Qualifications for a Concept to Secure an Oscar Award
Nail that blockbuster movie script with a solid foundation! A killer idea is the key to a spotlight-worthy screenplay. Here's what you'll want to consider when brewing up a story idea:
Decision-Making: The Building Block of Creativity
Many fledgling screenwriters miss the mark on originality. Akshay Rao's (alias Karl Iglesias) experience reading countless scripts and pitches reveals that most scripts are simply rehashes of other movies, featuring familiar characters, dull ideas, and tired plot twists. Newbies need to step it up and generate unique ideas, rather than settling for the easiest option.
Ideation Essentials
To craft a story built on a sturdy idea, here's what you should have in your creative toolkit:
Controversial Topics
In the 20th century, four major issues dictated screenwriting and screenplays:
- Divinity and Spirituality: Religious and spiritual issues
- Power and Freedom: Democracy and individual autonomy
- Interpersonal Relationships: Romance and dynamics between genders
- Identity: Class, Culture, Sexuality
Heartfelt Theme
Stories that impact audiences, create resonance, and are universally relevant share a common thread: an underlying theme with universal appeal. The theme acts as a sort of connective tissue through your story.
A true theme is more than a word, rather it's a sentence, states Robert McKee (author of STORY). "It's a clear, coherent sentence that communicates the story's core meaning. Your Controlling Idea influences the strategic choices you make. It keeps your creative choices aligned with what's appropriate or inappropriate in your story.
Focus on Drama, Not Monotony
Stay away from ideas that rely too heavily on the mind for conflict - think cerebral drama. Steer clear of flimsy heroes with insignificant internal struggles.
Get Ready to Wrestle!
The idea you select must promise a battle. Remember, the engine behind screenwriting is conflict.
Sensuality and Action
When Lew Hunter says that a screenwriter has two primary emotional colors (sex and violence), he doesn't mean graphic bloodshed or nudity. Rather, he refers to the sensuality and tension that propelling the plot forward. Embrace the psychological turmoil – the raw, intense emotion that hooks the audience and rises up to challenge the characters.
Consider the likes of Medea, Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and more modern classics. In their works, Shakespeare and Ibsen tackled sexuality and power in the most dramatic of ways, yet without explicit action.
Can Your Story Hold Attention?
The story's pacing and interest level should keep the audience engaged for an hour and a half to two hours. Will the public pay to see such an amazing production? Will it still be captivating two years from now when it goes into production?
New Territory
Is the story something already overused on TV? Everything has been done before, but it's not just about doing something new - it's about doing it differently, with your own unique voice and style.
Additional Thoughts
Snagging a Sale
If you succeed in selling the screenplay, then by all means, do. If not, you have another property to add to your collection. Writing for the sheer joy of creating is what matters most. Keep honing your craft, even if your speculative screenplays never sell. Making the process your reward should be your top priority.
Write for Personal Growth
Focus on the best development of your potential. When you are starting out, ask yourself if the idea will aid you in growing as a screenwriter. Does it teach you new techniques or challenge you to push boundaries? Can it show others what an amazing writer you are?
Prioritize Your Worth
Ask yourself if the idea has worth. Do I want to do this? Can I do this? Do I believe this story is worth telling? Quality should come before wanting, believing, and being able. If the idea is high-quality, it'll speak for itself.
Choose Your Medium Wisely
Consider if the idea is best suited for a novel or stageplay rather than a screenplay. Pick the medium that offers the most effective means of conveying your narrative.
Elements of Great Ideas: Our Signature Course Criteria
- Story Structure
- Compelling Characters
- Emotional Depth
- Originality
- Unique Voice
- Captivating Dialogue
- Strong Themes and Messages
- Complex and Unexpected Plots
- Universal Appeal
- Brainstorming
- Character Development
- Research and Inspiration
- Conflict and Tension
- Originality through Twists
- Market Analysis
- Personal Growth Arcs
- Effective Storytelling Medium
- Quality Control
- Balancing Theme and Plot
- Clarity and Engagement
- Audience Investment through Subplots and Dialogue.
[References]
[1] "The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters" by Karl Iglesias (alias Akshay Rao).[2] "Story" by Robert McKee.[3] "Screenwriting 434" by Lew Hunter.[4] The Art of Adaptation: A Monster Calls. [5] Correspondence Courses - The Write Fiction for Novelists. [6] Animation Films - Soul: What is it that makes you...YOU?
- Expanding on Akshay Rao's (alias Karl Iglesias) insights, education and self-development in screenwriting can lead to the generation of unique ideas and contribute to the writer's growth as a storyteller, ensuring their scripts stand out from the crowd.
- In crafting a screenplay, prioritizing originality is crucial, but it’s not just about creating something new; it's about telling a story in a unique way, with strong themes, emotional depth, compelling characters, and a captivating dialogue that can resonate universally, making it a sturdy foundation for a spotlight-worthy screenplay.
