Whats the most important element of a screenplay?

<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2></FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Results (total votes = 18):</FONT><table bgcolor=#FFFFFF border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width="75%">
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>salability</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>5 / 27.8%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=83 height=10 hspace=3> </td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>unique and universal</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>1 / 5.6%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=16 height=10 hspace=3> </td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>unforgettable characters</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>5 / 27.8%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=83 height=10 hspace=3> </td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>stunning title and names</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>1 / 5.6%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=16 height=10 hspace=3> </td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>compelling plot</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>6 / 33.3%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=100 height=10 hspace=3> </td></tr>
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<a href=http://p197.ezboard.com/fabsolutewritefrm1.showMessage?topicID=794.topic><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Vote Now</FONT></a> &nbsp

There will be many points of view to this question I think. I have been told that great characters and a great plot are the most important parts of a script.

It is very rare for me to actually like alot of characters in a screenplay. The only character that I can remember actually careing if they lived or not was Cpl. Hicks from Aliens. To me a script should have a great plot, a plot that is going to keep me entertained from beginning to end. But then the plot could be good, but the execution horrible.

A good read

Its has got to be a good read.

Page-turningly can't-put-down good read.

Or it won't get read.

re:re:Whats the most important element of a screenplay?

When I was making the poll I thought about how everyone's opinion would probably differ greatly, causing the answers to even out. I just wanted to see if over time one element began to gain the most percentage of votes and what that element would be.

Thanks everyone for taking a moment to vote.

if you write screenplays to make money...

...there's only one valid answer... all that follow, are just what go into making it the first...

Re: if you write screenplays to make money...

Depends on who you're talking to...

For managers it would probably be concept, quality of writing and budget. They are open to working with writers on rewrites and if the concept is right and the budget is appropriate, they'll do it.

For studios - it just has to be an exceptional piece of work. Concept, plot, characters, everything.

For contests... I don't know. It depends on what the reader had for breakfast that day...

Re: if you write screenplays to make money...

nope

for STUDIOS: bottom line - it has to be marketable to the public. they don't care about quality so much. losts of crappy movies make money for studios.

for AGENTS: marketability to the studios or a major production company. they could care less about the content. they just want to make a sale.

for CONTESTS: it's about quality of writing and creating intriguing characters. they don't care about marketability.

for MANAGERS: they want something they can mold into a flick. something they can attach major directors, producer, and actors too. and something they can sell to a major production company.

Quality matters

I'm more in tune with Ivy on this one. It's a common perception outside Hollywood that no one here gives a @#%$ about quality. Well, it's not true. When it comes to specs (and I'm talking specs here), content still rules. Sure , the bottom line is always important, that's what "development hell" is for. But before that happens, before 10 thousand development people and consultants dive in to create the next summer blockbuster, before the result of that is rewritten by a director and each of the stars, before half of the script is tossed out due to budgetary concerns and scheduling conflicts, there is a spec that's bought. And 99.9% of time it is a bullet-proof, solid, well-written and smart piece. If you look at a script before and after it's been developed, you'd know what I'm talking about.

Managers - it varies greatly. Some favor off-center pieces. Industry Entertainment used to be like that. They didn't give a @#%$ about the bottom line and relied solely on the quality of writing and originality of the concepts. Sometimes they won, sometimes they lost. Others go for popcorn flicks (Zucker/Netter and such).

Agents ALWAYS look at the quality of writing, because most of their commissions come from writing assignments where the craft is the key. Majority of their clients never make a sale at all and live on assignments.

Packaging is important for both agents and managers. But packaging makes more sense if the script is not very commercial, it needs additional boost so to say. If a studio is hesitant because it believes that the movie is not commercial enough, a manager may turn to a packaging agent or try to attract talent/good director to make it more appealing. Again, this can happen on any script of any genre. But chances are better if the script is good.

As for contests... everyone who went to film school knows them. Why? 'Cause we all read for them at one time or another. I did my share of those. They came to UCLA all the time and begged film students to read for them. In exchange said students got to submit their scripts for free... Now if that's not the conflict of interest, I don't know what is. Then they gave us 30 or so scripts that we had to read in less than a week. The rule of thumb - read first 20 pages. It's not just one contest, it's all of them, some very, very well known and reputable ones... How much do you think a hubg over film school freshman cares about quality of the craft?

Re: Quality matters

thanks! based on what you two say and i b/c most college students have lousy breakfasts (cold pizza ie) then i'll rethink whether to enter another contest or not. :smack

Re: Quality matters

A good story and riveting characters usually translate to salability. But it's not just that -- the execution is very important: dialogue, scene structures, etc. But those can be fixed in rewrites. IMHO, a good story and characters are the foundation of a great script.

Re: Quality matters

It all matters.

But, as far as selling it...

It depends on which market you're talking about. "Big Budget", studio films depend on a huge box office take so the have to be driven by a concept that can cross lines and bring in repeat business. Lately that means a book, a television show, a comic book or a sequel -- areas that new writers usually don't have a chance. When you've got Michael Chabon and Alvin Sargent writing Spiderman movies, most newbies won't even be able to close to that action.

"Indie" films (small budget) can exist in places that Studio films can't so the requirments can be more dangerous and challenging. Movies about two gay people's troubles, a boy who sleeps with his mother, etc.

"B" movies, made for cable, etc, are all about concept, something that can be marketed anywhere. Suspense and action rule these markets. An easy to digest concept is key when you're selling to foreign markets which is the way most of these movies make their money back.

So write the best damned script you can. Great concept, characters, structure, etc. But first be aware of which market you're aiming for.

Mark Sevi
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