what is high concept

[Hamboogul]

Re: what is high concept

At some point, Deus will mention the term "Four-Quadrants" to confuse you even more. It's his fancy way of saying a movie that appeals to everyone.

[English Dave]

Re: what is high concept

Something studios think they can market worldwide with a poster?

[joeld42]

Re: what is high concept

High Concept: A movie you can explain to someone even when they (or you) are stoned.

[Joaneasley]

Re: what is high concept

They're telling you they can imagine the ad posters that will explain what your movie is about -- and people will like the idea enough to want to see the movie.

So, what were you going for? Something deeper? A though-provoking theme? Great characters? Interesting plot twists? A movie that works emotionally?

It's not mutually exclusive. One hopes you have all of that, but if the concept alone is easily grasped and appealing -- an audience draw -- that's a high-concept movie.

[Deus Ex Machine]

Re: what is high concept

The plot of a high concept movie is easily understood by audiences, and can often be described in a sentence or two.

This part is right.

The rest of the definition is defining a well structured and executed story which while desirable is hardly unique to high concept plots.

We just recently had a good discussion on high concepts.

http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/...ad.php?t=21328

As well as a semi-recent discussion on high concepts.

http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/...ad.php?t=19513

[mtlancas]

Re: what is high concept

The first sentence sums up my understanding of high concept. The next two sentences could apply to any screenplay, high concept or otherwise.

[ddoston]

As some of you know, I recently had some coverage on a script I wrote and the coverage came back as saying my script is high concept. I found this confusing since that was not what I was going for ...

So I did some research on the subject and wanted to know if people thought this definition accurately defined high concept. If it does, then on that level I can at least understand why my script was labeled high concept.

Here is 1 definition based on a Wikipedia article


The plot of a high concept movie is easily understood by audiences, and can often be described in a sentence or two. The story line is extremely efficient in that every scene and character is used to drive the plot forward. Often in high concept, characters and scenes that at first seem unnecessary are later used to reveal or explain a plot twist.