In this article I’d like to talk about how to write a script that Hollywood wants. Now there is a big difference between writing a script that Hollywood wants and a script that you want to write. I’ve seen a lot of talented screenwriters get derailed by making this error on a regular basis.
In this article, you’ll discover…
– What kind of movies 80% of people want to watch.
– How to focus on your audience.
– Write a screenplay that agents and producers will love.
The following scenario is played out on a daily basis by screenwriters everywhere: the screenwriter is inspired by an idea that is close and personal to them. It is often the case that these ideas are based on a personal experience or some form of religious or philosophical idea.
Unfortunately, for the most part, these types of ideas don’t sell in Hollywood.
Hollywood Wants To Make Movies That Make Money
If you talk to any Hollywood producer or agent, they’ll all tell you the same thing… they want screenplays they can make into movies and TV shows. The purpose of all this is to make money and run a profitable business.
Yes, the demons of Hollywood actually want to make money. Truth be told, the Oscars and the Golden Globes are awards ceremonies that highlight the soft-edge and humanitarian side of Hollywood.
These awards ceremonies are also great marketing events for Hollywood, its movies and its stars.
However, a lot of screenwriters fall under the spell of these awards ceremonies and believe that Hollywood is predominately looking for Oscar worthy material (that is screenplays that have a cause and a political agenda).
Do You Want To Sell Your Script Or Be An Artist?
If you want to be artistic and creative and tell a story that is unique and non-commercial, without your vision being corrupted or distorted, then I highly recommend that you start by writing a book.
If you write a book and self-publish the book yourself, then it’s a guarantee that your story will get out there without hindrance or obstruction.
If, on the other hand, you have a unique and creative story that is not commercial in nature and you try to turn it into a screenplay, you might find yourself banging your head against a door that never opens.
Screenplays That Sell & Screenplays That Don’t
I have a good friend who works outside of Hollywood. This friend of mine is actually in the gem and diamond business.
The interesting thing about the diamond and gem industry is that you have the real diamonds and gem stones, and the fake diamonds and gem stones (synthetics) that often look more beautiful than the real thing.
My friend said that she used to get upset that most people wouldn’t buy her real diamonds and gem stones, preferring to buy cheaper “fake” diamonds and gems instead.
My friend said that she didn’t know how to educate people that her diamonds and gems were actually real and formed over millions of years by mother nature.
That is until one day she spoke to another well-known businessman in the diamond industry. This businessman simply said to her, “do most people want real or fake? Do they know the difference? Do they even care as long as it looks good?”
My friend was stumped. She’d never thought about it before. She had personally always wanted real diamonds and gem stones herself, but she hadn’t considered the possibility that 80% of people simply didn’t care—they just wanted something that would make them look good!
I find this analogy quite useful when it comes to describing the type of screenplays that most agents and producers want. It’s also useful to consider the 80/20 rule here. 80% of people want entertainment; 20% want something deeper and more artistic.
What Type Of Movies Do 80% Of People Want To Watch?
Agents and producers aren’t primarily looking for a “message story” or a movie with heart and compassion and enlightenment. All that is secondary.
No, simply put, agents and producers are looking for scripts that will entertain and pull in ticket buyers. So why do 80% of people go to the movies and what do they want to see?
Audiences have always and will always love the following elements in their movies:
– Violence (blood and guts and murder)
– Sex (and lots of it)
– Mystery
– Urban Legends, Myths and Fantasy
– Relationship problems
– Money making and business success
– Comedy and humor
– Love stories
– True stories
– Crime stories
– Transformation – the greatest theme of all! (from poor to rich; from ugly to beautiful; from weak to strong; from loser to winner). Transformation is the only theme you can rely on time and time again.
If you are able to inject any of the above elements into your screenplay, then you just might have a winner on your hands.
Submit A Script That Audiences Will Love
When writing your screenplay, consider what the majority of movie-goers want to watch. People want entertainment and fun.
Now if you’re able to add a message and some meaning into your movie, then all the better. But that should be a secondary consideration.
Don’t be surprised if you’ve written something unique and original and “quirky” and no one is interested.
Don’t blame agents and producers for passing on your script or for showing a lack of interest if your script doesn’t have any of the above “mainstream” elements in it.
Film and TV is a collaborative medium with a lot of money at stake. Before a screenplay is turned into a film or TV show, agents and producers want to feel confident that audiences will love your story and be entertained by it.
*Jennifer Sloane has worked as a screenplay agent in Los Angeles and Nashville for the last five years. Jennifer loves good movies, music and animals. A former television and movie executive, Jennifer currently heads business development at Script Mailer (a company that connects screenwriters with agents and producers in Hollywood).