Script Reader Pro

Generating an original, marketable, and exciting script idea can be tough to say the least. It is also one of the most important parts to the whole process of writing a screenplay as whatever you choose you’re going to have to commit months of your precious time to. The last thing you want is to start writing only to realize half way through that the idea itself isn’t good enough.

But how do you know you’ve hit upon a great idea for a screenplay? Here’s our top three indicators that your script idea rocks and is worth developing into a screenplay.

1. It’s Simple

The main conflict is clear. The simpler the better. The main protagonist and antagonist are easily identifiable. The protagonist has a clear goal and the antagonist has a clear goal, usually in direct opposition to the protagonist’s. For example, Indy wants the Ark, the Nazis want the Ark. And if Indy doesn’t stop them the world is doomed.

Is the idea simple enough to be distilled down to a one or two sentence log-line? If you can’t sum up what the conflict’s about in a couple of lines, chances are it’s too muddled and needs simplifying.

2. It’s Original

No idea is ever going to be completely original, but there has to be something about the conflict that marks it out as different in some way. Have you ever seen a film about three guys who revisit a vacation resort they frequented as teenagers only to get magically sent back to the 80’s after taking a dip in the hot tub? OK, so Hot Tub Time Machine isn’t the greatest film in the world, but it got sold and it got made; and the primary reason is the originality of the concept.

When coming up with ideas, ask yourself, “Is this an idea that’s never been done before?” “Have I taken a well worn genre and added a different spin on it?” “What’s fresh and exciting about this idea?”

Overall, the key to coming up with an original idea is avoiding cliché. If it’s been done before, or is very similar to another film, you’ll need to rethink the premise. Only spec scripts with fresh ideas behind them get purchased.

3. It has high stakes attached

OK, so you’ve got a clear and original conflict, but what’s at stake? The failure to create a goal for the hero that generates a gripping conflict with high stakes attached is one of the primary reasons we pass on a script.

As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, all good films have high stakes attached; usually because they are in some way about death. Either literal death, or figurative death as in the death of a relationship or the death of the protagonist’s inner self. Blake Snyder in his book Save the Cat urges writers to go for primal urges when thinking about creating a goal for your protagonist—sex, fear of death, love, survival etc.

This is vital because without a compelling conflict the reader will soon lose interest. Ask yourself “What’s the worst thing that could happen to my hero?” and you’ll be some way to creating a compelling concept with high stakes.

So, these three key indicators should all be present in your script idea / logline / concept if you want to write a winning script. If your idea is just “OK” but not amazing, the best thing you can do is keep refining it using these three indicators. Good luck!