From Script to Screen: Analyzing the Impact of Emerging Technologies on Storytelling, Production, and Distribution in Contemporary Filmmaking

Abstract

The filmmaking industry is undergoing a technological revolution that is reshaping every stage of the creative process—from ideation and scripting to post-production and global distribution. Emerging tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual production, real-time rendering engines, and streaming platforms are not merely augmenting traditional workflows but redefining how stories are conceptualized, produced, and consumed. This paper examines how these innovations have influenced narrative structure, production economics, visual aesthetics, and audience engagement in contemporary cinema. It explores the rise of AI-assisted screenwriting, the use of virtual sets and LED volumes in blockbusters, and the disruption of theatrical windows by digital streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. By analyzing case studies ranging from The Mandalorian to Everything Everywhere All at Once, this research highlights both the opportunities and tensions that technology introduces to the art and business of filmmaking. Ultimately, the paper argues that while technology democratizes access and enhances creative possibilities, it also necessitates a rethinking of authorship, ethics, and cinematic language in the digital age.