Thursday 14 October 2010

Forcing an idea

My script class at uni has us writing a 60-minute drama/comedy this semester. I grabbed an idea I've had for a while and developed it a little. Task one was to write a 300 word proposal outlining the story. This is so our tutor can see if our idea has any potential - whether it's actually worth a turd.

I had a few problems with mine. I knew it had a lot of potential and could work, but I just wasn't putting that across in the proposal. I should say, though, that there was one fundamental flaw with the entire premise that would have taken quite some time to work out.

Anyway, my tutor (being the blunt, no-bullshit sort of bloke that he is) told me to either make this one good or give him something completely different. Throughout the week, I often had this face:

And contemplated this:

So Saturday night I frantically tried to think of ideas. I went everywhere, from Die Hard rip-offs, to a male-centered version of Juno. But nothing really that great and original.

But in the end, I managed to get something that I actually like a hell of a lot more than my original idea. It's perfect for a 60 minute drama and the story came very easily once I had a grasp on the theme and central character conflicts. Actually, the hardest thing about writing the proposal was thinking of a name. Seriously! I actually called it "United" as a working title. Ouch! That's not at all vague and corny(!)

I'm writing this as a quick break from the two-page outline I'm writing, which is also working well. This is, of course, before my tutor reads the outline, laughs in desperation, and tells me it's a pile of fei-oo.

Anyway, my point is that I was forced to come up with this very quickly. I didn't want to do it (at that point I was dead set on the awesomeness of idea #1), but now I think it could be some of my best stuff.

How about everyone else? Ever had an idea come so quickly and easily when you've been forced to do it? Ever had more trouble finding a title than anything else?

Btw, the title now (which might still change) is "Hellfire and Brimstone". A far more eerie title, don't ya think?

4 comments:

Chris Regan said...

I had this happen to me the other night! I saw a short script competition online and the deadline was the following day. I wasn't going to bother, but I had a great idea so decided to give it a go. Wrote ten pages in 3 hours and sent them off. I'm still thinking the idea was great, but daren't actually read it back in case I find out it was actually terrible.

Sofluid said...

I definitely think that great ideas come when you have a deadline - that's why entering competitions can get the creative juices flowing, even if it is a strain to begin with...

Neil said...

Nice one, Chris! I would have probably thought to myself "meh, I'll catch it next year....."

Hope you do well in it :)

Sofluid, if only all ideas came that easy. If only.....

rose said...

Like your new title better, United was a bit "ouch" as you said! I can't handle deadlines, it's always got to be done a week before or I panic and have to sooth my nerves with ice-cream/crappy TV/lots of muttering and pacing. hopefully that's not just me...

http://dessert--rose.blogspot.com/