Murray's Blog ☕︎

"Our patented "Stage Manager" software keeps your show on track and condensed to fit your broadcast time slot, including commercial breaks!" "If writers have you blocked, use an MCM story template." "Simply supply the "Stage Manager" with the desired character names, location, and genre." "It writes itself!" "Additional story templates available for purchase."

The Stage Manager is an ai, but it's never said nor implied to write anything or be a generative ai. Its only described/shown purpose is data organization and time management. It keeps your show on track and keeps record of statistics (employee count, project status, etcetera). And why is it called Stage Manager if it's a script generator? Wouldn't it have been given a name implying it can ""write"" as well as manage? Like director or something?

The main thing that confuses me is the use of the word template. A premade format for derivation. Like how a free website maker or a presentation maker gives you templates. As well, these templates very clearly have already been written, and there is a limited amount. You are supplied templates with purchase of the software, and you can buy an additional amount.

If Steel Wool was referencing generative ai, why would they describe it like Mad Libs? Why not say, "If writers have you blocked, ask the Stage Manager for ideas," or something like that? Why is there a limited amount of prewritten story formats for you to select and fill in slots? It doesn't say you're required to use a template, either; you could most likely write your own template. The Stage Manager is never said to have created the templates. If it could ""write"" anything, why would you need (a limited supply of) templates?? Why not just have the user ask it to generate a script?? It was probably me(Edwin), my wife, or an employee who wrote the templates.

What's even on these story templates? An episode plot, most likely, but how much of the plot is already on the template? What does the Stage Manager do, based on what the user inputs? It would essentially have to be a fully prewritten choose-your-own-adventure type script, with blanks in place of names and location. Stuff like what the antagonist is/does and how the episode ends would likely be decided from prewritten-by-human outcomes based on the selected genre. It would all have to be prewritten by a human, because otherwise that would mean the Stage Manager can generate plot. And if that were the case, why would you need templates? Why not just have the user ask it to generate a script?

I'd like to also mention, you'd still need to create or purchase/commission physical sets, puppets, and a costume/springlock-suit for yourself.