First, the simple definition taken from Wikipedia: The premise of a film is the fundamental concept that drives the plot. (i.e. A lonely boy is befriended by an alien.)
IMHO, that seems to imply that the premise is an unshakable foundation for any screenplay, so if a reader gives the screenplay premise a particular rating, (for example in Black List) does that mean that no matter how much you rewrite and improve on the script, the SAME reader would never rate the script premise any higher due to its unchanging nature? (Short of a radical rewrite)
Please note I'm referring to any screenplay in general, not one whose premise is "unlikable/unsellable" right off the bat: like "A ordinary day in the life of a farmer" or something along that lines.
On the other hand, if your premise scores highly by one reader (maybe a 8/10 or 9/10), how is it possible to get a 10/10 rating from this SAME reader? How do you improve on the premise of - a lonely boy is befriended by an alien??
Is it because some readers just blur the lines between premise and plot altogether and look at it as a whole package? If so, what's the point of some competitions like BL having a premise rating?
Can plot irregularities/minor plot holes affect your premise? (Like say hypothetically speaking, if E.T. had made irrational choices getting himself caught) Because shouldn't plot irregularities be an issue with the PLOT instead and be rated accordingly under the plot category?
Just wanted to clarify it better, thanks for any inputs!
IMHO, that seems to imply that the premise is an unshakable foundation for any screenplay, so if a reader gives the screenplay premise a particular rating, (for example in Black List) does that mean that no matter how much you rewrite and improve on the script, the SAME reader would never rate the script premise any higher due to its unchanging nature? (Short of a radical rewrite)
Please note I'm referring to any screenplay in general, not one whose premise is "unlikable/unsellable" right off the bat: like "A ordinary day in the life of a farmer" or something along that lines.
On the other hand, if your premise scores highly by one reader (maybe a 8/10 or 9/10), how is it possible to get a 10/10 rating from this SAME reader? How do you improve on the premise of - a lonely boy is befriended by an alien??
Is it because some readers just blur the lines between premise and plot altogether and look at it as a whole package? If so, what's the point of some competitions like BL having a premise rating?
Can plot irregularities/minor plot holes affect your premise? (Like say hypothetically speaking, if E.T. had made irrational choices getting himself caught) Because shouldn't plot irregularities be an issue with the PLOT instead and be rated accordingly under the plot category?
Just wanted to clarify it better, thanks for any inputs!
Comment