Breaking into screenwriting in Hollywood means always coming up with fresh ideas. You and your reps need to send out new scripts regularly until one catches on. This requires a constant flow of new loglines and stories, so what’s the best way to keep those ideas coming?
Waiting for inspiration might not be enough. John August's Writer Emergency cards can be a great tool—an unpaid plug, but I love them. However, actively seeking inspiration can also be incredibly effective.
Whether you're dealing with writer's block or starting a new screenplay, finding inspiration can be challenging. Today, we'll explore 20 methods to spark new movie ideas and break through creative slumps. Let's dive in.
Take a Walk Walking, especially with a pet, allows you to observe the world, get fresh air, listen to conversations, and take a mental break from writing. This can stimulate the creative parts of your brain. Plus, if you’re sedentary, you need the exercise.
Read the Newspaper Current events can inspire relevant characters and stories. Headlines, ads, and comics can all spark ideas, whether for true stories or fictionalized scenarios.
Watch a Movie and Kill the Protagonist Early Pick a random film on Netflix or Amazon, and imagine what would happen if the main character died early. What new story would emerge? This can generate fresh loglines and plot ideas.
Reflect on Your Life Writing can be cathartic. What’s happening in your life—breakups, new relationships, personal struggles? Channel these experiences into your characters and stories.
Adapt the Classics Consider how classic literature can be reimagined in different settings or eras. Set "Treasure Island" in Manhattan or "Pride and Prejudice" in modern fraternities and sororities. Many classics are in the public domain and ripe for adaptation.
Explore the Public Domain Beyond classics, the public domain offers a wealth of material, from fairy tales to historical texts. Adapt these into new stories.
Start at the End Think about what happens after your story ends. This can inspire sequels or new narratives. For instance, what if your characters had to sneak back into their lives after a wild event?
One Location Stories Can your story take place in a single location? Films like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Buried" show how confined settings can enhance tension and creativity, often on a low budget.
Utilize Your Resources As an indie filmmaker, write stories you can actually produce. Consider the locations, props, and actors you have access to, and tailor your screenplay to these resources.
Write Historical Scripts History is full of inspiring events and figures. You can set fictional characters against historical backdrops to create compelling stories.
Holiday Stories Every holiday has a story behind it. Research holidays and consider writing scripts based on their origins or unique celebrations.
Spoof Your Favorite Genre Parody popular genres or franchises, or create subversive takes on them. Think about how "Game of Thrones" redefined fantasy—how can you do something similar?
Local Legends Inspiration can come from local folklore or legends. Whether it's a ghost story or a town’s historical figure, these can provide rich narrative material.
Follow Trends Social media trends can spark new ideas. What’s viral right now? A shared article or photo might inspire your next screenplay.
Biopics of Public Figures Biographical films about public figures can be compelling. Recent Black List screenplays have featured figures like Matt Drudge and Evan Spiegel. Consider dramatizing the lives of newsworthy individuals.
Parental Loglines Imagine your parents in extraordinary situations. How would they handle an alien invasion or a dystopian future? This can create engaging and relatable narratives.
Write for a Young Audience Think about what would captivate a ten-year-old audience. Movies like "Spy Kids" came from combining children’s ideas with larger-than-life adventures.
Joke Stories Develop a story based on your favorite joke. What happens after the chicken crosses the road? This can lead to unique and humorous scripts.
Villain's Perspective Explore stories from the villain’s point of view. Films like "Despicable Me" and "Maleficent" show how engaging this can be.
Genre Switch on Page 50 Change genres midway through your story, like in "Alien." This unexpected twist can keep audiences engaged and make your script stand out.
By Sal Framondi,
CEO/Founder, OPPRIME.tv
Producer, Black Filmmakers Matter
For independent filmmakers, distribution is a key factor in achieving success, and OPPRIME.tv offers a significant opportunity to showcase their films to a worldwide audience. By teaming up with OPPRIME.tv, independent filmmakers benefit from a dedicated distribution platform that emphasizes the promotion and visibility of their films. This partnership helps them reach a larger audience, earn significant revenue, form vital industry connections, enhance their reputation, and engage in social and cultural discourse. OPPRIME.tv supports independent filmmakers by providing the resources to share their unique stories, foster meaningful discussions, and make a lasting mark on the filmmaking landscape. With OPPRIME.tv as a distribution partner, independent filmmakers can navigate distribution challenges and capitalize on growth and success opportunities in the industry.
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