“Brewed Together”: An AI-Generated Movie About Kombucha
Back in April, 2023 I played around with ChatGPT — the generative AI program that was creating waves. This was in preparation for my presentation on AI at the KKON23 event in Long Beach. I fed AI the prompt:
I want you to act as a screenwriter. You will develop an engaging and creative script for either a feature-length film or a Web Series that can captivate its viewers. Start with coming up with interesting characters, the setting of the story, dialogues between the characters, etc. Once your character development is complete – create an exciting storyline filled with twists and turns that keep the viewers in suspense until the end. My first request is “I need to write a script about two childhood friends who are deciding if they want to start a kombucha company in Bozeman, Montana.”
DeepSeek R1
Recent news about the Chinese generative AI, DeepSeek R1, caused stocks in the shares of many American AI companies to slump. Commentators noted that the Chinese AI could “do more with less” — challenging the resource-intensive approach in the States.
I decided to put it to the test.
This script proposal for a fictional Montana kombucha start-up was generated from exactly the same prompt (above) as the one I gave ChatGPT. Enjoy!
“Brewed Together”
Genre: Comedy-Drama
Setting:
Bozeman, Montana – a picturesque town surrounded by mountains, known for its outdoor lifestyle, vibrant local culture, and growing entrepreneurial spirit. The story takes place in the present day, with flashbacks to the characters’ childhood.
Main Characters:
- Ellie Carter (30)
- A free-spirited, creative, and slightly chaotic artist who works as a freelance graphic designer. She’s passionate about sustainability and has a knack for coming up with quirky ideas. Ellie is the dreamer of the duo, always chasing big ideas but struggling with follow-through.
- Quirk: She carries a sketchbook everywhere and doodles when she’s nervous or brainstorming.
- Motivation: She wants to prove to herself (and her skeptical family) that she can turn her creativity into a successful career.
- Jake Thompson (30)
- A pragmatic, detail-oriented, and slightly reserved accountant who works at a local firm. Jake is the grounded one, always thinking about logistics and risks. He’s reliable but sometimes feels stuck in his routine.
- Quirk: He’s a spreadsheet wizard and has a habit of over-analyzing every decision.
- Motivation: He’s looking for a way to break out of his monotonous life and rediscover the adventurous spirit he had as a kid.
Supporting Characters:
- Maggie Carter (55)
- Ellie’s mom, a retired schoolteacher who is supportive but skeptical of Ellie’s latest “get-rich-quick” schemes. She’s the voice of reason but secretly wants Ellie to succeed.
- Riley (28)
- A hipster barista at a local coffee shop who becomes Ellie and Jake’s unofficial kombucha consultant. Riley is obsessed with fermentation and has a side hustle selling homemade hot sauce.
- Greg Thompson (60)
- Jake’s dad, a retired rancher who thinks kombucha is “hippie nonsense” but secretly admires Jake’s entrepreneurial spirit.
- Clara (32)
- A rival kombucha entrepreneur from Missoula who tries to sabotage Ellie and Jake’s business. She’s polished, competitive, and always one step ahead.
Plot Summary:
Ellie and Jake have been best friends since childhood, growing up in Bozeman. They were inseparable until life pulled them in different directions after high school. Now, at 30, they’re both feeling stuck—Ellie in her creative career and Jake in his corporate job. When they reunite at their high school reunion, they bond over their shared love of kombucha (a hobby they picked up during a summer camp as kids). Inspired by Bozeman’s growing health-conscious community, they decide to start their own kombucha company, “Mountain Brew”.
However, starting a business isn’t as easy as they thought. They face challenges like recipe failures, funding issues, and competition from Clara, a slick kombucha entrepreneur who sees them as a threat. Along the way, Ellie and Jake must navigate their differences—Ellie’s impulsive ideas vs. Jake’s cautious planning—while rediscovering their friendship and learning to trust each other.
The story is filled with humor, heart, and a few unexpected twists, including a secret ingredient that could make or break their business.
Key Scenes:
Scene 1: The Reunion
Setting: Bozeman High School gym, decorated for the reunion.
- Ellie and Jake awkwardly run into each other after years of drifting apart.
- They bond over a keg of terrible beer and reminisce about the kombucha they made at summer camp.
- Dialogue:
Ellie: “Remember when we tried to sell that kombucha at the farmers’ market? We made, what, ten bucks?”
Jake: “Yeah, and then we spent it all on tacos.”
Ellie: “Best ten bucks we ever made.”
Jake: “You know, kombucha’s kind of a big deal now. We could’ve been millionaires.”
Ellie: “Or… we could be millionaires now.”
They share a look, and the idea is born.
Scene 2: The First Batch
Setting: Ellie’s cluttered kitchen, filled with jars, ingredients, and her sketchbook.
- Ellie and Jake attempt to brew their first batch of kombucha. It’s a disaster—exploding bottles, weird smells, and a skeptical Maggie watching from the doorway.
- Dialogue:
Jake: “Ellie, did you sanitize these jars?”
Ellie: “Uh… define ‘sanitize.’”
Jake: “This is why I handle the numbers, and you handle the… art.”
Ellie: “Exactly! You’re the brains, I’m the heart. Together, we’re unstoppable.”
Maggie: “Or you’re just unstoppably messy.”
Scene 3: The Rival
Setting: A local farmers’ market, where Clara’s sleek kombucha booth is drawing a crowd.
- Ellie and Jake set up their modest booth next to Clara’s. They’re clearly outmatched.
- Dialogue:
Clara: “Cute little setup you’ve got here. Let me know if you need any tips.”
Ellie: “Thanks, but we’re good. We’ve got something you don’t.”
Clara: “Oh? And what’s that?”
Ellie: “Heart. And maybe a little chaos.”
Jake: “Mostly chaos.”
Scene 4: The Twist
Setting: Ellie’s kitchen, late at night.
- Ellie discovers an old recipe from their summer camp days, featuring a secret ingredient: huckleberries, a local Montana favorite.
- They decide to use it for their next batch, but Jake is hesitant.
- Dialogue:
Jake: “Ellie, this is risky. What if it doesn’t work?”
Ellie: “What if it does? Sometimes you’ve got to take a leap, Jake.”
Jake: “Fine. But if this blows up in our faces, I’m blaming you.”
Ellie: “Deal. But if it works, you’re buying me tacos.”
Scene 5: The Climax
Setting: A regional food and beverage expo in Bozeman.
- Ellie and Jake unveil their huckleberry kombucha, but Clara tries to sabotage them by spreading rumors about their product.
- In a last-minute twist, Riley steps in with a viral social media post that exposes Clara’s tactics and boosts Mountain Brew’s popularity.
- Dialogue:
Clara: “You think you can beat me? I’ve been doing this for years.”
Ellie: “Yeah, but we’ve got something you’ll never have.”
Jake: “A best friend who believes in us.”
The crowd cheers as their kombucha sells out.
Scene 6: The Resolution
Setting: A sunny park in Bozeman, where Ellie and Jake are celebrating their success.
- They reflect on their journey and how far they’ve come.
- Dialogue:
Ellie: “We did it, Jake. We’re officially kombucha moguls.”
Jake: “Yeah, but don’t get too comfortable. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Ellie: “Relax, Mr. Spreadsheet. Let’s enjoy the moment.”
Jake: “Fine. But tomorrow, we’re tackling the numbers.”
Ellie: “Deal. But first, tacos?”
Jake: “Always tacos.”
Themes:
- Friendship and collaboration
- Taking risks and embracing change
- The importance of staying true to your roots
Tone:
- Heartwarming and humorous, with a touch of suspense and rivalry.
This script has the potential to resonate with audiences who enjoy stories about friendship, entrepreneurship, and the power of chasing your dreams—with a side of fizzy, fermented fun.
Other locations
As with ChatGPT, I also asked for suggestions for kombucha start-ups in other locations:
I want you to act as a screenwriter. You will develop an engaging and creative script for either a feature-length film or a Web Series about two childhood friends who are deciding if they want to start a kombucha company that can captivate its viewers. Start with coming up with interesting titles for the series. My first request is to list five towns or cities in the USA and the series title for each.
Here are five towns/cities in the USA paired with creative series titles for your kombucha-inspired story. Each title reflects the unique vibe of the location and the journey of the two childhood friends:
- Asheville, North Carolina
Title: “Brewed in the Blue Ridge”
A quirky, artsy mountain town known for its craft beer scene and bohemian spirit. The series explores the friends navigating Asheville’s competitive fermentation culture while reconnecting with their roots. - Portland, Oregon
Title: “Kombucha on Tap”
Set in the hipster haven of Portland, the series dives into the friends’ struggle to stand out in a city obsessed with artisanal everything, blending humor and heart as they discover their unique brand identity. - Austin, Texas
Title: “Keep Austin Fermented”
A playful nod to Austin’s “Keep Austin Weird” slogan, this series follows the duo as they juggle startup chaos, live music gigs, and the pressure to make their kombucha as bold and unconventional as the city itself. - Boulder, Colorado
Title: “High Altitude Brews”
In the health-conscious, outdoorsy town of Boulder, the friends face the challenge of creating a kombucha that appeals to fitness fanatics and hippies alike, all while dealing with their own personal growth. - Savannah, Georgia
Title: “Southern Scoby”
A charming, Southern Gothic-inspired series where the friends infuse their kombucha with local flavors like peaches and pecans, all while uncovering secrets about their hometown and their own friendship.
And for the UK:
- Brighton
Series Title: “Brewed on the Beach”
A quirky, sun-soaked tale of two childhood friends navigating their bohemian dreams while brewing kombucha in the vibrant, artsy seaside town of Brighton. - Bristol
Series Title: “The Fermentation Fix”
Set in the eclectic streets of Bristol, this series follows two friends as they juggle their passion for kombucha, street art, and the chaos of starting a business in a city that thrives on creativity. - Edinburgh
Series Title: “Kombucha & Cobblestones”
A heartfelt and humorous story of two friends brewing kombucha in the historic and moody streets of Edinburgh, blending Scottish charm with the fizzy drama of entrepreneurship. - Manchester
Series Title: “Fizz & Grit”
In the industrial heart of Manchester, two friends from working-class roots try to turn their kombucha hobby into a thriving business, battling setbacks and self-doubt in a city known for its resilience. - Cornwall (St. Ives)
Series Title: “Seaweed & SCOBYs”
A coastal adventure in the picturesque town of St. Ives, where two childhood friends experiment with local ingredients like seaweed to create a unique kombucha brand, all while rekindling their bond.
Conclusion
While it might not be fair to compare the suggestions ChatGPT made two years ago with the latest from DeepSeek, the script shows how generative AI can be a useful marketing tool.