So here we go… let’s explore together the number one thing that Producers everywhere, including Think Hollywood, and Audience Members look for in Premises.
What is the number one ingredient for premises, that everything else hinges off of?
Conflict. CONFLICT. CONFLICT!
Without conflict or at least the promise of conflict, virtually no one will be interested with your story.
It is that simple– and at the same time, that difficult.
The number one question a Producer or Agent or Exec will ask you (or at least feel in their “gut”)– what is the promise of conflict in your pitch?
So when you are working on your premises and pitches for working with a Producer at Think Hollywood, ask yourself:
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Where is the conflict in my story?
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Where can there be more conflict?
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Am I maximizing the conflict?
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Is there conflict present in every scene?
Yes, a lot of scripts, movies, and TV shows do benefit from an element of “fantasy fulfillment” whether it is a character being able to explore a magical kingdom, receive superpowers, becoming attractive to the opposite sex over night, or whatever… at the same time, for a story to work, there needs to be conflict.
So if your premise has a sense of fantasy fulfillment– make sure that the fantasy fulfillment leads to even bigger conflict for your character.
When looking at produced projects in your genre (movies, TV shows, books, etc.) keep asking yourself– what kind of conflict are present in those stories? How can I raise that conflict in my story?
As we see it at Think Hollywood, setting up a premise with maximum conflict is the fundamental step in developing more viable premises and projects that people are excited learning more about.
So carry on with your bad self and look to RAISE THE CONFLICT!!
Best,
Think Hollywood Story Department
