How to know if your screenplay idea is worth writing

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:knowscreenplayideaworthwriting
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How to know if your screenplay idea is worth writing

Introduction

So, you wrote the script. You mom and friends loved it, but you couldn't get anyone in the "biz" to read it. In this article you will learn how to put your screenplay idea through the marketing obstacle course so you can break down the rejection door and get your foot in.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You'll Need

  • Humility and willingness to accept a new way of thinking.

Steps

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Step One

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To begin, all you have to do is have an idea that you think would make a great movie.
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Step Two

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First hurdle in the obstacle course. TIME TEST.

How long has this idea been knocking around in your head? Most great story concepts never go away. They haunt you for months, years. Did you just think of this at the bar last night? If you put this idea away in a shoe box, will you still feel as passionate about it 6 months from now? This is not to say that a great movie idea can't pop into your consciousness like a firecracker, but most truly rich ones stand the test of time.
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Step Three

Hurdle two. ORIGINALITY.

This is a big hurdle to get over because most budding screenwriter THINK they have a super original idea, only to be told by readers or execs that there are 10 like it in development. DON'T WASTE YOU TIME WITH AN IDEA THAT'S ALREADY BEING DONE!!

Do your homework. There are many online web sites that list movies development. Filmtracker.com is one of them, but it requires a subscription. Imdb.pro is another. Variety.com. Check around. Don't waste your time and passion on an idea that is being done. I know wat you're thinking. What about all those movies that are like each other, sequels, remakes, etc. Yes, but most likely they have an extremely fresh take on them, are in-house projects or have been written by an established writer. You're new. You need to stand out to break in.

SPEED is a great example of an original take on an action movie.
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Step Four

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Hurdle Three. DO YOU HAVE DYNAMITE?

When you light the fuse to your idea, does it have enough drama to combust into a great movie? Will your concept power a whole movie?

Let's take LIAR, LIAR with Jim Carrey, as an example of a combustable concept. We all believe that lawyers LIE for a living, right? So, what would happen if you took a particularily dishonest lawyer and put a "no lie" curse on him? Dynamite. To make it even more explosive, this lying lawyer was in the middle of a huge case at the time and about to make partner.

Does your idea have the combustion to keep the movie going?
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Step Five

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THE HERO HURDLE

Who is the powder in your dynamite? Character, character, character. Create a great character. Pay attention to everything about them. They are making the story combust by what they do, who they are and what they are trying to accomplish by the end of your story.

In Die Hard, John McClain was super tough and resorseful when he was trying to save his wife from terrorists.

In 300, King Leonidas was the bravest, most honorable warrior history's ever recorded. He left behind his family to die for his people. I don't know about you, but I loved that freakin guy.

In Erin Brokovich, Erin was sexy, sassy and a major underdog against the energy company. In fact, in all three examples I gave, an underdog saved the day. McClain was one man against a terrorist mob. King Leonidas and his 300 faced thousands of Persians. Uneducated Erin fought corporate America.

We love underdogs screenwriters. So do A-list actors.
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Step Six

When you've accomplished this task, move on to How to structure your screenplay.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • Love this process because it will give you an advantage.
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