High concept stories are
novels or movies that are packed with action. They have an impactful plot. Their unique
stories are their selling point, more than the characters. Their premise is
easy to pitch in a few sentences.
I remember I was forced to
write a story like this during my final project in college.
Imagine a situation where
you have to write a story with a unique bend. That's a high concept story.
Some films and novels that
are high concept:
Inception (2010)
Jurassic Park (1993)
Liar Liar (1997)
Groundhog Day (1993)
Pleasantville (1998)
The Auction
The Midnight
The Naturals
A high concept story is what
Hollywood producers want. It has a wide audience allure. Can you make your
novel or screenplay a high concept one for the Nigerian producers or audience?
If you are asking me this question, I imagine you want to write a landmark
story, which can sell locally and on the global market. So, my answer to this
question is unequivocal, "Yes." You can pack your novel or script
with all the elements that must be present in a story for it to be high concept.
Unlike high concept stories,
soft stories are built with great characters rather than action. They have
intriguing situations that keep the reader absorbed as the story unfolds.
Their authentic dialogues, which are set to accomplish a purpose, set something
up, pay it off, and move the story forward is one of the keys to their
success.
You don’t have to frame
your story as a high concept. Most of my unpublished novels and scripts are soft
stories with a bit of action. In 2008, I entered two of my screenplays in a competition
in California. From logline, genre, format, depth of narrative, structure,
hook, concept, premise, characterization, dialogue, trend and commercial
potential – with a score of (1-10), I had 7.40, 7.5, 7 and 8 over 10. The only
thing that made me drop out of the competition was that each stage
required lots and lots of money for creative development. The grand prize was
$200, 000. 00. There were other attractive wins for the other runner up as well.
So, serious investment was required of the participants.
If you want to try your
hand at high or soft concept novel writing or screenwriting, study similar
works and you'd learn to craft these sorts of stories skillfully.
Want to Learn More About
Writing?
Become an effective writer
with my Writing Masterclass.
Selection of services offered:
🌑 Screenwriting Classes
🌑 Novel Writing Classes
🌑 Manuscript/Novel Critique.
🌑 Advance Screenplay/Novel Development.
🌑 Primary Screenplay/Novel Development.
🌑 Screenplay/Novel Consultation.
🌑 Online Manuscripts and Screenplays Proofing Services.
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to authorscurtilage@yahoo.co.uk
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