Make A Good Idea More Marketable

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  • Make A Good Idea More Marketable

    Have you ever had an idea that was "good" by your standards but could use some sort of centralizing or relatable theme or element that's high concept (I just love throwing that phrase around)? If so, how do you find this? Do you pull theme or ideas from what you've already created or do you look elsewhere and apply it to your work?

    Is this creative psychology 101?
    Smile Is Best Makeup!

    -A Grammatically Incorrect Japanese Proverb

  • #2
    Re: Make A Good Idea More Marketable

    A "good" idea can often write itself to the inciting event or the end of act 1 when the central conflict is locked into place. However, it alone may run out of gas in the vast desert of Act II.

    I usually think about the main character's external motivation that serves as the catalyst of setting up the story and driving act 1. Then Act II is about his internal need struggling with his external goals. Act III is him realizing or failing to realize the need.

    That's strictly speaking on the main character level. There are subplots in play that can add layers to the story, too.

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    • #3
      Re: Make A Good Idea More Marketable

      I have more nukes than Dear Leader.

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      • #4
        Re: Make A Good Idea More Marketable

        Some easy ways to spin something you're working on:

        -Take the basic idea to an extreme.
        -Put two opposites together.
        -Increase the stakes.
        -Unique environment/background.
        -Create special character relationships.
        -Create a unique dilemma.
        -Twist it.
        -Change sex, race, age, species, etc.
        -Reverse the norm.
        -Unique plan or strategy.

        Like GI Jane... if that story was about boot camp and all its trials and tribulations, it might have still been a good story line. But add the female in boot camp it jumps to HC level.

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        • #5
          Re: Make A Good Idea More Marketable

          Just build your story around a universal theme.

          We all want to be accepted into society regardless of the way we look or how we differ from the norm, so we can all relate to The Elephant Man and X-Men.

          One of the reasons Spiderman connected with so many people is that it's not only about a kid with super powers, but rather a kid dealing with human problems. He was pretty much directly responsible for his uncle's death, he can't get the girl next door that he loves, etc. He's a human just like us, so we understand his pain and connect with his character.

          Just make sure your story is really about something humans deal with. Even better would be a problem that you have to deal with or have dealt with in the past. My greatest writing comes from my own personal life.

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          • #6
            Re: Make A Good Idea More Marketable

            http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/Tip229.htm

            That's one of my tips on the subject.

            - Bill
            Free Script Tips:
            http://www.scriptsecrets.net

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            • #7
              Re: Make A Good Idea More Marketable

              Problem is, as was so clearly spelled out in the marathon 'charachterization' thread, is not all ideas are 'econmically viable'.

              Write it anyways. If you believe in it, so will others. If Hollywood doesn't want it, there is always the indy market.

              Or, home movies!!

              Alex

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              • #8
                Re: Make A Good Idea More Marketable

                Originally posted by Gauchita
                Some easy ways to spin something you're working on:

                -Take the basic idea to an extreme.
                -Put two opposites together.
                -Increase the stakes.
                -Unique environment/background.
                -Create special character relationships.
                -Create a unique dilemma.
                -Twist it.
                -Change sex, race, age, species, etc.
                -Reverse the norm.
                -Unique plan or strategy.

                Like GI Jane... if that story was about boot camp and all its trials and tribulations, it might have still been a good story line. But add the female in boot camp it jumps to HC level.
                Great post.
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