This is how to write a great premise...

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nikdun

Premise.

The premise is your story stated in a single sentence. This is the
most important decision you make in the entire writing process, because
every other decision you make stems from here. It’s like the root at the bottom of the tree. Make sure your story is grounded properly.

Take time to explore your premise before you decide to write the story. Take a lot of time. No, more than that.

What is a premise?

A premise consists of an event that starts the action, an idea of
the main character, the Hero, and some sense of the end of the story. What happens.

EG:

The Godfather: The youngest son of a mafia family takes revenge
on the men who killed his father and becomes the new godfather.

Casablanca: A tough American expatriate rediscovers an old love
only to give her up so she can help her husband fight the Nazis.

Star Wars: A young man uses his skills as a warrior to save a
Princess and defeat the evil forces of a galactic empire.

Best wishes,

Nick Dunning
Head of Development
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http://www.screenwriting-on-the-net.com
R.A.D.A (Dip Hons)
N.P.A.
Hollywood Film Institute
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AaronB

I'm still waiting for him to fulfill the promise of his subject line. He has told us what a premise is and why it's important, but he has yet to show us how to write a great one.
 

joecalabre

I love SPAM. Goes good on toasted rye with mustard. I hear there's even a SPAM festival each year. Don't know if I would try the SPAM milk shake though.

As for this POST, put an ad in Creative Screenwriting, no one wants your snake oil here.
 

Writing Again

I always thought a premise was another way of saying "theme" or if you are McKee "controlling idea."

If so then the premise of The Godfather would be more apt to be: "Those who seek revenge sometimes destroy themselves.

Casablanca would be: "Even the most hardened cynic can find a place in his heart for love and loyalty."

And Star Wars might be: "Desire for adventure can be at least as powerful as love."
 

creativexec

PREMISE

In an academic sense (and according to
Lajos Egri), "premise" is a synonym for
"theme."

But in Hollywood-speak, premise is a
word for "story in an nutshell."

:D
 

maestrowork

Re: PREMISE

Yup, a film's premise is "the story in a nutshell." What's the premise of Jaws? "A killer shark terrorizes a resort town, and a sheriff, a scientist, and a fisherman set out to destroy it." It's not "One must overcome his fears to do what is right and good..."
 

NikeeGoddess

Re: PREMISE

"story in a nutshell"

but what kind of nut? how big is your premise? how many curves and groves in it's outer shell? how sweet is the middle?
but most importantly.....is it a good baking nut, better with caramel and popcorn, or delicious blended in ice cream?

if you can answer these questions......

write on!
 

Writing Again

Re: PREMISE

At least I learned one more word of Hollywood speak.
 

AaronB

Re: PREMISE

Seems to me that a recent Viking logline would benefit from having its theme explored...

Rest assured, I'm paying attention. I'm not saying anything about at present because I'm still mulling it over.
 
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