Fun with AI: ChatGPT writes a dialog guide for Spock and McCoy

I’ve been very impressed with some things ChatGPT has written for me, especially when we’ve had discussions.

However, I haven’t found that it’s particularly good at writing dialog for known characters. They tend to come off as generic if there is a discussion (it did a pretty good job capturing Rodney Dangerfield’s style in a monologue). I’ll say, I think I write in other people’s styles (including existing shows) reasonably well. I’ll give you an example of that later.

I was curious as to why that was. I wanted to find out if it understood the way characters spoke and just didn’t execute it very well, or if it didn’t get what would make something seem “out of character”.

So, I asked!

That’s one of the best things about ChatGPT. You can’t ask your car what’s wrong with it (outside of error messages…er, warning lights), and you can’t get a sense of its process.

I’m going to give you our discussion below. ChatGPT’s side of the conversation will be in italics, to make it easier to read.

One more thing before we get to that: this may be the last one I do with ChatGPT 3 for you. I’ve been debating it, but I think I’m going to pay the $20 a month to upgrade, which will get me ChatGPT 4. One of the main things is that I’m trying to understand the cutting edge, and 3 no longer is. I may re-ask some of my questions to see if 4 answers them significantly better than 3…or how different it is, even if it isn’t better.

Here’s our discussion. I didn’t directly ask, but had it show me its “intellectual” understanding. I’ll comment on it afterwards.

Bufo: Good afternoon! I’m interested in the way different characters speak: why something they might say would seem like it was out of character for them, especially the style in which they speak. Please create a guide for someone writing a hypothetical episode of Star Trek: The Original series. Explain Spock’s speaking style and character, including phrases he might use or ones he wouldn’t use. Then, in a separate listing, do the same thing for Dr. McCoy. After that, write a paragraph contrasting the two, so someone could tell how to write lines which would allow an audience to identify which one was speaking, even though the character doesn’t explicitly identify themselves in the dialog. Thanks! I’m really looking forward to what you have to say on this!

ChatGPT: Good afternoon! I’d be happy to help you with this. When it comes to writing dialogue for characters in Star Trek: The Original Series, it’s important to keep in mind their distinct personalities and speaking styles. Below, I’ll provide a guide for writing dialogue for Spock and Dr. McCoy, as well as some tips for distinguishing between the two.

Spock: Spock is known for his logical and unemotional demeanor, often speaking in a monotone voice. He typically uses precise language and avoids contractions, as he sees them as being imprecise. Some common phrases Spock might use include “fascinating,” “logical,” “fascinatingly illogical,” and “most curious.” He also has a tendency to speak in a very literal manner, sometimes missing sarcasm or irony in what others say.

Things Spock wouldn’t say might include anything overly emotional or sentimental, as well as slang or colloquial expressions. He would also likely avoid using contractions or speaking in a way that is overly casual.

Dr. McCoy: Dr. McCoy, on the other hand, is known for his passionate and emotional nature. He speaks with a distinct southern accent and often uses colorful language and expressions. Some common phrases McCoy might use include “I’m a doctor, not a (insert profession here),” “dammit, Jim,” and “I’m givin’ her all she’s got, Captain.” He’s also known for being quite sarcastic and blunt, often pointing out the flaws in others’ plans or ideas.

Things McCoy wouldn’t say might include anything too technical or scientific, as he’s not as familiar with those areas as Spock is. He also wouldn’t likely use overly formal or precise language, as that’s not his style.

Contrasting the two: To distinguish between Spock and McCoy in dialogue, it’s important to focus on their unique personalities and speaking styles. Spock’s dialogue should be precise, formal, and unemotional, while McCoy’s should be emotional, colorful, and colloquial. You can also use some of their trademark phrases or expressions to help differentiate them. For example, if a character says “fascinating,” the audience will likely assume it’s Spock speaking, while if a character says “dammit, Jim,” it’s probably McCoy. By paying attention to these details, you can create dialogue that helps the audience easily identify which character is speaking.

Bufo: Excellent..or as Spock might say,, “Fascinating.” One note: your line about “I’m givin’ her all she’s got, Captain” would be spoken by the Chief Engineer, Montgomery Scott, who’s called Scotty, not by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. McCoy. It would typically happen when Captain Kirk is asking Scotty for more speed or power out of the Enterprise’s engines, and Scotty is explaining that they are already at the maximum. Since you brought him up, please write the same kind of guide for Scotty…thanks!

ChatGPT: Thank you for the correction! Here is a guide for writing dialogue for Scotty:

Scotty: Scotty is the Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise and is known for his thick Scottish accent and can-do attitude. He is passionate about his work and takes pride in his ability to solve engineering problems under pressure. He speaks with a certain gruffness and a no-nonsense approach to things. Some common phrases Scotty might use include “I cannae change the laws of physics,” “She’s holdin’ together, but we’re pushin’ it,” and “Aye, Captain, I’ll do what I can.”

Things Scotty wouldn’t say might include anything overly technical or scientific, as that’s not necessary to convey his character. He would also not likely use overly formal or precise language, as he prefers to speak plainly and directly.

To distinguish Scotty’s dialogue from Spock’s and McCoy’s, focus on his distinctive Scottish accent and his use of phrases that convey his engineering expertise and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. You can also use his trademark phrases or expressions to help differentiate him, such as “I cannae change the laws of physics,” or “She’s holdin’ together, but we’re pushin’ it.” By paying attention to these details, you can create dialogue that helps the audience easily identify which character is speaking.

Bufo: Thanks! May I ask you to do one more now? I’m curious about a similar guide for Lt. Uhura.

ChatGPT: Certainly! Here is a guide for writing dialogue for Lt. Uhura:

Uhura: As the Communications Officer of the USS Enterprise, Lt. Uhura is known for her calm and professional demeanor. She is fluent in multiple alien languages and is often called upon to translate for the crew. She speaks with a clear and concise voice and is always in control of her emotions. Some common phrases Uhura might use include “Hailing frequencies open,” “Translating now,” and “Message coming through, Captain.”

Things Uhura wouldn’t say might include anything overly emotional or unprofessional, as that’s not in keeping with her character. She would also not likely use slang or colloquial expressions, as she is always focused on conveying information in the clearest and most accurate way possible.

To distinguish Uhura’s dialogue from Spock’s, McCoy’s, and Scotty’s, focus on her calm and professional tone and her expertise in communications and translation. You can also use her trademark phrases or expressions to help differentiate her, such as “Hailing frequencies open,” or “Translating now.” By paying attention to these details, you can create dialogue that helps the audience easily identify which character is speaking.

Bufo: I appreciate that! Live long and prosper!

ChatGPT: You’re welcome! And may you also live long and prosper!

Bufo: Let’s try this out. We’ll usually the following hypothetical example: Starfleet has announced a future plan to include holodecks (virtual reality simulated experiences) on their Constitution Class starships. Spock sees the logical advantages of it for training. McCoy is skeptical about it: he’s concerned about injuries, people getting addicted, and he feels like people should really experience things, rather than use this “new-fangled” technology.

ChatGPT: Great! Here’s an example of how their dialogue might play out:

Captain Kirk: “Good news, everyone. Starfleet has announced that future Constitution Class starships will be equipped with holodecks for simulated experiences. This will greatly enhance our training capabilities.”

Spock: “Captain, this is a logical decision. Holodecks will provide a safe and efficient way to train our crew for a variety of scenarios.”

McCoy: “Now hold on just a minute, Jim. I’m not so sure about this new-fangled technology. What about injuries? What if people get addicted to these simulations and can’t function in the real world? I think we should be experiencing things, not just simulating them.”

Spock: “Doctor, while I understand your concerns, the benefits of simulated training far outweigh any potential risks. It’s simply a matter of using the technology responsibly.”

McCoy: “Responsible? Tell that to the people who get addicted or injured. I’m not convinced this is a good idea.”

Captain Kirk: “Gentlemen, let’s not argue. We’ll discuss the matter further and come to a decision soon.”

In this example, we can see how Spock speaks in a logical and pragmatic way, while McCoy speaks from a more emotional and personal perspective. Spock uses phrases like “logical decision” and “benefits outweigh risks,” while McCoy uses phrases like “new-fangled technology” and “experiencing things.” By paying attention to these differences in language and tone, you can create dialogue that helps the audience easily identify which character is speaking.

Great! Now write it again not using your guidelines, to demonstrate how the guidelines made it better. Explain in an introductory line that you are writing it more generically to illustrate the advantages of using the guidelines. I like how you included Kirk, by the way.

ChatGPT: Sure thing! Here’s the same scene again, written more generically without following the guidelines:

Captain Kirk: “Good news, everyone. Starfleet has announced that future Constitution Class starships will be equipped with holodecks for simulated experiences. This will greatly enhance our training capabilities.”

Spock: “Agreed, Captain. The use of holodecks for training purposes is a logical choice.”

McCoy: “I don’t know, Jim. I’m not so sure about this. It seems like a lot of people might get hurt or addicted to these things.”

Spock: “Doctor, the risk of injury is minimal with proper use and supervision. As for addiction, that is a matter of individual responsibility and self-control.”

McCoy: “I don’t think it’s that simple, Spock. I mean, there’s nothing like experiencing things for real. These simulations can’t replace that.”

Captain Kirk: “Gentlemen, let’s not argue. We’ll discuss the matter further and come to a decision soon.”

In this version, the dialogue between Spock and McCoy is less distinct and memorable, and their characters are not as well-defined. By following the guidelines, we were able to give each character a more unique voice and perspective, making their conversation more interesting and engaging. Additionally, we were able to make their dialogue more specific and true to their characters, making it easier for the audience to identify who is speaking without having to be told.

Thank you. Please point out some specific examples where the first version was more in character for Spock and McCoy.

ChatGPT: Sure! Here are some specific examples where the first version better captures the unique speaking style and character of Spock and McCoy:

• Spock says, “this is a logical decision” and “the benefits of simulated training far outweigh any potential risks.” These statements are characteristic of Spock’s logical and analytical thinking.
• McCoy says, “Now hold on just a minute, Jim. I’m not so sure about this new-fangled technology” and “I think we should be experiencing things, not just simulating them.” These statements reflect McCoy’s more emotional and personal perspective, as well as his distrust of technology.
• Spock says, “Doctor, while I understand your concerns, the benefits of simulated training far outweigh any potential risks. It’s simply a matter of using the technology responsibly.” This response is in character for Spock, who often tries to reason with his colleagues and find logical solutions to problems.
• McCoy says, “Tell that to the people who get addicted or injured. I’m not convinced this is a good idea.” This statement shows McCoy’s tendency to speak from personal experience and concern for his patients.

Overall, the first version is more in character for Spock and McCoy because it uses language and tone that are specific to their personalities and unique perspectives.

Bufo: That’s great, thanks!

ChatGPT: You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

Well, my feeling on this is that it had some intellectual understanding of Spock and McCoy (although I really disagree with its characterization of Uhura…she is emotional and can use slang. Also, TOS used the universal translators: I wouldn’t consider her translating to be a main characteristic. It is in Strange New Worlds, & maybe it confused them), but it still didn’t get McCoy’s motivation very well. I wonder if Spock would always win in dialog written by ChatGPT!

I didn’t think the two examples were very different, or that it explained the differences well.

I will say, I was impressed with it having Kirk say “Gentlemen” when he was cutting off the conversation. That rang true to me: it’s something he uses when he is chiding them a bit.

My assessment, and I should probably mention here that I’m a former actor, is that it gets some of the surface appearance, but doesn’t simulate the inner life very well.

I’ll be interested to see if ChatGPT 4 does it better.

As I mentioned, here’s a Star Trek parody I wrote quite a while back:

I’m interested to hear what you think. You can reply to this, or, and this is probably better, reach out to me on Twitter:

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Bufo’s Alexa Skills

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