‘High Concept’ Screenplays and How to Sell Them.

Is Parasite “high concept”? What about Wanda Vision? Or Everything Everywhere All at Once?

The fact that you can ask ten different writers this question, and get ten different answers, sums up how confusing the definition of “high concept” can be.

Common screenwriting advice is ‘to sell a screenplay, make sure it's high concept!’ But what does that even mean? What are examples? Is a high concept script easier to sell? How do you pitch it?

Below I breakdown what ‘high concept’ actually means, why a high concept screenplay can be excellent for your career, and how to actually sell it:

What does HIGH CONCEPT mean?

As I said above, different people have different answers to this question, but generally the term “high concept film” refers to a movie or series idea with a big “hook” (i.e. a unique idea, told in an original way, that’s highly marketable). Something that makes executives and producers go, “How has this not been made before?!”

Usually high concept is idea-driven (rather than character-driven), highly visual, and often based on a ‘what-if’ premise (Like Jurassic Park: "What if scientists learned how to clone dinosaurs for a theme park, but they escaped?”).

Also, high concept should be easy to explain in a three sentences or less logline. Which brings me to —

Some examples of High Concept Films and TV Series

Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits with deadly high stakes. A survival game that has a whopping 45.6 billion dollar prize. (Squid Game)

After landing the gig of a lifetime, a New York jazz pianist suddenly finds himself trapped in a strange land between Earth and the afterlife. (Soul)

In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a universe of greed. (Sorry to Bother You)

Why High Concept scripts can be good for your career:

Every screenwriter wants to sell that first script that gets their foot in the door. But selling a script when you’re an ‘unknown’ is not easy.

Here are a few reasons why high-concept scripts can sell faster than “low concept”:

-High Concept projects can be communicated in only a few sentences. Which means it can be quick and easy for someone to “get” what your story is about. And that means it can be easier to get meetings, get companies to read your material, and make it easier for you to pitch it in the room. And just as importantly it makes it easier for the person you pitched to, to sell it to their boss.

-High Concept screenplays usually exist in the comedy and action genre - two genres that are some of the easiest to sell (although as we know, NOTHING is easy to sell, these are easier to sell than other genres).

-If your pitch is strong, most producers and execs will be able to picture how to market your project just based on your log line alone. This is a huge plus, because half the battle of a pitch is convincing them your idea is ‘sellable’. For example, the logline for The Walking Dead is: “Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma to find himself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. He must lead a group of survivors to stay alive.” (Can’t you just picture that movie poster?)  If the buyer can imagine what the ad on the side of the bus will look like, you’ve got a leg up.

-Sadly, a lot of screenplays have a weak premise. A weak premise, even well executed, is still, well - weak! But a high concept script with a strong, unique premise can always be improved upon. Which means a lot of studios and production companies will invest in a script with an amazing premise. Why? Because if the premise is strong enough, the worst case scenario for them is they bring in a seasoned writer to do a rewrite. Don’t take it personally, it happens all the time. 

So, how do you come up with a great “high concept” idea?

You’re not going to love this answer, but the truth is, there is no “right” way. Every writer has their own process. That being said, here’s a good place to start: Never be satisfied with the ordinary. 

After you’ve got an idea that’s just “okay”, a “started idea” don’t sit back. Chances are that initial idea is one that almost any write could come up with.  You want to take it to the next level, and the next one after that. Can it be more original, more exciting, and more uniquely you? So push it further. Ask yourself smart questions, like: How can the concept be more visual, original, etc.? How can the stakes be higher? Is there a way to take this idea and turn it on its head? What would be a massive plot twist? How can the characters be pushed to act in even more extreme ways? How can the stakes be higher?

Also, don’t worry about re-inventing the wheel: Aim for a story that’s original, but has enough familiar elements that audiences (and execs) can immediately connect to. For example, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind is in essence a ‘break-up movie’. But that age old story becomes ‘high concept’ with the added element of the medical procedure that erases the main character’s memories.

High concept scripts can be tricky to get right, but when you do, it has the power to up-level your career in a big way!

Have you sold a high concept screenplay? What’s your best advice? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!

For more industry info and tips check out these additional resources:

For the ultimate guide to pitching a TV show that sells, check out my e-book, The Ultimate Guide to a Killer Pitch

To learn how to create your “personal logline” read my free e-book, Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds.

For my in-depth video course on breaking into the business go to: Carole Kirschner’s Hollywood Boot Camp. 

And you can find my book, Hollywood Game Plan on Amazon or at Michael Wiese Productions (MWP).