Hey guys

I posted on my short "The Unlikely Temptations of Christ", how I got the idea.

It all started like this: On a construction site, there was bubble wrap from a package delivered. I grabbed it and started popping it. A co-worker said "You just can't help yourself" 5 mins later he was doing it.
"It's very tempting" he said and I responded with "What would Jesus do?"
and from there I wrote my short.

Gabe responded with :
I'm always interested in hearing the genesis behind scripts. It's similar to the behind the scenes featurette on dvds.

So let's  hear it folks, any interesting stories as to where, why or how you came up with your scripts?

Mark

Good thread you've just started, Mark. I can't wait to hear from others.

I was watching an episode of 'Hoarders' and as they were moving furniture out this lady's home, there was dead, shriveled up cats behind it all.  I thought to myself, what if a band of cats planned an escape from a hoarder's house and I came up with "Window Ledge"(still rewriting the damn thing)

“I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o'clock every morning.”  - William Faulkner

Great stuff Johnny, it's amazing where inspiration comes from at times.

Mark

My daughter told me about a dream she had one time.  I took that, pumped it full of steriods, and now it is a full blown sci-fi feature - currently writing.

My short (posted on SS) was entirely created around the last line of the script.  I was thinking about it and worked backwards from there.

My wife is noticing that she tends to die in some of my scripts (she is my inspiration for some of them).  I told her, at least she only dies in the script/film.  I can't get rid of my inspiration!!!

I have a bunch of stories floating around, just waiting to come out.  Most come from some observances that I have had in my years of living this crazy life.  Some come from dreams I have.

Others come from OWC!

Good luck to all with your scripts.

My ideas usually come from dissatisfaction of produced movies.  I'm writing a supernatural thriller that I first started developing after seeing Keanu Reeves in Constantine.

I've written two features that started out as shorts.  Everyone (including me) liked the main characters so much that I put them in features.

The Brass Ring is loosely based on my life and my desire to write.


Phil

I love hearing where writers get ideas for their story from.

'But You Can Learn to Play'  -  I had a dream I was on an indian reservation at a little girl's funeral.  They were lowering her in to a fiery pit and the girl's mother handed me a book to throw in the fire pit as the body was going down.  The book was called 'But You Can Learn to Play'.  I woke up (in real life), sat down to type out a quick synopsis, and ended up writing the script straight out.  No brainstorming, no notes, no research, just straight typing.  I had it done in a few days.

'Thistles'  -  Back in 2003, I was 24 at the time, a 14 year-old girl from the neighborhood I lived in offered to sleep with me.  I lived deep in the hood at the time.  I just thought how sad it was because I know most of the other adults on the block probably didn't turn her down.  I wrote a short story that developed into 'Thistles'.    The character of Cora was based on the rash of abortion clinic bombings I remember hearing about growing up in the 90's.  I just remember thinking how somebody so against death and violence could let it swallow them up and death and violence becomes the answer to their problems.


I could go on with my other stories...  maybe when the thread gets quiet.

Quoted from dogglebe My ideas usually come from dissatisfaction of produced movies.

Hahaha! I hear that, Phil! It's more of a motivator for me.  ;D

I wrote this short for moviepoet about a guy who controls time with his living room wall clock.

I was sitting at work one day, staring at the clock, and I started thinking about he ability to move the day along by turning the hands on the clock.

Great thread,

I had a dream one night and woke up with the idea still in my head.

I then wrote the short "serial killer" and it's been produced 3 times and I've signed 7 option agreements for it.
Not bad for a dream.

Also had a few other dreams though they would be XXX rated and i couldn't spell the sounds so didn't waste my time writing them.

Alex

When I started "Christmas Story", it was originally intended to be an OWC script. For anybody that's read it, the first story (Cop's) was going to be it. I had wanted to do a morality tale-type thing where he had to decide between his family and his job and picking the wrong one got him killed.

The trouble was, there was no explanation. I hadn't explained why there was blood on the trunk or why the guy he'd stopped had a gun. So, I told it to my brother and he seggested the idea of vignettes. I asked myself, then, "Who's the guy in the car?"  Him and I hased out four more stories and then there was a feature.

"The Pinball Warrior" was inspired by wanting to capture the lightning of Back to the Future in a bottle (via the Clocktower) and channel it through the themes of friendship, pinball, and rock n roll.

"Judgment at Trinity Motel"/"Room 3" was inspired by 'Long Island Medium' because I hate that show. (Next, Honey Boo Boo...mayhaps?)

My brain is so random, I don't need much inspiration before I come up with ideas. A couple of months ago, I sat down and made a list 1 to 7 for short ideas. In 10-15 minutes, I had seven pretty viable ideas. Only one was stupid and unusable. The others were borderline insane, but still coherent, cheap to produce, involved zany characters, and had decent story structures.

I'm so glad to be inspiring people. lol. :)

Dark Entrance is based off a short I did for the SoulShadows series. I still believed that the story was good so I stuck with it. lol.  if you want to check it out so you can see how I've improved, go right ahead but, I would ask not to bump up that tale.

The story came from 2 sources: 1. Cain and Abel. 2. the Christian character came from a WWE wrestler's theme song.


Gabe

The idea for my first proper attempt at a spec, "Run For Your Life", came from an encounter with a cousin's friend whom had recently overcame cancer.  He was an inspiring person.

Later that night, I was pondering about a possible script I could write, and I got the idea about something to do with a cancer patient going on the run from the police.  However, I needed something to instigate the "going on the run", thus Remy came along and the entire thing spawned from there.

A short coming here soon, entitled "A Perfect Day" was a short I wrote last year on Celtx and entered it in a local competition to be produced.  It didn't win, but a few months back I rewrote it, (hopefully better) on FD and cut it all down.  The idea came to me because, earlier that day, I think there was something on the radio about a local kid's brother having committed suicide.

And my only original horror script I wrote, "The Black Bay Woods" (unsure whether to submit here) was basically written as a love-letter to Blair Witch and Evil Dead and horror movies in kin to those.

An image that came to me for a "Don't drive if tired" public service advertisement.

After seeing two hot girls with two scooters stranded on the side of a busy street in Bali, Indonesia. It looked they may have had a close call and were too afraid to take on the crazy traffic (and even crazier drivers) again.

After volunteering with an orphanage on the Thai/Burma border

After watching all The Sopranos in about 3 weeks.

While reading a volume of F. Scott Fitzgerald short stories.

After watching "Dead Man" by Jim Jarmusch.

Most of my scripts are based on personal experiences of my own. Often, these have been the ideas that perhaps weren't that original but they were still enjoyable.

For example, "Culture Shock" was inspired by my own personal experience of moving from South Africa to New Zealand when I was 12. I found myself completely amazed at how the kids over here treated their teachers... No level of respect whatsoever. That got me thinking on if this had anything to do with the different upbringings. Maybe a country with less education were perhaps more appreciative of teachers, compared to New Zealand. Anyway that sparked the idea for "Culture Shock". While I wasn't bullied like my main character, I was a little blown away when I first got here.

"He was the Enemy" was one of my more "spur-of-the-moment" ideas. The theme for the September 2012 challenge on MP was announced and the idea was just there within a few minutes. Some of the fastest thinking I've ever done.

Dan

My ideas come from everywhere.  Dreams, news, science, theology, any random thing that I see during my day.  You name it.

I'm pretty sure I have low latent inhibition, which allows me to create a story by combining a string of random facts that I've picked up over the years.

I'm turning my short, "The Bridge", into a feature that involves the Salish Sea Human Foot Discoveries, thawing permafrost, and the Belgica Antarctica (a species of insect that freezes solid during the winter).

Jordan

Most of my ideas are different takes on the familiar formula...

Clone Wife is romantic comedy where the other woman isn't another woman.

Zombie Playground is a zombie assault flick with no actual gore. Just PG slime! ;D

I like to take that "left turn" with an idea and see if there's script potential.
For instance, there's an idea I have for a comedy...  About infertility! ;D
What if a guy was secretly thrilled his hot wife couldn't have kids?

It's taking that cliche drama scene where the doctor gives the couple the bad news...
But our guy can barely contain how happy he is!!! ;D

That's an example of how I like to get into a story.
That big old left turn that tells the reader to buckle up, we're leaving normal. :)

Regards,
E.D.

My early scripts were very personal, based on my real life experiences.  Unfortunately, none of that crap was interesting and no one gave a f*ck.  

My more recent works are basically -- pick a genre, stick to its water tight rules (and try and add a tiny little bit of me If I can).  

Yeah, I sold out.  

For the record, I usually get general ideas, or solutions to my scripts problems, in the shower or when I first get into bed at night.    

Easy answer - LIFE

A little more complex answer - I ask myself, "What if..." or "What would happen if...bla,bla,bla" and a premises is born, then I ask myself "okay, what do I want to say with this?" and the story comes from that.

And that's it... but life inspires all... :)

It depends on the script for me.

I wrote a comedy inspired by Babz and a challenge she gave.

I wrote another comedy inspired by another writer here.

My latest script, COSMIC JUSTIC, which will be posted soon, was inspired when I used to do investigative services. In the field of forensic documentation, I used to be sometime hired by families who wanted independent documentation of such things as autopsies.

I was on such a case where a little girl was raped and murdered.

**It should be noted that my script is not a depiction of that case.**

Thus the inspiration for the script

Shawn.....><  

On New Year's Eve, we were having tea, some of which included roast pumpkin.

I said, 'This pumpkin is unreal'.

My 9 year old daughter laughed and said, 'No it isn't, Dad, it's real. It's not unreal'!

Something in my head pinged and the next day I started work on a new script, a zombie Western.
The word 'unreal' triggered, and the whole concept for the story hit me.

I'm working along on it nicely at the mo, roughly 25 pages in.

Stevie,

I'm glad to hear you're still cranking on that concept, brother.

**Should be noted**

Me and Stevie are also talking about doing a comedy together.

I'm really looking forward to working with you bro.

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Ledbetter Me and Stevie are also talking about doing a comedy together.

Awwww another bro-mance on SS :D

Mark

I get ideas from all over the place. For example, I have an idea for an animated feature about three ginger cats which is inspired by my own real life cats. All three have very different personalities, though now there are only two.

I have an idea for a film set over freshers week. Although I never went to uni myself, I did go to a few friends freshers weeks and things did tend to get a little crazy.

I'm currently writing a stoner zom com, inspired by the fact that I am a stoner. All self respecting stoners have, at some point, considered a plan of action if zombies were to attack. The idea has just grown from there.

Quoted from irish eyes Awwww another bro-mance on SS :D Mark

I prefer to think of it as a colossal collision of comedic collaborative cranial collusion.

Or for you lesser minds… ;D

A co-write-

Shawn…..><    

Quoted from irish eyes Awwww another bro-mance on SS :D Mark

Quoted from Ledbetter I prefer to think of it as a colossal collision of comedic collaborative cranial collusion. Or for you lesser minds� ;D A co-write- Shawn�..><

Shawn good choice of all the "C"  words though I'm glad you didn't use a colossal collision of comedic collaborative colonoscopic collusion as that would be a pain in the ****.

Regards Alex

PS Shawn I'm glad I don't have a daughter after reading your location !!! Hee Hee Hee

The Thing That Wasn't - Based on a childhood experience. My sister and I had to stay in my parents' dark closet for five minutes if we wanted to stay up and watch Pet Sematary. My sister did it. My scared-shitless ass didn't. What was I so afraid of?

Red Light - Conceived when I was new to driving. In the middle of the night, my sister and I were stuck at this back-road intersection waiting for the light to turn green. Slowly I began contemplating a worst-case scenario to keep us from running the red light. Then I thought, what if a woman was murdered at this intersection? What if she could have been saved if somebody didn't run this red light? What if her ghost now haunts every driver who doesn't stop?

Coprophagia - I used to walk my dog in a neighborhood with a ridiculously-priced Homeowner's Association. There were always piles of dog crap along the sidewalk, and I began wondering, "Who would pay an obnoxious amount of money for a clean neighborhood, and then completely negate picking up after their dog? What reason could they possibly have?" Thus began a story about carnivorous dog shit. Hell, I wouldn't pick up my dog's poop if I knew it might bite. The story's been dramatically changed since, but that was where it all started.

Quoted from Alex_212 Shawn good choice of all the "C"  words though I'm glad you didn't use a colossal collision of comedic collaborative colonoscopic collusion as that would be a pain in the ****.

Now that's a shiity joke. ;D

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Ledbetter Now that's a shiity joke. ;D Shawn.....><

Thanks Shawn, In what context are you using shiiiity.

Hee Hee

My ideas sometimes just pop into my head, usually when I'm at work or first thing in the morning.  I've often run downstairs to grab a pen and paper.

Sometimes though an idea can come from a single word or phrase I hear.  My latest short 'Man Watcher' came from such a incident.  I heard it somewhere, it escapes me now, but I thought it sounded like a great title.

I've often thought it would be good to write down potential script titles and draw them out at random then write a short story to fit.  I've had the title 'Swings and Roundabouts' in my head for a while.

I've always maintanined that if the impetus for writing is "I've got a great idea for a movie!" then it's the wrong motivation...

My ideas come from themes. Usually from something that happens in my life. Loss, redemption, hypocrisy, etc.  And then a story idea, characters and dialogue forms around the theme...

AJR

Well - IMHO - "I've got a great idea for a movie!" is a start.  But far from the end-all and be all.

Script gold is when you get a great new hook like that - and use it to explore deep themes.  In other words, it's got to be the whole package.  The "great idea" is the teaser dessert.  The embedded theme is the underlying nutrition that makes the story satisfying in the end, and memorable after the reader (or movie audience) has left the theater or put down the script.

How's that for a food analogy?  :P  (Guess I must be hungry today...)

But - to answer the original question for me: I get my ideas from everywhere.  My horror Territory came from a idea generated by a Halloween OWC.  Vegging Out was based on my desire to explore the humor of going vegan (and more seriously looking at the philosophy behind the lifestyle.)  Stream of Consciousness was the result of my wondering whether life after death could be possible on a scientific level, without a religious explanation.  And then marrying it to the themes of ageism, isolation and the grief process of losing a loved one.  Yada yada yada.  Just gotta be open to new ideas, and let the mind wander where it may...

I was walking around a shopping centre, probably mid-November and I saw a poster in a shop window of a very attractive girl in a Sexy Santa costume. Maybe a little turned on, I went home and started my outline for "The Forgotten Christmas Tape". I originally intended it to be a short comedy, but after 30 mins of brainstorming, I had a scene by scene outline of what it is now. I think one of the first words used to describe the script was "morbid", so I was happy. I nearly scared my girlfriend away when I told her that story, she said if that was a comedy, I must be twisted. Luckily, she stayed with me.

Other ideas, I just normally think of a situation of scene I would like to see, write it down and build a story around that, normally thinking of the ending first.

My ideas come from everywhere. My last short A Mime Is A Terrible Thing To Waste came from people joking about mimes in the OWC thread. I personally really like it and I know how to end it now thanks to you people!  8)

I seem to follow the format of most people here. My ideas come from anywhere and everywhere. I know the very first script I posted on here, Frayson, was inspired by the beliefs I have of children (which are very negative). In fact, I would say most of my scripts follow the format of kids being bad, or just pure evil. It's kind of a running theme that's always been in the back of my mind.

My other works were brought upon my views of the world and, perhaps, how I view myself in some way, shape, or form. It is so hard to explain.

One thing I did recently realize is that some of my scripts deal with personal issues I've had in my life. Sometimes, perhaps unconsciously, these issues are unnoticed due to the comedy that lies within them.

Quoted from usaking One thing I did recently realize is that some of my scripts deal with personal issues I've had in my life. Sometimes, perhaps unconsciously, these issues are unnoticed due to the comedy that lies within them.

If this is the case, Josh, you should seek help.

And if you're already getting it, you should get more.


Phil

dogglebe, you are quite the funny man. Although you and I have never really seen eye to eye when it comes to scripts, you're clearly a very comedic person. I applaud you for your joke.

Truthfully though, I did not mean that my stories dealt with issues I have in the literal sense. Metaphorically is what I meant. Of course, these things would only be able to be seen by me since I know myself better than anyone else. I'm sure you already knew that, Phil. You are quite an intelligent young man, indeed.

I wasn't trying to be funny.


Phil

Quoted from usaking ...Phil. You are quite an intelligent young man, indeed.

Yeah, well, this is funnier.

On several levels.

If I ever come across a good idea . . . I'll be sure to let you know where I stole it from.