The Power of Storytelling in Film: Examining AI’s Influence on Artistic Expression and Creative Processes
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Abstract
This paper explores the enduring power of storytelling in film and critically examines the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on creative processes within the film industry. Utilizing the Creative Cognition Framework and the Csikszentmihalyi’s Systems Model of Creativity, this study investigates how AI tools influence both generative and exploratory cognitive processes in film storytelling. A qualitative methodology, combining a comprehensive literature review with thematic analysis of questionnaire responses from 20 film and multimedia students at the University of Abuja, Nigeria, reveals nuanced insights. Findings indicate that AI significantly augments creative processes by enhancing efficiency, facilitating idea generation, and streamlining production tasks. However, respondents consistently emphasize AI's limitations in replicating human emotional depth, cultural understanding, and originality, advocating for a hybrid human-AI collaborative approach. The paper contributes to the understanding of human-AI collaboration in creative domains, highlighting opportunities for innovation while reaffirming the irreplaceable essence of human artistry in storytelling.
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Adams-Osigbemhe, L. O. (2026). The Power of Storytelling in Film: Examining AI’s Influence on Artistic Expression and Creative Processes. LingLit Journal Scientific Journal for Linguistics and Literature, 7(4), 252-264. Retrieved from https://www.biarjournal.com/index.php/linglit/article/view/1625
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Taiwo, M., Jaiyesimi, B. J., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Product placement in Namaste Wahala in the global film industry and brand recall in Nigeria. Journal of Media and Communication Studies, 16(1), 9-19.
Tang, M., & Gero, J. S. (2002). A Cognitive Method to Measure Potential Creativity in
Taylor & Francis. (2023). The Visual Language and Aesthetics of Cinema | 3 | v3 | Voice & Vision.
Teniola, O. O., Aondover, E. M., Aondover, P. O., & Akin-Odukoya, O. O. (2025). Audience perceptions of explicit content in Nigerian movies: A study of shanty town. Insight-News Media, 8(1), 634-634.
Aondover, P. O. (2025). Myth, Folklore, and Spirituality in Nollywood: Preserving African Oral Traditions through Film. SIASAT, 10(3), 221-230.
Aondover, P. O., & Aondover, E. M. (2023). Nollywood Offering and Nigeria People and Culture: Reflections and Projection. Unisia, 41(1), 117-142.
Aondover, P. O., & Aondover, E. M. (2025). Content Analysis of Social Construct of Nollywood Films and Ethnocentrism in South-South Nigeria. Available at SSRN 5473278.
Aondover, P. O., Amadi, R. N., & Whyte, D. H. (2025). Cinematographic Analysis and Authorship of Nollywood Contemporary Films in Nigeria. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(2), 212-223.
APAC. (2024). Understanding Various Elements of Sound Design in a Film and Their Effect on the Audience. https://apac.edu.au/blog/elements-of-sound-design-in-a-film/
Block, B. (2020). The visual story: Creating the visual structure of film, TV, and digital media (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Bordwell, D., & Thompson, K. (2019). Film art: An introduction. McGraw-Hill.
Chatman, S. (1978). Story and discourse: Narrative structure in fiction and film. Cornell
Construction and Production. https://milnepublishing.geneseo.edu/exploring-movie- construction-and-production/chapter/4-how-are-the-characters-portrayed/
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2015). The systems model of creativity: The collected works of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Springer.
Designing. https://cs.gmu.edu/~jgero/publications/2002/02TangGeroECAI.pdf
Explanations. https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/introduction-to-film-theory/character-development.
filmmaking in film schools. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1598376/pdf
Finke, R. A., Ward, T. B., & Smith, S. M. (1992). Creative cognition: Theory, research, and applications MIT Press.
Fiveable. (2023a). Character Development - (Intro to Film Theory) - Vocab, Definition,
Fiveable. (2025b). Cinematography Techniques to Know for Intro to Film Theory. https://library.fiveable.me/lists/cinematography-techniques
Frontiers. (2025). Reflection-AI: artificial intelligence as a redefining force for expressive
GHMovieFreak. (2023). Feature Article: The Art of Storytelling in Film, An Exploration of the styles of storytelling. https://ghmoviefreak.com/feature-article-the-art-of-storytelling-in-film-an-exploration-of-the-styles-of-storytelling/
HashStudioz. (2025). Generative AI in Script Writing: Tech Behind Automated Content.
https://medium.com/@channelasaservice/the-rise-of-ai-in-film-how-ai-script-writing-is-changing-the-game-04509a15c9fe
https://oma.on.ca/en/contestpages/resources/free-report-cinematography.pdf
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-handbook-of-creativity/creative cognition/6B776E318DDC54ECFDB89CFD96141B07
https://www.hashstudioz.com/blog/generative-ai-in-script-writing-tech-behind-automated-content/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378709934_A_Study_of_Artificial_Intelligence_in_the_Production_of_Film
IED. (2025). Film editing: Techniques and tips. https://www.ied.edu/news/film-editingtechniques-and-tips
Index Copernicus. (2025). The Intersection Of Ai And Filmmaking: Creative Opportunities And Ethical Challenges. https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/api/file/viewByFileId/2313081
Kaptchuk, T. J., & Kelly, W. M. (2018). AI and creativity: A review of the literature. Journal of Creative Technologies, 7(1), 1-15.
Levy, B. A., & Murphy, F. (2001). Story/telling_. University of Queensland Press. c461
Maikaba, B., & Msughter, A. E. (2019). Digital media and cultural globalisation: The fate of African value system. Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(1), 214-220.
McCormack, J., d'Inverno, M., & McCormack, J. (2019). Computers and creativity: A
MediaTech Institute. (2023). Unleashing the Power of AI: Visual Effects in Digital Filmmaking.https://mediatech.edu/unleashing-the-power-of-ai-visual-effects-in-digital filmmaking/
Medium. (2024). The Rise of AI in Film: How AI Script Writing is Changing the Game.
Milne Publishing. (2023a). 3. What Are the Mechanics of Story and Plot? – Exploring Movie Construction and Production. https://milnepublishing.geneseo.edu/exploring-movie-construction-and-production/chapter/3-what-are-the-mechanics-of-story-and-plot/
Milne Publishing. (2023b). 4. How Are the Characters Portrayed? – Exploring Movie
Msughter, A. E., Hile, M. M., & Bappa, F. S. (2022). Have you heard what they are doing to women? Media portrayal of female celebrities in Nigerian press. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 9(2), 186-197.
Newman, M. Z. (2011). Indie: An American film culture. Columbia University Press.
Newman, M. Z. (2011). Indie: An American film culture. Columbia University Press.
Number Analytics. (2025). The Ultimate Guide to Film Storytelling. https://www.numberanalytics.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-film-storytelling
NYFA. (2022). A Beginner's Guide to Film Editing Terms. https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/a-beginners-guide-to-film-editing-vocabulary/
Obasi, M. C., Sunday Idowu, S., Eric Msughter, A., & Ogbonnna, S. (2023). The Woman King: Nansica as an Ideal Leader in the Contemporary Nigerian Society. Aondover and Ogbonnna, Sunday, The Woman King: Nansica as an Ideal Leader in the Contemporary Nigerian Society.
OMA. (2023). Cinematography Techniques: The Different Types of Shots in Film.
perspective. Journal of Science and Technology of the Arts, 11(1), 35-48.
ResearchGate. (2024). A Study of Artificial Intelligence in the Production of Film.
ResearchGate. (2025a). Augmenting Creativity: The Influence of AI on the Future of Literature
ResearchGate. (2025b). (PDF) Human–computer interaction and user experience in the artificial intelligence era. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391645977_Human-computer_interaction_and_user_experience_in_the_artificial_intelligence_era.
SFU. (1999). Film Sound Theory. https://www.sfu.ca/~gotfrit/ZAP_Sept.3_99/f/Fsnd_Lect_3.html
Taiwo, M., Jaiyesimi, B. J., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Product placement in Namaste Wahala in the global film industry and brand recall in Nigeria. Journal of Media and Communication Studies, 16(1), 9-19.
Tang, M., & Gero, J. S. (2002). A Cognitive Method to Measure Potential Creativity in
Taylor & Francis. (2023). The Visual Language and Aesthetics of Cinema | 3 | v3 | Voice & Vision.
Teniola, O. O., Aondover, E. M., Aondover, P. O., & Akin-Odukoya, O. O. (2025). Audience perceptions of explicit content in Nigerian movies: A study of shanty town. Insight-News Media, 8(1), 634-634.