High Concept?
As we approach the end of another year, screenwriters everywhere start doing what we do best: dreaming up the next big script that’ll make Hollywood sit up and take notice. And if there’s one magical phrase that gets development executives’ hearts racing faster than a caffeine-fueled intern, it’s “high concept.”
What the heck is High Concept, anyway?
Defining high concept is a bit like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s famous quote about pornography: “I know it when I see it.” Except in our world, we’re talking about screenplay ideas, not questionable cinema.
Let’s unpack two of my best attempts to corral this slippery beast into one line…
High concept:
- A story idea that in just a few words explores a broadly intriguing topic in a new, engaging way that immediately resonates as a successful movie
- A story idea that is so strong it will immediately attract interest in your script
Both definitions get close, but ultimately, high concept is that magical intersection where a unique premise meets universal appeal. It often has a sci-fi leaning, but high-concept ideas can spring from any genre. Think “Jurassic Park” (dinosaurs brought back to life), “Groundhog Day” (a man stuck repeating the same day), or “Inception” (dreams within dreams). These aren’t just stories; they’re concepts that make you go, “Wait, WHAT? Tell me more!”
The High Concept Sweet Spot
A killer high concept does three critical things:
- It’s instantly understandable
- It sparks immediate curiosity
- It suggests massive appeal
It’s the logline that makes a tired development exec suddenly sit up straight and reach for their phone.
Preparing for the New Year
While you’re cooking up that next high concept blockbuster, don’t forget the fundamentals. Take some time to polish those existing scripts lurking in your digital drawer, high concept or otherwise. And hey, if you need a professional set of eyes? Scriptwrecked.com is open throughout December, ready to provide script notes and proofreading that’ll make your work shine brighter than a Hollywood premiere.
Here’s to turning those brilliant ideas into screenplays that’ll make the industry say, “Wow!” May your concepts be high, your dialogue sharp, and your formatting impeccable.
Happy holidays, fellow screenwriters! Cheers to the stories waiting to be told in the new year!
Trevor
