Working Title : Throw away the Script
Idea : Character & Script generation using Style GAN and GPT-2 models of machine learning.
Impact : New age technology adopting age old Cinema techniques . It’ll be interesting to notice the characters generated via the ML models showcase their persona on a texture.
For perspective :
In the movie Naked directed by Mike Leigh(pic above), the characters perform their act in a small house with restricted to no movement and screams for maintenance as the wall paint seems to be turning to a different colour than original.
Inspiration : Mike Leigh , A film Director
Ive been studying Mike Leigh and his art of direction and storytelling. His technique is unique as he doesn’t write or direct using a formal script. His organic process of filmmaking means working closely with at the conceptual stage to improvise entire screenplays.The characters feel lived in , the performances innate and the story arcs real.
A Character Map :
Sources :1. Criterion Channel — it has almost the movies directed by Mike Leigh .
2. Scripts.com for scripts ( life is sweet , secrets and lies , career girls , naked )
Character Generation :
Some pics of the originals vs The ones generated :
Runway produces these amazing video showcasing the process :
Script Generation :
Mike Leigh does not believe in a formal script , he starts with a rough idea and like to explore his themes by spending time on location with the production teams and actors in characters. Therefore the story unfold infront of himself , allowing him to create a visual verbal script.
“To Leigh ,the physical process of writing is not conducive to life like narrative for the screen as we think.”
I trained a model on GPT-2 basis the various scripts that I could source of Mike Leigh movies . The result of the model has been rather pleasing .
Generated Script :
I am going to be late tonight ,have a dinner meeting to attend
we’re all right then.
– What time will you be back?
– 4:
– Okay.
– Thanks.
Sorry to interrupt. Do you think you can fit these things in?
– Right.
– I’m a bit low.
– I’ll give ’em a ring.
– Thanks.
“Seventeen-I.”
– Hello.
Page 21/74
– Bloody hell.
– What you doing here?
– Thought I’d come and see ya. Where’s Monica?
She’s at home, I think.
Gonna let me in then?
Yeah, of course.
– Do you want a cup of tea?
– Yes, please.
– You all right then?
– Smashing.
Have you been workiworkin’?
No, thanks.
– You washes out here.
– Do you want
a cup of tea?
– Yes, please.
“Seventeen-I.”
– Do you want
a crisp, Hortense?
A nice big one.
– Here you are.
– Oi, greedy guts!
Take a leaf out of
her book, Paul.
– Lost his licence.
– All right, Mum.
– Did you have an accident?
– Just had one too many.
The demon drink, eh?
Is that who you’ve
been goin’ out with?
Yes. She thought
I’d been seein’ a bloke.
Could’ve been, I suppose.
– I still turn heads.
– Turn stoma.
– It’s like a heart attack.
– If the drink’s there, is it?
– It’s like a heart attack.
– Don’t want it.
It’s not a good life for you, is it?
Oh, it bloody well is.
[Jane] Just been for a facial.
They make noise,
don’t they?
Yeah.
I like a bloke.
Isn’t it?
Well, look at each other.
– Don’t.
They can ring me.
– Who?
– I’m never stopped.
Page 60/74
– No, thanks.
I only met Cynthia for
the first time today, eating fancy.
Oh, God!
Why have you left your mum
so bloody long?
Wish I’d known
you was comin’.
She was full of such big plans.
D’you fancy a barbecue?
– No, I haven’t.
Page 61/74
– No, I ain’t.
You up-to-date on the rent?
– Course I am.
I’ll tell you what.
– I’ll give you a ring in the morning. – With a laugh.
– Do you despair of me?
Yes.
I’ll give you
a ring in the morning.
I don’t want to upset you.
Don’t want to upset you, Cynthia.
I don’t want to upset you,
my daughter.
I’m proud of you.
Listen, Maurice, sweetheart –
I wanted to ask yo
what you wanted to see from me…
but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t!
Oh, I’m so sorry, sweetheart.
I’m a little bit
of a disappointment to you, ain’t I?
– Yes, but you couldn’t!
And I could see by lookin’ over there
what a lovely girl you are.
I’ve got a lovely family.
Oh, I’m so glad, sweetheart.
I’m a little bit
of a disappointment to you, ain’t I? – Yes, but you couldn’t.
I’d still prefer
You up-to-date on the rent?
– Course I am.
– You’re not gonna ask me anything. – No, I ain’t.
– So where’s this friend?
– He’s here.
– No. Your mum’s.
– What you talking about?
She asked if she could
bring a friend from work.
– First I’ve heard.
– Is it?
– She never mentioned it?
Page 57/74
– No.
Peculiar.
That must be who
you are, innit?
Hello?
Is that who you’ve
been goin’ out with?
Yes. She never mentioned it
to me, did she?
No!
Oh, I’m sorry…
I know.
So you should have thought
about…
You know, I only know
a couple of girlfriends.
– I used to worry me
about my mum from day one. She wouldn’t let me out.
– She never mentioned it to me, did she? – I don’t know.
Page 58/74
– No.
Peculiar.
She’s a dark horse, ain’t she? – No, not at the moment.
– She’s got a great record.
– Keep me company?
– I’ll give you a ring.
– Where’s your mum?
– Down the pub.
– Whereabouts are you?
– Kilburn.
That’s a shame.
– Is it?
– Yeah.
Does mum mind you
looking for me?
– My mum died recently.
– Oh, I’m sorry.
I’m dying for a cup of tea.
– You off then?
– Yeah, well.
What about Monica?
Page 59/74
– She’s in advertising.
– Yes, of course.
– What about Paul?
– He’s in advertising.
Yes.
What about Jane?
Page 60/74
– She’s got a good brain.
– Yeah, well.
I like Paul for his service.
– He’s got his knickers on.
– Yes, I see.
I’ll bet he’s got
a pair of scissors.
– Got you one?
– Shootin’ for a cup of tea.
– Got you some salad?
– No!
– You going out?
– Of course I am.
What doin’?
– I’m an optometrist.
– Eh?
I test eyes.
The thing is,
I test eyes.
If you’re sensitive,
I can see by your eye.
That’s good.
OK. Suppose you have
a pair of scissors. Page 61/74
– Get down.
– Wait. Wait, please.
Page 62/74
– I can see by your nose.
That’s brilliant.
– Yes, she’s got.
– I don’t have to say.
Yes, but could it be?
I’d like to.
Yes. Suppose it’s a good idea.
– I’d like to.
– Yes, but it’s not an issue.
I only know about this service,
Are you?
– Yeah.
That’s good.
Do you want a sandwich?
– No, thank
I, no.
So what’s there
to see and to think about?
Intelligent machines.
No. I’m fond of machines
that are able to see, understand, and process things.
But are there any good
invasive machines
that can see you?
No. They’re not.
No. I’m not trying to see you.
No. I’m trying to locate you.
Yes. Please.
That’s your clientele.
– Yes, yes.
That’s your clientele.
– Yes, forward all of your transactions. – Yes, that’s all.
That’s your client list.
– Yes, that’s all.
And your seller.
A trailer generated using Attn GAN :
Thank you to Anna and Yining for allowing me to create this project which I cherish and will continue to do so.