How to Make Your Screenplay Unique Using Conceits

A conceit is a film term used to describe any aspect of your screenplay that makes it different from every other story. For example, there are hundreds of films about Detectives. However, there is only one film about a "Pet Detective." Once you've developed your conceit, the plot points will easily fall into place. Follow the steps below to create a conceit that works in your screenplay and you will stand out among thousands of submitted scripts every year.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh ideas

1. Create a character with a unique persona. What makes your hero special? Think Forrest Gump, a mentally challenged man who accomplishes extraordinary tasks. Or how about, Dexter from Showtime, a forensic specialist who also doubles as a justice-seeking serial killer.

2. Establish a high concept narrative. Consider the film "Big" about a little boy who wishes he was a grown-up. The story is the conceit here because the audience will readily be able to envision the comedy and dramatic events that can happen when a young boy is trapped in the body of an adult.

3. Play with genre. "Best in Show" is a mockumentary. It is a combination of a documentary and a comedy. "Scream" is a spoof-horror film that deconstructs the genre by showing the audience exactly how a typical horror movie works. It is still an extremely scary movie, but it is also very smart and funny.

4. Change the look or create new technology. "The Matrix" developed the use of a visual effect known as "bullet time." This allowed the spectator to explore a moment progressing in slow-motion as the camera appears to orbit around the scene at normal speed.

5. Alter the traditional narrative. Usually a film has a standard beginning, middle and an end. The movie "Momento" also has a beginning, middle and an end. However, it is told backwards, starting at the end. This aligns the spectator with the amnesiac protagonist who is trying to figure out who killed his wife.

Tips & Warnings

• A screenplay normally uses only one or perhaps two conceits at most. More than that will bog down the rest of the story.
• The conceit has to make sense for your particular project. For example, if you are going to change the narrative structure of your story, there has to be a reason for it. If you're writing a romantic comedy and want to start at the end, there has to be a rationale for doing so.
• Most ideas have already been done. Just because you haven't heard of it, doesn't mean that there isn't a movie almost exactly like it out there. Know what else has already been made and what is in development. There is nothing more disappointing than thinking that you have a fresh exciting new concept, only to learn that a film just like it is scheduled to be released in 3 months.

Resources

• Learn about mastering the craft and business of screenwriting.
• Read the daily newspaper for the entire entertainment industry.