Monday, October 11, 2010

Ideas upon ideas upon plans

This scene appeared in my head the other night - an action scene that would be a great opening shot to a big budget film. I kept thinking about this scene until I got an idea for a character. I had an idea for what could happen to this character, but it just didn't seem very conflict heavy and I couldn't figure out how to make a story out of it.

Usually with me the story comes first, but not this time. I just kept shifting this person around, trying to find a way for them to grow-

Then it hit me. BAM. I way toying with possibilities, thinking what's the worst thing that could happen to this person? And suddenly, there it was. When in doubt, think of the worst thing that could happen to your character, and there's your story.

I've been focusing on comedy for a while and once I finish this next script I'll have two low budget projects under my belt, but I'm ready to get back to straight up big budget action, my first love. This is like Dark Knight / Tonight, He Comes territory - gritty, dark, explosiony. I've wanted to write something like this for a long time.

First I promised myself I'd crank out the current project. It's commercial, it's solid, it's sellable. In the meantime I'm going to brainstorm this new thing that I'm already in love with. It's going to require world building.

My first issue is, I know I'm going to have to make it a male protagonist. I haven't written a male lead in a while, but let's face it, if I want to write action I need to write men, and this story lends itself to a man for various reasons. It's time to face my fear.

So now I know what I'll be working on for at least the next six months, unless of course someone pays me money to do something else.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:17 PM

    I am a male action hero. Let me know if you have any questions.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh awesome. It's always helpful when the research comes to you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous8:24 AM

    I meet so many writers with great ideas. The trick is drop some of them like a hot "potatoe".

    And keep only those sweet ideas only. You those sweet "potatoes"

    I'm sure Steven Speilberg gets tons of ideas and I'm sure he does not keep all of them. Or else we will get the many flops Steven made eg. BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED, THE BELUSHI WAR COMEDY, THE TERMINAL, ALWAYS, HOOK etc.

    Joe

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm planning on keeping this idea. It's one of the best ones I've ever had - maybe THE best one. I'd be an idiot not to write it.

    ReplyDelete

Please leave a name, even if it's a fake name. And try not to be an asshole.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.