Grand Prize Winner
The Dodo by Norman Ho
Feature | Adventure

A biologist searches Madagascar for the long-extinct dodo bird, while an animal trader hunts the same prize. His mission becomes a dangerous rescue when his daughter unexpectedly joins and gets lost in the wild.

TV Pilot Winner

Rustic Inn by Mattie Bayne

A conceited teenager must learn to think outside of herself when her parent’s divorce plucks her out of her old money world and throws her into a poor small town with her newfound family. 

Feature Winner

Eleanor of Ellendale of Earth by Hunter Ridgway

The most under-appreciated single mom in the world helps humorously inept aliens from outer space save Earth from takeover by sinister aliens.

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Here are the Winners:

Grand Prize Winner

Golden Boy by Connor Martin
Feature | Historical

To save his cash-strapped soccer club, the owner of SSC Napoli stakes his reputation and the taxpayers' dollars on a mercurial, drug-addicted superstar named Diego Maradona.

Feature Winner

Different From the Others by  Ben Samuels

In the aftermath of World War I, sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld assembles an eclectic team to crusade for homosexual rights and overturn bigoted German law, founding the Institute of Sex and inadvertently discovering transsexual identity, until the rising Nazi Party threatens to destroy their pioneering work.

TV Pilot Winner

Dark Arts by Noah Lang & Harold "Blake" Hoss

When Lorne Michaels left SNL in 1980, only one person was audacious enough to replace him: Jean Doumanian. LIVE FROM NEW YORK will finally tell the true story of the woman who revolutionized late night forever.

Nic Gonda Mentorship Prize Winner

Exposition Girl by Sophia Drummond-Moore
Feature | Drama

An aging woman in a mental asylum experiences memories of her youth in the early 1900s when she was the most famous model in the world, until a grisly murder brought her career to its knees. Based on the true story of Audrey Munson

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Here are the Finalists:

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Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all for submitting! Here are the winners:

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
The Tragedy of Fred Carrasco by Caleb McKnight
The true story of the longest prison siege in American history, and the life of the singular desperado behind it.

RUNNERS-UP
Out on a Limb by Isabelle Byrne
After losing her arm in an accident, twenty-something Jenni attempts to rebuild her life with the help of her quirky friends and family.

Chasing Fate by Charlie Eder
After a traumatic kidnapping ten years prior, 32-year-old Charlie is still struggling to process it—his life spiraling downward. When a chance encounter with his abductor puts their lives on a new collision course, Charlie thinks he can right a decades-old wrong—only to discover the person he’s truly chasing is himself.

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Here are the 2025 Fellowship Winners:

Credence by C.M. Landrus
Drama |Pilot

A troubled woman living off-grid in rural Missouri is pulled into a deepening mystery when a detective arrives investigating a gruesome church suicide — unraveling layers of trauma, repression, and darkness buried in both past and present.

Show Them All by A.C. Cole
Drama | Limited Series

After a school shooting, a grieving ex-soldier mother finds herself at the center of a televised interview that slowly reveals the events leading up to the tragedy — and challenges the audience to confront the systems and choices behind it.

Rumble by Mutaurwa Mapondera
Western | Feature

In a post-collapse America, a hardened mother and her preteen son journey across the salt flats on foot, hunted by a brutal warlord and his gang of feral child soldiers — a lyrical survival story about love, legacy, and the cost of staying human.

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Here are the Finalists:

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Here are the Finalists:

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Here are the Semifinalists:

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Here are the Quarterfinalists:

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Grant Recipient Winners:

The Naughty List
Short
Brandon Osterman

Nine-year-old Charley finds out that she’s on The Naughty List and decides to change her fate by doing the unthinkable: kidnapping Santa Claus!

Our Bodies & Other Shames
Feature
Malka Wallick

When one of them is diagnosed with breast cancer, three childhood girlfriends gather for a sleepover in the Brooklyn of their youth, where they are confronted by their younger selves for an endless night of memories, secrets, and the meaning of what it is to truly go home again.

Tight & Nerdy
Documentary Feature
Jeff Nucera & Jonathan Ruane

A serious look into the absurd world of the first (and only) burlesque troupe devoted to “Weird Al” Yankovic. It's the story of a group of women who found inspiration in their hero’s subversion of what it means to “belong."

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Stay tuned for the Semifinalist announcement on our blog.

Here are the Quarterfinalists:

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Here are the Semifinalists:

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Grand Prize Winner

Tallahassee Twin by Andrew Kaberline

A mattress salesman feels threatened by a competitor who sells a mystical type of bed.

Runner-Up

The Bunyip by Anwen Bull & Luca Fangeaux

Three families meet for a relaxing vacation at a remote volcanic lake in Australia. When the children sneak out at night into the forest they soon find themselves hunted by the Bunyip, a grotesque amphibious creature with a taste for human flesh.

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Here are the Finalists:

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Stay tuned for the Winner announcement on on our blog!

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Grand Prize Winner

It's Not Magic by Elizabeth Tabish

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Grand Prize Winner

The Victims by Kyle C. Mumford

Unsure of how she got there, a young woman awakens in a dive bar in hell to a diverse group of characters. As patrons exit to the stroke of each hour to relive their death, our lead must wait her turn, counting down the minutes until she can learn the truth of her demise.

Runner-Up

Jane, Queen's Foole by Barbara A. Blatner

Jane, Queen's Foole, based on the only documented female Fool/jester in the English court, charts the rise and tumultuous fall of the disabled beggar Jane when she becomes, by her wit and boldness, the Foole and court entertainer of Princess Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry VIII.

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Grand Prize Winner

The Hair Pin by L Quimby

A young girl desperately wants to help her family in a village where sacrifice keeps them safe but causes them to be slowly devoured by the past.

Feature Winner

Coalescence by Jason Miller

A fanatical religious family on a small rural farm spirals into insanity as they grapple with the terrifying effects of a world-changing, cosmic event.

TV Pilot Winner

Final Girl F*ck*ry by Sophie Mutiara Nova

Mel's trained to be a Final Girl her entire life-- and she gets her chance when her agnostic preacher father takes her to summer camp. Stakes heat up when they realize their ill-fated family trip is fated to begin the Apocalypse.

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Here are the Semifinalists:

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Here are the Finalists:

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Here are the Finalists:

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Here are the Semifinalists:

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Grand Prize Winner

Black Death by Cam Smith

A Black war hero turned barber endeavors to build a normal life in 1923 Harlem, but his plans are imperiled by Jim Crow and the Irish Mob. (Inspired by true events)

1/2 Hour Pilot Winner

Zoey Starr's Number One Fan by Sarah Farnam

When superfan Lauren notices strange behavior on her favorite 2000s-era pop star’s social media pages, she’s convinced that the now-washed up celeb Zoey Starr is in trouble. Her fears are confirmed when Zoey is found dead…(or is she?) Lauren will uncover clues and decode messages in hopes of finding Zoey alive, all while trying to prove to the world this isn’t just another crazy celebrity conspiracy theory.

1 Hour Pilot Winner

How Are You Feeling Today? by Anna Vecillio

In a near future plagued by climate disasters, a cynical, retired doctor manages to secure a job at a local hospital to avoid evacuation and search for her missing wife. But with little help and even fewer supplies, she finds herself forced to work with an ill-mannered, and sometimes violent, medical droid to save lives and keep her new community afloat.

Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision Add On Winner

Bait by Christopher Holt

Megan Mooney leads a team of devoted online sleuths in their quest to find a woman who mysteriously vanished from a WeWork style office. In doing so, she faces mortal danger and demons from her past.

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Grand Prize Winner

The Other by Jordan Pope

An elite warrior in the Guatemalan special forces discovers an alternate world, where his father’s still alive, but his efforts to explore this opportunity are thwarted by the pursuit of a mysterious organization.

Feature Winner

Vengeance of Saints by Phillip Roquemore

A small town Catholic priest struggles with the seal of confession when a disturbed parishioner seeks forgiveness for the death of a young girl.

TV Pilot Winner

The Nightshift by Shiv B

A hapless and stressed-out emergency doctor is dragged into a game of cat and mouse with psychopath assassins determined to kill her mysterious patient.

Locus Entertainment Add On Winner

Feelgood Colors by Ryan Wagner

Alvin —a terminally ill kiosk owner in America’s last, dying mall —abandons his friends and family to undergo dangerous cryogenic freezing. (edited)

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Here are the Finalists:

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More info coming soon  |  Remind Me

Gi-hun return to the games after barely surviving and winning last season with the help of police officer Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon). This time, Gi-hun is playing a game of his own, attempting to lead a revolution that could bring an end to these violent games or see him become the new Front Man.

But how did Hwang keep Season 1’s momentum going throughout the second season? Let’s get into it!

Expanding the World of Squid Game

Squid Game is instantly recognizable for its sickly sweet color scheme inside the games that juxtaposes the violence really taking place and the cruelty of the real world just outside the walls.

Three locations play into the narrative of this season: the real world, the game rooms, and the Pink Guards’ quarters.

The Real World

Two years after winning the games, Gi-hun is hiding out in a motel that he has purchased, turning it into a compound for his ongoing operations. The outside world in Squid Game is starkly different from the vivid colors of the games. It’s grounded, but the darkness or the artificial lights looming overhead make the reality feel oppressive and inescapable.

Even in the real world, Gi-hun can’t escape the trauma of the games. The game's color schemes still haunt Gi-hun, from the pink doors to the sofa where the recruiter sits.

But the games are not the only thing represented in the motel. Production designer Chae Kyoung-sun told IndieWire that palm trees are etched into the bathroom window to showcase his longing for his family based in Los Angeles and the life he walked away from. In another room, bullet marks and hand-drawn targets highlight his determination while the dead plants, dust, and outdated calendars show his obsession.

Even when Gi-hun is back in the games, Jun-ho attempts to rediscover the island, reminding the audience what waits for the survivors of the games. The cold rain and limited space create a sense of isolation and tension as the crew gets closer to finding the truth they are after.

'Squid Game' (2021–)

The Squid Game

When Gi-hun returns to the Squid Game, the stakes feel higher and the world reflects this. The colors are more vibrant, but there are subtle differences in the design of the rooms to waive Gi-hun’s confidence.

The creators slightly alter the Red Light, Green Light room, add a new game to the sleeping quarters, and introduce new games. Gi-hun is not an expert at the games but has a slight advantage over the other contests by having expectations.

Gi-hun isn’t the only one who is being messed with in these spaces. All of the players have expectations embedded with nostalgia, making the games feel safe. It is only when red blood starts to stain these places that the players start to feel uneasy about their surroundings.

'Squid Game' (2021–)

The Pink Guards’ Quarters

Expanding the world in the series isn’t really about showing us more of the real world, but looking at the system operating the games.

Whether we are in an orange room that makes everything feel oppressive and negative or the purple Control Room that represents the ultimate power the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) has over the games, the color theory behind the quarters plays into the emotional beats of the story.

Read More: Do Your Locations Have Character?

'Squid Game' (2021–)

The New Player 001

When Player 001 was revealed to be the creator behind the Squid Game in Season 1, everyone felt the shock and betrayal Gi-hun felt for his friend he thought died during the games. Playing on that shock, Hwang knew that whoever dawned the Player 001 sweatsuit would become Gi-hun’s foil once again.

It’s only fitting that Player 001 this season is the Front Man, also known as Hwang In-ho, Jun-ho’s lost brother and the overseer of the games.

Sure, this decision seems like the obvious choice, but Hwang seemed to understand this when he wrote the season. The audience now knows that In-ho is participating in the game, watching an unassuming Gi-hun try to break the game and save everyone’s lives. This builds tension and suspense as In-ho continues to put the team in jeopardy during the six-legged pentathlon or hesitates during the voting process.

Creating a foil, or a character that opposes your protagonist, is all about crafting a strong motive for them. Hwang revealed in an interview with IndieWire that In-ho’s motive is jealousy toward Gi-hu.

“To see Gi-hun, who still believes in the goodness of people, who is still in the light—while at the same time, [In-ho] wants to win in the battle against him because Gi-hun still holds dear to his heart something that [Front Man] has already lost completely, I feel like he would feel a sense of jealousy toward him,” the writer/director said.

While we are rooting for Gi-hun to succeed in his revolution, In-ho is a three-dimensional foil that is teetering between good and evil. Will reuniting with his brother and Gi-hun’s influence help transform In-ho, or will he continue to protect the games that continue to trap him?

Why is this unclear? Similar to Season 1, Squid Game Season 2 ends on a major cliffhanger that makes you yell, “That’s it!?”

Read More: 3 Ways To Create a Stellar Antagonist, Villain, or Nemesis

'Squid Game' (2021–)

How Squid Games Lands the Ending

Cliffhangers can often feel cliché, yet Squid Game manages to create ones that work. This storytelling device, commonly seen at the end of each episode in most streaming series, creates a sense of urgency and anticipation for the audience.

Squid Game uses cliffhangers not only to keep the audience hooked but also to subvert expectations. The necessity of watching the next episode to see how the game introduced earlier unfolds or to see how Gi-hun’s plan will either succeed or fail feels inevitable. Perhaps that’s why the series was able to rack up an astonishing 68 million views within its first four days of release.

Originally written to act as a midpoint in the extended narrative planned for Seasons 2 and 3, the confrontation between the Front Man and Gi-hun and the discovery of a mole in Jun-ho’s rescue team puts our heroes in a precarious situation. Gi-hun is captured and taken off-screen, and then... credits roll. Viewers are left satisfied with this conclusion yet deeply frustrated by the unresolved tension.

This isn’t a bad thing, especially if you are planning to write a trilogy or three-season series.

Some of the most memorable seasons of TV use this type of ending. Think of the Night King and his army blasting through the Wall in Game of Thrones Season 7 or the kids in Stranger Things reuniting to confront the Upside Down’s nightmare. These cliffhangers promise a larger adventure in the chapters to come.

But Squid Game goes a step further by teasing the audience with a glimpse of the future. The appearance of two new Red Light Green Light dolls hints that the games continue even in Gi-hun's absence. What is the new game? What role will Gi-hun play in it? Will Jun-ho ever step foot back on the island? These questions race through the audience’s minds as we wait for Hwang and his team to deliver a satisfying resolution in the series' final season.

Read More: 100 Prompts for Memorable Movie Endings

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Beyond the continuation of Gi-hun’s story, writer/director Hwang has made a second season that keeps the momentum behind the first season moving by building out the world, playing with the audience’s expectations, and ending the season on another cliffhanger that keeps us wanting more.

Read More: 3 Writing Lessons From TV’s Wildest True Crime Adaptation

Check out our Preparation Notes so you start your story off on the right track!

The post How ‘Squid Game’ Twists Your Expectations—and Keeps You Hooked appeared first on ScreenCraft.

Story archetypes are the fundamental frameworks that have shaped storytelling since the dawn of storytelling—whether stories are being told through myths and legends passed down by generations, poems, songs, plays, radio shows, television series, or movies.

More info coming soon  |  Remind Me

45 Must-Know Archetypes for Screenwriters

1. Fish Out of Water

A protagonist is thrust into an unfamiliar environment, forcing them to adapt and grow.

Examples: Elf, Wicked, and Coming to America.

2. Stuck In a Time Loop

A character relives the same day or moment repeatedly, learning valuable lessons to escape the loop or grow as a person.

Examples: Groundhog Day, Palm Springs, and Edge of Tomorrow.

3. Revenge Story

A protagonist seeks to avenge a wrong, often at great personal cost.

Examples: John Wick, Gladiator, and Kill Bill: Vol. 1.

4. Hero’s Journey

A character embarks on an epic quest, facing trials and transformations along the way.

Examples: Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Read More: Free Download: Exploring the 12 Stages of the Hero's Journey

5. Coming-of-Age

A young protagonist matures emotionally or psychologically as they navigate life's challenges as they come of age.

Examples: Lady Bird, The Breakfast Club, and Stand by Me.

Read More: What ‘Dìdi’ Can Teach You About Writing a Coming-Of-Age Script

'Lady Bird' (2017)

6. Redemption Story

A character seeks atonement for past wrongs, finding peace or forgiveness.

Examples: Gran Torino, A Christmas Carol, and Unforgiven.

7. The Underdog

A character defies the odds to triumph over adversity.

Examples: Rocky, Rudy, and The Pursuit of Happyness.

8. Forbidden Love

Two characters fall in love despite societal, familial, or cultural obstacles.

Examples: Romeo + Juliet, The Shape of Water, and Titanic.

9. Human vs. Nature

The protagonist struggles to survive against the forces of nature.

Examples: Cast Away, The Revenant, and 127 Hours.

Read More: 100 Man vs. Nature Story Prompts

10. The Doppelgänger

A character encounters their double, leading to identity crises, tension, resentment, etc.

Examples: Black Swan, Enemy, and The Prestige.

11. Rags-to-Riches

A character rises from humble beginnings to achieve greatness, often facing moral dilemmas.

Examples: Slumdog Millionaire, The Greatest Showman, and A Star Is Born.

12. The Chosen One

A character discovers they have a unique destiny to fulfill.

Examples: The Matrix, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and Dune.

13. Journey to the Afterlife

Characters venture into the realm of the dead and return changed.

Examples: Coco, What Dreams May Come, and The Lovely Bones.

14. Stranger Comes to Town

A mysterious outsider disrupts the balance of a community.

Examples: Shane, Needful Things, First Blood.

15. Transformation/Metamorphosis

A character undergoes a physical or spiritual transformation and must deal with the aftereffects.

Examples: The Fly, Big, and Beauty and the Beast.

'Beauty and the Beast' (1991)

16. Dystopia

A character struggles against an oppressive society or system.

Examples: The Hunger Games, Snowpiercer, and The Handmaid’s Tale.

Read More: How To Write a Dystopian Movie or TV Show

17. The Heist

Characters meticulously plan and execute a robbery or scheme, often facing unforeseen challenges.

Examples: Heat, Inside Man, and Baby Driver.

18. Love Triangle

Three characters are entangled in romantic conflict.

Examples: Twilight, Challengers, and My Best Friend’s Wedding.

19. The Villain’s Origin

The story explores the circumstances that created a compelling antagonist.

Examples: Joker, Maleficent, and Wicked.

Read More: 101 Public Domain Story Prompts

20. The Antihero as Protagonist

A morally ambiguous protagonist struggles between selfishness and righteousness.

Examples: Breaking Bad, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Nightcrawler.

21. Wrongfully Accused

A character is unfairly blamed for a crime or problem and must clear their name.

Examples: The Fugitive, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Next Three Days.

22. The Search for a Cure

A character must find a solution to a life-threatening illness or curse.

Examples: Outbreak, Children of Men, and Contagion.

23. The Reluctant Hero

A protagonist is forced into action against their will but ultimately rises to the occasion.

Examples: Casablanca, Die Hard, and Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.

24. The Whodunit

The mystery revolves around solving a crime or uncovering a culprit amidst a cast of characters.

Examples: Clue, Knives Out, and Only Murders in the Building.

Read More: How ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Revived the Murder Mystery TV Genre

25. Monster Within

A character grapples with their inner demons, which may manifest literally or figuratively.

Examples: The Incredible Hulk, Wolf, and The Nutty Professor.

'The Nutty Professor' (1996)

26. Search for the Meaning of Life

A character embarks on a journey to discover their purpose or the meaning of life.

Examples: Into the Wild, The Truman Show, and Wild.

27. Court Room Drama

A story centered on a legal trial, delving into the many perspectives and characters involved.

Examples: Twelve Angry Men, A Few Good Men, and The Trial of the Chicago 7.

28. Contained Survival of a Supernatural/Alien Threat

Characters fight to survive against a supernatural or alien force, often in an isolated setting.

Examples: Alien, The Thing, and A Quiet Place.

29. Escape Story

The protagonist must escape captivity or an oppressive situation.

Examples: The Shawshank Redemption, Room, and Escape at Dannemora.

30. Rise and Fall

A character rises to prominence, only to experience a tragic downfall.

Examples: Scarface, Boogie Nights, and The Wolf of Wall Street.

31. Star-Crossed Lovers

Two lovers are doomed by fate or external forces beyond their control.

Examples: Romeo + Juliet, The Fault in Our Stars, and A Walk to Remember.

32. Leading a Double Life

A character juggles two or more conflicting identities, leading to dramatic or comedic tension.

Examples: Mrs. Doubtfire, Tootsie, and Hitman.

33. The Reluctant Villain

A character is pushed into villainy by circumstances, often against their better judgment.

Examples: Breaking Bad, The Godfather, and Joker.

Read More: 200 Types of Villains, Antagonists, and Bad Guys

34. Rebellious Uprising

A character leads a fight against an oppressive system or regime.

Examples: The Hunger Games, V for Vendetta, and Braveheart.

35. Haunted Places

A character explores or resides in a place filled with supernatural or psychological terror.

Examples: The Shining, Paranormal Activity, and The Conjuring.

'The Shining' (1980)

36. The Road Trip

Characters embark on a physical journey that mirrors their internal growth.

Examples: Little Miss Sunshine, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Thelma & Louise.

37. The Body Swap

Two characters swap bodies, leading to comedic or dramatic insights.

Examples: Freaky Friday, Family Switch, and Face/Off.

38. The Rivalry

Two characters or groups clash in a competition that reveals their true natures.

Examples: Amadeus, Zoolander, and Neighbors.

39. The Protector

A character must protect someone or something at all costs.

Examples: Logan, The Mandalorian, and Man on Fire.

40. The Outsider Seeking Acceptance

A character struggles to find acceptance in a society that rejects them.

Examples: Edward Scissorhands, The Elephant Man, and Mask.

41. Treasure Hunting

Characters search for a valuable treasure, encountering challenges and rivals along the way.

Examples: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Romancing the Stone, and The Goonies.

42. Soulmates Find Each Other

Characters finally find true love after a lifetime of searching.

Examples: The Forty-Year-Old Virgin, Punch Drunk Love, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

43. Past Coming Back to Haunt Someone

A character’s past comes back to haunt them amidst living a new and near-perfect life.

Examples: A History of Violence, John Wick, and The Long Kiss Goodnight.

44. The Reunion

Characters reunite after time apart, confronting their shared past.

Examples: The Big Chill, Beautiful Girls, and Ten Years.

Read More: Anatomy of a Scene: How To Introduce Ensemble Characters in Dramas

45. Ragtag Team

A mismatched group of characters unites to achieve a common goal.

Examples: Guardians of the Galaxy, The Dirty Dozen, and Ocean’s Eleven.

'Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014)

Why Should Screenwriters Use Archetypes?

For screenwriters, story archetypes are essential. Audiences love the familiar—but they also want something new. How screenwriters provide that by using story archetypes to tell their stories.

They’re not formulas, necessarily. More like creative blueprints that help screenwriters structure compelling narratives. Understanding archetypes allows you to lean into audience expectations or subvert them, creating fresh twists on familiar ideas.

Whether you're brainstorming your next screenplay or stuck in a creative rut, knowing your way through identifying story archetypes can help to spark your imagination and guide you toward crafting concepts and stories that resonate universally.

And that’s really the key—telling universal stories. The most successful movies are those that employ archetypes familiar to all cultures and age groups.

With that in mind, here’s a list of forty-five story archetypes that you can add to your creative toolkit, help brainstorm new story ideas, reimagine classics, and infuse your screenplays with timeless themes that connect with all kinds of audiences.

WANT MORE IDEAS? TAKE A LOOK AT OUR OTHER STORY PROMPTS!

Check out our Preparation Notes so you start your story off on the right track!

Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMoviesand Instagram @KenMovies76.

The post 45 Story Archetypes Screenwriters Should Master appeared first on ScreenCraft.

With that in mind, here are some simple and easily implemented ways to turn that core idea into something worthy of investment in time, effort, and money in the eyes of Hollywood and the powers that be.

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Ideas Aren’t Enough

Before we dive into the subject, it should be noted that ideas aren’t enough. The real work happens when you marry that idea with narratives, characters, plot points, story and character arcs, genre selection, tone, and themes.

You can’t even copyright an idea because ideas can be so vague and easily conjured by others. We’re all influenced by the same content, stories, and archetypes.

So, while it’s exciting when you have that spark of an idea come up in your head, know that it’s just the beginning. There’s a lot of work to be done.

As a pro-screenwriter with over 11 produced and distributed features (one miniseries), multiple meet-and-greet/pitch meetings with major studios/networks/streamers (Sony, Universal, Warner Brothers, Dreamworks, Disney, Paramount, Netflix, Lifetime, etc.), I have developed ideas using the below methods. Some have been picked up and produced. Some have gotten me into major studio, network, and streamer doors. And others? Well, you can’t win them all.

Where Do Ideas Come From?

Ideas come from everywhere.

• Our lives
• Our communities
• The news
• Movies we watch
• TV shows we binge
• Books and short stories we read
• Real stories we hear
• Folklore
• Myth
• Religion
• The world around us

You can watch a movie or TV series and see story and character avenues that were never explored. You could be reading a novel and wondering how the story could have been different if the author had focused on a supporting character or taken a different story path.

Perhaps the greatest way to conjure ideas is to ask those “What if…” questions in life.

• What if a nuclear submarine was ordered to launch its nuclear arsenal onto the world? (Crimson Tide)
• What if a little boy could see dead people when nobody else could? (The Sixth Sense)
• What if the world we live in is actually a computer simulation? (The Matrix)
• What if the Wicked Witch of the West wasn’t always so wicked? (Wicked)

The first spec script that got me into studio meetings at Sony, Universal, Warner Brothers, Dreamworks, and Disney was born from a “What if…” question that actually involved one of my examples above.

I’ve always loved Crimson Tide. It’s a powerful story that gets those imaginative juices flowing as we ponder the questions that the script poses. By the end of it (minor spoiler ahead), I conjured my own “What if…” concept from it.

Read More: 101 “What if…” Story Prompts

'Crimson Tide' (1995)

The Idea Is the Seed

Some ideas need to be grown. You can look at them as seeds to sow. All seeds need love, attention, water, and sunlight to grow. Even a beautiful rose is nothing more than a brown seed to start. It takes work for it to grow into something unique and beautiful.

Ideas can start as a logline, core concept, or gimmick (more on that below). They can even start as a simple visual you get stuck in your head.

• A character with a solemn gaze is sitting in the back of a police car.
• A person flying high above the clouds.
• A terrifying cornfield at night with a set of glowing eyes within it.

These are all examples of ideas that need to be tended to grow into a novel, feature screenplay, or television series.

These ideas could turn into anything, depending on how you “water” them.

• The character in the back of the police car could be a wrongfully arrested innocent.
• The person flying above the clouds could be a winged demon looking for an angel to kill.
• The being with glowing eyes could be an innocent alien creature abandoned on Earth.

How to Water the Idea Seed

This is the fun part. Identifying your idea as a seed will help you do the work to handle it with care at first.

Too many writers jump into the writing process too early, never really developing their ideas—never really giving them a chance to grow.

You can water the seed (develop your idea) in many ways.

Find the Genre

Identifying what genre you want to tell the story within is key:

• Is your idea best suited as a drama, focusing on the realistic issues, emotions, and struggles your characters are going through?
• Is it going to be funny?
• Will it be a rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns?
• Is it going to be an intriguing genre blend, melding two distinct genres together to enhance the impact and allure?

When you find the genre, you’re watering that idea seed with particular needs to fall under the branch of genre you’ve chosen. When you have general boxes that need to be checked for an idea to fall under a certain genre umbrella, it entices more creativity to come.

Read More: 101 Genre-Blend Story Prompts

Watch Movies

Once you know the genre, it’s time to do some creative research. This process isn’t about finding authentic factors to attach to your idea. It’s about diving into the genre and watching everything you can.

When you do this, your mind will start cherry-picking certain genre elements that fit best with your idea. It’s almost as if the analogy changes from your idea of being a seed that needs to grow to a mound of clay that you will add more and more to each time you watch a genre example. Slowly, you will start molding your idea into something more unique and special.

You can:

• Attach a character archetype you see in another movie to your idea.
• Place your idea into a certain story arc you’ve seen in other movies in that genre.
• Find a commonality between your idea and other successful movies while doing your best to subvert expectations (more on that below).

Read More: 5 Things Screenwriters Should Study While Watching Movies

Daydream

Again, don’t jump into the writing process. Give your idea some room and time to breathe.

All of the work you’ve done above needs to marinate a bit. You do this by visualizing the story and characters that you’re building around your idea. You can do this on your drive to work, while taking the dog for a walk, while cutting the grass or shoveling the snow, while working out, while relaxing and listening to music, while daydreaming at school or work, etc.

Let everything breathe, marinate, and settle a bit. Your brain will do a lot of the work for you. It will all come together.

'Chungking Express' (1994)

Move Past the Gimmick

A lot of ideas are just gimmicks to start.

• A character wakes up with superpowers.
• A character finds a portal into a fantasy world.
• A character builds a time machine.
• A character wants to become an assassin.
• An Amish character wants to experience the technological world.

These aren’t fully fleshed-out ideas. These are gimmicks. You need to find the depth of those gimmicks by attaching them to narratives, plots, characters' story arcs, genres, etc.

• A character wakes up with superpowers and decides to use them to rob banks to give back to the poor.
• A character finds a portal into a fantasy world that strangely mirrors their own life in many ways, tasking them with the challenge of balancing their life in the fantasy world with their life in the real world.
• A character builds a time machine, only to learn that if they decide to use it, they can never return to their original timeline.
• A character wants to become an assassin, but they are a bumbling, clumsy man-child who can’t stand the sight of blood and has no skills to speak of.
• An Amish character wants to experience the technological world only to discover that they have a vast embedded intelligence that could create one of the most technological advances in the history of humankind.

These are all just the start of moving past the initial one-note gimmick and attaching necessary storytelling elements to create more depth and conceptual impact.

Read More: Three Fun Games To Help You Find Better Screenplay Ideas

'Hot Tub Time Machine 2' (2015)

Ask Story Development Questions

This is where the true development of an idea begins. There are questions you can ask yourself to trigger your imagination and get your creative juices flowing.

• Who is the protagonist?
• What is their external conflict?
• What is their internal conflict?
• Who or what is the antagonist?
• Where does the story take place?
• How can you raise the stakes even more?

Some writers rely on established formulas, structured frameworks, or detailed beat sheets to shape their stories. Those are all viable practices. However, the truly insightful and talented writers go deeper. They take the time to ask themselves as many thoughtful questions as possible.

Why? Because questions push the mind to explore and to seek answers. And the answers that emerge from this mental and imaginative exploration are the essence of your story and its characters.

These questions—and the insights they reveal—become your compass, guiding you through the development process. They help you craft narratives that are deeply engaging, emotionally resonant, and unforgettable for your audience.

Development is a flexible and creative process you can engage in anywhere, anytime. You don’t need to be sitting at a keyboard or scribbling in a notebook to make progress.

You can pose these pivotal questions during everyday moments in your life.

Allow your mind to roam freely. Meditate, daydream, or simply reflect. This creative wandering is where the seeds of your stories take root and grow.

Read More: The Ultimate List of Story Development Questions

'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar' (2023)

Make Sure Your Ideas Haven't Been Done Before

It never hurts to do a little background research for your concept. A simple Google search can do wonders to make sure that the avenue you’re taking with your idea hasn’t already been done—at least in the you want to tell the story.

Always Strive to Subvert Expectations

This is the key to developing a compelling idea! Since we know that most ideas and concepts have been done in one similar way or another, we also know that the only way your idea stands out is by offering something new.

Now, Hollywood usually offers what audiences want most—something familiar. But they equally want a new familiar. This is where subverting expectations come in.

When you’re dealing with certain genres and certain types of concepts, there are expectations from the audience (and, thus, from Hollywood as well).

If a genre or concept trope generally leads down one path, find a way to lead the audience down a surprisingly different path. Shake things up. Flip an otherwise familiar concept on its head.

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There’s no secret formula to do this. If there were, we’d all be rich. The key thing is to let your imagination run wild on any idea you’ve conjured. The answers will eventually present themselves.

Read More: Writing Toward and Against Expectations

Try our Genre Notes and get matched with a reader with relevant industry experience!

Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMoviesand Instagram @KenMovies76.