Day 23 of 30 Day AI Challenge – Scriptwriting New Sitcom Scenes From ‘The Hotel’

For those just joining us, every day during this challenge, I’m going to try and do something different or better, using currently available Artificial Intelligence tools.

Given the weekend, today’s challenge is going to be a light-hearted attempt to create some fan fiction. Using generative AI, I’m going to write a couple of scenes from “The Hotel” a new sitcom inspired by The Office and starring many of the same characters.

I’ll spare you the sausage making process, but suffice it to say that I leaned heavily on ChatGPT for ideation and scriptwriting. Headline image is from Midjourney (purposefully designed to NOT resemble the original actors). Voice narration was created using ElevenLabs.

The Cast

• Michael – Hotel General Manager
• Dwight – Front Desk Manager (with aspirations to be Deputy to the GM)
• Jim – Food & Beverage Manager
• Pam – Receptionist

The Hotel, Scene 1 – The Day Begins

Prefer to listen to the script vs reading it? Use the audio recording below:

INT. 5-STAR HOTEL LOBBY – DAY

Michael Scott, the General Manager, stands in the center of the luxurious hotel lobby, admiring his kingdom. Jim Halpert, the Food & Beverage Manager, is setting up a coffee station nearby. Dwight Schrute, the Front Desk Manager, is enthusiastically assisting a guest with check-in. Pam Beesly, the Receptionist, is at her desk, organizing papers and answering phone calls.

MICHAEL (to himself) Ah, Michael Scott’s five-star hotel experience. This place would be nothing without me.

Michael notices a guest walking by and decides to be “helpful.”

MICHAEL (excited) Welcome to our hotel! Can I interest you in a complimentary shoe shine?

GUEST (confused) Uh, no thanks.

The guest walks away, leaving Michael slightly disappointed.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY – CONTINUOUS

Jim watches Michael’s interaction and smirks. He notices that Dwight is intensely focused on his computer at the front desk.

JIM (whispers to Pam) Hey Pam, watch this.

Jim takes out his phone and remotely controls the computer at the front desk, making the screen go black. Dwight becomes flustered.

DWIGHT (angry) Jim! Stop messing with the computer! This is a five-star hotel, not a playground!

Jim feigns innocence.

JIM (smiling) I have no idea what you’re talking about, Dwight.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY – CONTINUOUS

Pam tries to suppress her laughter as Dwight struggles to fix the computer. Michael notices the commotion and walks over.

MICHAEL (agitated) What’s going on here? We have a reputation to uphold!

DWIGHT (defensive) Jim is sabotaging the front desk, Michael!

JIM (innocent) I’m just setting up the coffee station, Michael.

MICHAEL (concerned) Well, somebody needs to fix this computer right now! We can’t have unhappy guests at my hotel!

Jim smirks and presses a button on his phone, instantly fixing the computer. Dwight looks at Jim suspiciously but remains silent.

MICHAEL (satisfied) There, problem solved. Teamwork, people!

Michael walks away, leaving Jim, Dwight, and Pam to continue their day at “The Hotel.”

END SCENE

Scene 2 – Unexpected Hotel Inspection

Prefer to listen to the script vs reading it? Use the audio recording below:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY – DAY

The luxurious hotel lobby continues to bustle with activity. Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, Dwight Schrute, and Pam Beesly have returned to their respective tasks. The camera pans to the entrance, where a stern-looking HOTEL INSPECTOR enters, clipboard in hand.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY – CONTINUOUS

Pam notices the Hotel Inspector first and nudges Jim, who then discreetly signals Dwight. Finally, Dwight gets Michael’s attention by making a subtle throat-clearing sound.

MICHAEL (whispering to Dwight) Who’s that?

DWIGHT (hushed) That’s the Hotel Inspector, Michael. We’re due for our annual inspection.

MICHAEL (panicking) Why didn’t anyone tell me? I need to make sure everything is perfect!

Michael starts rushing around the lobby, straightening furniture and picking up invisible lint.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY – CONTINUOUS

The Hotel Inspector approaches Pam at the reception desk.

HOTEL INSPECTOR (stern) I’m here for the annual inspection. I need to speak with the General Manager.

Pam nervously points to Michael, who is now frantically polishing the already immaculate front doors.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY – CONTINUOUS

The Hotel Inspector walks over to Michael, who tries to act nonchalant.

MICHAEL (smiling) Ah, welcome! You must be here for our inspection. I’m Michael Scott, the General Manager.

HOTEL INSPECTOR (unimpressed) Yes, I can see that. Let’s begin.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY – CONTINUOUS

Jim, seizing the opportunity for mischief, takes out his phone and sends a text message to Dwight.

INSERT – JIM’S PHONE

The text message reads: “Dwight, heard from my sources that the inspector is terrified of bears. Be prepared.”

BACK TO SCENE

Dwight reads the text, nods seriously, and rushes to the hotel’s lost and found box.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY – CONTINUOUS

As the Hotel Inspector follows Michael through the lobby, Dwight secretly dons a bear mask he found in the lost and found box.

DWIGHT (whispering to Jim) I’m ready.

JIM (smirking) Good luck.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY – CONTINUOUS

As Michael leads the Hotel Inspector towards the dining area, Dwight emerges from behind a corner wearing the bear mask, growling convincingly. The Hotel Inspector, however, doesn’t seem fazed.

HOTEL INSPECTOR (raising an eyebrow) Interesting approach to staff uniforms. Not sure it’s very professional, though.

Michael looks at Dwight, mortified.

MICHAEL (angry whisper) Dwight, what are you doing?!

DWIGHT (defensively) I thought this would give us an edge!

Jim and Pam share a knowing glance and try to stifle their laughter.

END SCENE

A Few Thoughts To Wrap Up

I was blown away by how spot on the scriptwriting was, with a bit of clear direction and tweaking, of course.

On the positive side, generative AI has the potential to really revolutionize the scriptwriting process by serving as an ever-present muse (and to help writers overcome creative blocks). By generating innovative ideas, dialogue, and plot structures, AI can assist in crafting some pretty compelling narratives.

However, it’s crucial to be aware of the ethical implications too, such as respecting copyright and ensuring creative professionals are incentivized to keep producing original art. Striking a balance between AI-assisted creativity and preserving the uniqueness of human expression is going to be essential to prevent the entertainment landscape from becoming an indistinguishable mish-mash of stuff we’ve all seen before, as AI models do tend to learn from existing content.

Hope you enjoyed this little experiment.

Till tomorrow…