Trouble With a Basic Plot

davidlh

davidlh

Active member
I've finally decided to go ahead and stop writing short stories and go all in with a feature screenplay. The only problem is...I can't think of a basic plot! Every time I get an idea, I think it would make a better short film than a feature.

BTW, I forgot to mention that the genre I'm writing is comedy!

It's strange because most people have a hard time making their screenplays funny, but that's not the case here! I'm coming up with TONS of jokes that I think would be hilarious to add in somewhere, but I need a basic plot to tie them together!

Every time I even think I'm close to coming up with a plot, I think of a movie that already has it and toss the idea aside, categorizing it as "not original enough."

Do you guys have any ideas, or tips, on how to come up with the basic plot? Or should I just use a plot that's been used before?

[SIDE NOTE] I mentioned above that I'd like to write a comedy feature, but I'd also love to (in the future) write a drama, or a horror, or something like that.

Is that feasible? By writing a comedy, am I expected to write comedies all the time, or are there a lot of writers/directors that change up their Genre every now and then? Also, if I do change it up, does that hurt my marketability as a writer?

Hope that all made sense! Thanks for reading!

-davidlh
 
My first few ideas are comedies for some weird reason. I dunno why. I say write an idea, even if you don't think it's original enough and put your own spin on it. I don't consider myself a funny person, but I have a much easier time writing jokes instead of saying them myself.

When I become a better writer, I plan on doing a few drama and action screenplays.
 
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Depends how similar your movie is. A lot of times writers see connections to other movies that no one else would ever see on their own. Plus, I'm sure you've heard that at the most basic, all movies can be boiled down to the same 4, 5, 7, ect... basic plots (depending who you're talking to).

What I've found helpful is taking some of your favorite comedies and boil them down and look for connections to other movies. You'll always start finding them when you look hard enough.

Example, there are a ton of similar plot points in American Pie and 40 Year Old Virgin. However, their characters are what made them each unique (imho).

And on writing multiple genres, sure, you can do it and it's a great help to becoming a better writer (although most writers are just more talented in some genres and less so in others). One thing I've heard recommended a lot, and I agree with, is that before you try and sell your first script, have 3-4 GREAT scripts in different genres in your backlog.

There's always a chance that someone will say "I really like your style here, but it's not what I'm looking for. Do you have anything else?" Bingo if you have a great script, ready to go. Or you say "Give me 6 months" and by then he's forgotten your 1st great script and moved on.
 
Perhaps starting from your chosen theme will help you develop your plot, since the plot can be regarded as the armature of the story which expresses your theme...
 
davidh,
One thing you cannot force is writing. Plant those seeds of ideas into your head and let your brain work on them...ideas will show up, but don't try and force a plot onto a joke. Most scripts are similar in story, but the uniqueness comes from the unique characters and you...your view of the world. Most comedies simply show us what we do in real life...things have to be logical to the audience...that they can in fact happen. The truth is always funnier than something that is made up. So relax, don't force anything. Spend a certain amount of time writing and planting seeds of thought into your head...every day. It's like working out...the more you do it the easier it gets.
 
I recently took a one day screenwriting course with Pilar Alessandra who visited Vancouver. She had a number of short exercises specifically for creating original plots.

you can find her info here.. http://onthepage.tv/ I recommend her DVD.
 
Hey everyone! Thanks for all of the advice! If anyone else has any, I'd love to hear!

-davidlh
 
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