— by Team Reelwise
The other day, a dear friend of mine, an accomplished director from Mumbai, called me with a familiar question:
“Can you suggest a good writer from Kerala for my next script?”
Funny thing is, he asked me the same thing a few years ago too. And just like last time, I found myself pausing. Thinking. Searching. But struggling to name even a handful of writers with formal screenwriting experience.
And that got me thinking : In an industry built on stories, why is it so hard to find storytellers?
When Directors Become the Writers
It’s no secret: most directors in our industry write their own scripts. Out of passion, yes. But often, out of necessity. Because there just aren’t enough professional screenwriters out there who are treated with the respect, pay or opportunity they deserve.
What’s worse? Many brilliant writers we once knew have slowly converted themselves into directors. Not necessarily because they wanted to, but because writing alone doesn’t pay the bills or command respect in a room full of technicians.
That’s the quiet reality.
The extinction of writers has begun.
Writing is a Daily Muscle, Not a Creative Mood
There’s a common myth in the industry that writing requires “inspiration” or a perfect setting. But professional writers know the truth, writing isn’t about waiting for inspiration under a banyan tree. It’s a discipline. It’s a daily grind.
A professional writer writes every day. They revise. They sharpen. They fail, then rewrite. That’s their core training.
But a director? Between production meetings, visual planning and location recces, writing often becomes a secondary task. Which is why it tends to take more time. Directors may be storytellers too, but writing isn’t always their full-time job.
Then Came the Shift…
I remember chatting with the editorial head of a leading newspaper recently. He told me how AI had completely changed the pace of their newsroom.
Articles that once took several days now take just a few minutes to draft using AI tools. With a bit of manual polishing and proofreading, the entire process is done in a few hours, not weeks.
And I’ve had similar conversations with a few screenwriters too.
They quietly admitted they use AI for ideation and structuring.
But almost all of them added “Please don’t mention it to anyone.”
Why the secrecy?
Maybe it’s the fear that credit will go to the machine. That creativity might no longer feel “human enough.”
But here’s what I want to say to every writer reading this:
AI is not your replacement. It’s your third hand.
It’s just another tool in your creative toolkit. You’re still the one thinking, feeling and shaping the story. AI doesn’t know your pain, your characters or your voice, but you do.
Time to Embrace the New Era
Every generation had its turning point:
Electricity. The telephone. Computers. Mobile phones. Wi-Fi.
And now… it’s AI.
This isn’t the time to resist.
It’s the time to adapt, collaborate and reimagine how we work, especially in creative industries like fil
We know it’s scary to imagine a future without writers. But here’s the hopeful twist:
Technology isn’t here to replace writers, it’s here to empower them.
We’re stepping into a new era where AI tools and creative tech are quietly reshaping the writing process. These tools help you brainstorm faster, structure better and meet those “impossible” deadlines with more ease.
They suggest, not decide.
They guide, not dictate.
Think of them as your digital assistant or even a quiet collaborator who never takes coffee breaks.
From idea development to detailed structuring, AI is emerging as a game-changer. It helps writers write faster, better and with more consistency while freeing them to focus on what truly matters: the heart of the story.
And remember
The soul of the story? That still belongs to you.
What We Believe at Reelwise
At Reelwise, we believe that writers are the architects of cinema. We also believe that technology, when used right, can protect their craft, not erase it.
That’s why we’re building tools and a community where writers feel supported, not scared. To help emerging writers find their rhythm, their platform and their people.
Because let’s be honest and face it, if we want to build stronger stories, we need to rebuild the foundation. If we want more powerful films, we need more empowered storytellers, whether they hold a pen or a digital tool, with or without the help of AI.
So the next time someone asks,
“Know any good writers?”
Let’s be able to answer with pride, not silence.
Let’s help shape the next era, where writers are not just alive, but thriving.
Let’s build that ecosystem together.
And if you’re a writer reading this, don’t hide your tools.
Use them. Shine with them.
Know that your voice matters. Don’t give up. The world still needs you. The world needs your stories, now more than ever.
Let’s talk more on @reelwise.community.
Or visit us at www.reelwise.in to know how we’re helping creative minds write the future.
#WritersMatter #FutureOfWriting #ReelwiseCommunity