How to Brainstorm Film Ideas

So, you want to write a new screenplay, and looking around for some good ideas. But where to start with? What should you do first and how to nurture a movie you’ll be proud of? Birth of a concept might be tricky, indeed, but your creative searches can be easier if you know where to look for.

Speaking frankly, ideas are hanging in the air, and all you have to do is to reach out and pick one. Think it sounds easier than done? Good for you, because we’ve done some homework for you, and are ready to provide you with tips and tricks on how to brainstorm few good film ideas.

Here we go! Top four good advice tips for creating your future blockbuster!

Write what you know

Obviously, isn’t it? First of all sit and put a piece of paper in front of you and write down all the things, subjects and topics you know well. One or two of them is a good basis for the movie. Let’s say you are good in entomology – and here goes the plot about brutal insectoids from outer space invading Earth. Dan O’Bannon once did something like that: he read the article about insects laying eggs in animal corpses and decided to write something like that but with people – and that’s how the plot for an Alien was born. Heinlein created his famous novel “The Puppet Masters” being inspired by McCarthyism article… Look around – a plot for a good story is right in front of you!

What if?

A great tool to invent a story literally from nothing. “What if Nazis won WW2?” said Philip Kindred Dick and created “The Man in the High Castle”. “What if Einstein killed Hitler before he started a Holocaust?” asked Ron Smith whose brainchild – the Red Alert game series – became an immortal classics today. “What if Middle Ages aristocrats will plot and scheme in a distant future?” thought Frank Herbert and wrote a “Dune” book series. See? That’s pretty easy. What if Earth had no Moon? What if electricity had never been invented? What if people had to rival with the race of the intelligent cats (spoiler – we are doomed)?

Good old story

Everyone likes good old stories. Let’s see: a prominent soldier arrives to a New World, embraces the culture of local primitive but noble dwellers, fells in love with a daughter of a tribe chief, and helps natives to fight off greedy invaders – is it a Pocahontas or an Avatar? There are lots of good old tales waiting to be reborn. Think of it – they are ready to rise from ashes. You might want to use an article spinner to rework it, but stories of “Cinderella”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Treasure Island” and hundreds of other are there, waiting for your attention.

Talk to your family

They definitely got a story to tell. Your grandpa loves to speak of fun stuff that happened to him during his Navy years? Don’t get annoyed, that might become a great basis for a comedy show! Your auntie saw this morning a police chasing robbers? Listen to her carefully – it is a great intro for a criminal drama. Some freak stalking your sister? Well, call the police, and meanwhile ask her to tell the whole story – it might be a good plot idea for a horror. Keep in mind that any screenplay, first of all, is something that might happen to anyone. Everyday stories make great movies, because people will easily put themselves in your character’s shoes.

As you might discover – to find a basis for a story is easy. They are everywhere, if you know where to look for. Hope that small guide will help you in your searches. Good luck!