Krista Bradley on Storytelling, AI, and the Future of Filmmaking
At the recent AI InTheRock session, Krista Bradley took the stage not just as a filmmaker, but as a visionary voice for how AI can transform the creative process. A Fayetteville native and self-proclaimed “kindergarten performer,” Bradley’s story began with passion and persistence, not algorithms. But today, she’s rewriting the rules of independent film with the help of cutting-edge AI tools—and she’s doing it without compromising her humanity.
Bradley isn’t just talking about using AI to generate scripts. In fact, she writes all her scripts herself. Her focus is on predictive analytics and platforms like Greenlight Essentials that help screenwriters validate their work, refine it, and prepare it for serious investors and collaborators.
Her proof of concept trailer for Wonderland Cave—a historically inspired narrative about the world’s largest underground nightclub in Bella Vista, Arkansas—has already captured national attention. It premiered as a script selection at Sundance and was supported by a community of volunteers, ultimately helping Bradley recoup the trailer’s production costs before the feature film was even made.
So how did she do it? With data. Bradley used Greenlight Essentials to analyze her script's award potential, audience resonance, and financial viability. The report helped her attract Oscar-winning talent like Clint Eastwood’s longtime editor Gary Roach and producer Tennessee Reed Morton. “I had asked Gary for six years,” she said, “but it wasn’t until I had those projections that he said yes.”
Krista also spoke about her initial skepticism toward AI, especially during the writer strikes. But two years later, she now champions AI as an unbiased partner—a creative ally that makes her more confident, more precise, and more intentional.
“I don’t use AI to write for me,” she emphasized. “I use it to make my writing better. It tells me what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve.” She likens AI to a weatherman for the creative process: it doesn’t do the work for you, but it helps you forecast outcomes more clearly and confidently.
During the Q&A, Bradley addressed concerns about AI leveling the creative playing field to the point of sameness. Her answer: “What keeps us competitive is us. Our unique voices, our vision, our willingness to grow.”
From scoring a 9.5 out of 10 on Greenlight (ranking third globally) to directing last-minute commercial shoots using AI storyboards from LTX Studio, Krista Bradley is living proof that creativity and technology aren’t at odds—they’re finally on the same team.
Her final reminder: “The magic in AI is you. These tools are just tools. You bring the soul, the story, and the spark.” You can watch short video highlights from Krista Bradley’s talk and other moments from the event on our YouTube playlist right here.
