AI tools such as ChatGPT in the film and creative industry, Erma expressed concern that such shortcuts may risk undermining the heart of storytelling.
“You can get rough ideas from AI and there’s nothing wrong with that. But the final touch must come from a human being. A script needs to feel alive. AI can’t give you that,” she said.
Erma also took a firm stance against adapting novels or foreign materials into scripts.
She preferred to develop original stories based on her own experiences, imagination, and cultural context.
“A novel is a novel. A script is something else. Why should I take someone else’s story when I can create my own? Malaysia is rich with stories; we just need to write them ourselves,” she added.
Hans echoed similar sentiments while acknowledging that AI-generated films are already being produced overseas, particularly in China.
However, he stressed that technology should support, not replace human creativity.
“In the creative industry, the human mind is still more powerful. The human touch is what makes a story memorable,” she opined.
Hans also addressed the growing trend of using AI to generate anonymous or controversial content online.
“Some people hide behind AI because they don’t want to be held accountable. If you truly believe in your message, show your face. Don’t hide behind a screen,” he said.
Despite the rise of AI in creative industries, both speakers remained united in their belief that originality, authenticity and human emotion are irreplaceable in storytelling.
“You can tell when something is written from the heart,” Erma said.
She added, that was something AI would never be able to replicate, noting that writers need to trust their own voice and have the courage to use it.
