Concept is King!

If you are an unknown writer looking to get noticed in the industry, be it by potential reps or screenwriting competitions, having a unique, intriguing standout concept power your screenplay or pilot is going to make all the difference when it comes to cracking open those doors!

[OctaviaRandolph]

Amen to concept. I am a novelist, and find so many beginning writers have little or no idea of what their books are truly about - what question their book is asking of its characters, its readers - and of the author herself. The identification of concept goes hand in hand with underlying theme, and is essential for the creator to understand, and readily articulate.

[margaretr]

I think it would be extremely helpful if you give examples. I think we all know we need to write something with a concept that stands out -- but how do we know when we have a killer idea?

[aginmuhammad]

Can you recommend a service that will cover my pilot and give me some notes

[toddprepsky]

What do we need to do to get access to the 2024 Blacklist?

[freaklives]

Call me an old cynic, but it seems to me the last thing Hollywood wants is an original idea, because they have nothing to compare it to so they can't estimate its potential box office. The script you mention from The Blacklist in 2022, Court 17, is still no closer to getting made even though it's basically just a tennis version of Groundhog Day, which is hardly original. What Hollywood actually wants is: The same, but SLIGHTLY different. They know where they are with those scripts. They're safe bets, or at least that's industry thinking. OK, class, discuss.