AI Character Bibles (Part III)
Adding reference-able and arc-modifiable moral traits, constraints, and religious beliefs
Good morning, for those of you following along, let’s print out a summary of Phi’s current Character Bible.
Phi - Philia El-Mahdi
In the city of Aegis, a location where technology has been outlawed, resides Phi, a scavenger by trade. Phi is an athletic figure of 5’8” stature with flowing long, black hair, often tied back during her scavenging endeavors. An undeniable mark of her past is the distinct birthmark on her left wrist, eerily reminiscent of a design on a mysterious keystone she discovers. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that this birthmark may hold the secret to unlocking the keystone's mysteries. The right side of her face is marked by an azure skin anomaly, a manifestation of the disease known as "Cerulean Flux." Complicating her daily tasks, Phi's left wrist is handicapped from a neurological disorder, another consequence of Cerulean Flux. Her clothing speaks of functionality and protection, yet carries an air of rugged style. Donning earth-toned trousers, a fitted waistcoat, and a scarf to shield her from sandstorms, every item she wears tells a tale, especially her worn-out leather boots. Phi's linguistic prowess extends to a dialect similar to that of Tunisian, giving a nod to the region's heritage.
Her home, on Aegis' outskirts, is a testament to resilience and innovation. It stands as a makeshift structure, embodying a desert Gypsy ambiance, built primarily from scavenged materials that echo tales of bygone eras. The interiors of her abode showcase various tech artifacts, mementos from her many scavenging excursions. As an outcast in Aegis, Phi's early life was marked by challenges. Born to tech traders who were later shunned, she was left to her devices from a tender age. She swiftly mastered the art of scavenging, unearthing forbidden tech treasures and selling them in the clandestine corners of the black market. A life on society's fringes has moulded Phi into a fiercely independent soul, fortified with resilience and a deep-rooted understanding of technology. Under her toughened exterior lies a compassionate heart, always willing to extend a helping hand to those in dire straits. Her journey is fraught with trials, heightened when she encounters the keystone, setting her on a course to decipher enigmas of Aegis, her lineage, and the intricate game of the Shepard’s Tone.
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Adding moral traits and constraints
As we embark on the journey of scripting with the aid of ChatGPT, it becomes imperative to continuously reference Phi's character traits and constraints, ensuring that every line and action aligns with her established identity. Central to Phi's essence is her moral compass, which acts as both a constraint and a guiding light in the narrative. Her morals influence not just her decisions but also her interactions, dilemmas, and the very path she chooses to tread. This intrinsic element cannot be overlooked or diluted. In our upcoming segments, we'll illustrate to our readers the meticulous process of how ChatGPT is guided to adhere to and craft content keeping these character intricacies in focus.
NOTE: I appreciate the feedback from many of you regarding the readability of the ChatGPT screenshots on mobile devices. Taking this into account, from this issue onwards, I'll present ChatGPT's output as text for clearer readability.
My prompt: I want to add moral traits, religious beliefs, and postulate how strongly held each of her beliefs is. When we write the screenplay and develop her character arc, I’d like to reference, test, and modify these traits and constraints. Please state 10 of her traits/beliefs, how strongly held they are, and what events occur that test those beliefs/constraints. For each event, describe how it supports her character arc throughout the screenplay.
After several iterations using the techniques I described in Part I and Part II, I got the following.
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ChatGPT: Phi's moral compass is both her strength and her vulnerability. Among her most strongly held beliefs is her compassion for the outcast, a value she puts into practice when she encounters a group of children ostracized due to their affliction with Cerulean Flux. Her decision to secretly aid them not only establishes her as a beacon of hope in Aegis but also cements her dedication to justice. From her scavenging days, Phi has developed a strong belief in the merits of hard work. This principle is tested when she's presented with a shady deal that promises ease and comfort but at a moral cost. She declines, reinforcing her integrity and positioning her as a reliable ally or leader in Aegis. However, her skepticism of technology, although moderate, faces a severe trial when she discovers a piece of tech that might cure her Cerulean Flux affliction. This internal battle forms a pivotal decision point in her journey, weighing the allure of personal gain against societal skepticism.
Life in Aegis has taught Phi the sacredness of life, a lesson that's brought to the forefront when she's faced with a choice between harming an innocent or securing a technological prize. Meanwhile, past betrayals have ingrained in her a deep-seated distrust of authority. This belief is challenged when an authoritative figure extends an olive branch, pushing her to reconsider her biases for the greater good. While Phi values truth, her survivalist instincts sometimes take precedence. This dynamic is on full display when, to protect a loved one, she contemplates lying, showcasing the constant tug-of-war between personal values and the harsh realities of her world.
Although her faith in a higher power is mild, rooted more in tradition than fervent belief, there comes a moment of vulnerability when she seeks divine guidance, adding depth to her character. Her strong connection to family and ancestry gets rocked when she unearths a potentially life-altering secret about her lineage. This revelation adds layers to her motivations and challenges her perceptions. Her reluctance to kill, even when seemingly the only option, brings her morals into sharp focus, while her belief in redemption—evidenced when she considers an alliance with an old foe—shapes her growth as a leader. As the screenplay unfolds, these intricately woven traits and beliefs will serve as a guide, ensuring Phi's portrayal is consistent, multifaceted, and engaging.
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And her religious beliefs, constraints, and conflicts.
My Prompt. What religious believe exist in Aegis and which religion was she brought up in. Describe that religion and what makes it unique, give it a name, and a leader. - how deeply held does she hold those religious beliefs. How does her religion come in conflict with other religion and the ruling government?
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ChatGPT: In the heart of Aegis, a multitude of religious sects flourish, but Phi was raised in the doctrine of "Luminal Path," a unique belief system centered on the worship of the dual moons that grace Aegis's skies. Luminal Path teaches that the two moons, known as Lumina and Obscuria, represent the contrasting forces of clarity and mystery. Followers seek a harmonious balance between understanding the world and embracing its enigmas. The religion is led by the charismatic and wise High Seer Alaric, who claims to have visions directed by the moonlight. Phi's adherence to Luminal Path is moderate; while she respects its teachings, she often finds herself straying from its strict doctrines, particularly in her quest for survival.
The Luminal Path often finds itself at odds with the dominant "Ecliptic Order," which believes in the suppression of Luminal's dual moon teachings in favor of a singular cosmic power. This ideological clash has fostered tension and occasionally erupted into skirmishes. Adding complexity to this dynamic, the ruling government views Luminal Path with suspicion, associating its teachings with rebellion, particularly due to High Seer Alaric's occasional critiques of the state.
For Phi, her upbringing in the Luminal Path influences her decisions, especially her deep respect for balance, evident in her interactions and choices. Yet, her moderate adherence means she's open to questioning, leading her to occasionally challenge Luminal dogma in her journey. The religious undertones of Aegis, especially the tension between Luminal Path and both the Ecliptic Order and the government, serve as a potent backdrop to Phi's evolution. Her navigation through these religious and political waters, especially given her personal connections to Luminal Path, adds layers to her narrative, challenging her beliefs and forcing her to define her spiritual identity amidst the chaos.
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How we will be using this data.
As we begin to shape Phi's journey in the screenplay, it's crucial to emphasize the role that ChatGPT will play, taking cues from the detailed Character Bible we've established. With its ability to access and understand the intricacies of the Character Bible with precision, ChatGPT promises consistency and accuracy in Phi's portrayal. In contrast, traditional human-bound processes have often relied on a myriad of tools - from sticky notes to Google Docs. While these tools served their purpose, they often required the creators to internalize and memorize vast amounts of information, leading to potential inconsistencies or oversights. The advantage of utilizing AI in this context becomes evident: it offers a centralized, error-resistant, and detailed understanding of character development. While both human-driven and AI-driven processes have their merits, in the realm of consistency and deep data-driven understanding, AI like ChatGPT holds a distinctive edge.
Next up, we’ll be adding detail to the world in which she lives. Aegis and the lands beyond.
What is The Brief and Who should read it?
I release a weekly digest every Friday, tailored for professionals ranging from executives to writers, directors, cinematographers, editors, and anyone actively involved in the film and television domain. This briefing offers a comprehensive yet accessible perspective on the convergence of technology and its implications for the movie and TV industry. It serves as an efficient gateway to understanding the nexus between Hollywood and Silicon Valley.
Who am I?
I'm Steve Newcomb. Functionally, I’m a recovering Silicon Valley founder that is finally old enough to have a bit of care. I’m perhaps most recognized for founding Powerset— it was the largest AI and machine learning project in the world when I founded it. It was later acquired by Microsoft and transformed into something you might recognize today - Microsoft Bing. Beyond Bing, I had the privilege of being on the pioneering team that witnessed the inaugural email sent via a mobile device. My journey also led me to SRI (Stanford Research Institute), where we laid the groundwork for contemporary speech recognition technology. Additionally, I was a co-founder of the debut company to introduce a 3D physics engine in Javascript. I've held positions on the board of directors and contributed funding to massive open source initiatives like NodeJS and even the largest such project, jQuery. My experience extends to academia, having been a senior fellow at the University of California, Berkeley's engineering and business faculties. Recently, I ventured into Layer 2 internet protocols and assisted a company named Matter Labs in securing $440 million in funding to bolster their endeavors.
What am I doing besides writing these posts?
Typically, I allocate a year between groundbreaking ventures. My exploration for the upcoming project commenced in May 2023, and the sole certainty is its nexus with the film, television, SMURF, and AI domains. Sharing insights on my research endeavors helps me discern between feasible prospects and mere illusions. My hope is that for this venture, I appropriately consider the ethical and sociological repercussions.
If you are interested in contacting me, being interviewed, being helped, or yelling at me, my email is steve.e.newcomb@gmail.com.