Question: “What are the qualities of a marketable script?”

An open forum question from Anonymous:

What are the qualities of a salable/marketable idea that would garner buzz for an aspiring writer?

By “idea,” I’ll take that to mean spec script. And instead of me blathering on, I’ve got two quotes from professionals who were kind enough to do a GITS Q&A.

The first is DC Mar, a script reader in Hwood for over a decade and a writer in her on right. This is what she wrote in respond to the prompt, “A great script is…”

…built on a fresh concept that is fully realized by richly drawn characters who are constantly challenged and tested by arduous physical, moral, psychological and emotional impediments. A great script is a cinematic roller coaster ride that I can see and feel as I eagerly and quickly flip the pages in anticipation of what tenuous choices the characters will make next to solve problems I can relate to or am titillated or confounded by. A great script defies my expectations at every turn and leaves me in the end affected, satisfied and yet wanting more (like seeing it spring to life on the big screen).

The second quote is from Jason Scoggins, a manager and partner at Protocol, an L.A.-based literary management and production company. Here is his response to my prompt, “What are the key elements that make a great spec script stand out from the crowd”:

I think a great script stands out from the crowd by definition (you should see how poor most of the scripts in the crowd are). Here are the broad strokes of what makes a great script great, in my opinion:

- A fresh take on a great concept (There are no new concepts, after all; Hollywood is all about “Give me the same, but different.”)

- Three-dimensional characters, including a hero with whom I can readily identify

- A story that grabs me by page 5 and doesn’t let me go until the very end

- A universal theme woven into the narrative that provides depth and heft to the story without being too on the nose

- Cohesive story structure (there’s no one way to go, but I think the late Blake Snyder’s “Save The Cat!” methodology is very useful)

- Crackling dialogue

- Compelling and cinematic action, regardless of the genre

- Generally artful writing, and a distinct voice on the page

Do most or all of the above and you’ll grab people’s attention, believe me.

Not much else to add.

For more with DC Mar, you can check out her entire Q&A here. 

For more with Jason Scoggins, go here.

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