Stop looking for great movie ideas
Summary
TLDRThe video script emphasizes that the success of a film lies not in the uniqueness of its idea, but in the execution of that idea. It uses examples from renowned movies like 'The Shawshank Redemption' and 'The Godfather' to illustrate that even common storylines can become masterpieces through thoughtful storytelling and creative choices. The speaker encourages aspiring filmmakers to focus on the execution of their ideas rather than waiting for a perfect concept, highlighting that hard work, preparation, and personal growth will enhance their filmmaking over time.
Takeaways
- π‘ Execution is more important than the idea itself in filmmaking.
- π¬ IMDB top 250 movies show that even common ideas can become great films with excellent execution.
- π Story ideas are plentiful and most have been told in various forms, adhering to the notion that there are only seven basic story plots.
- π₯ A film's success often lies in the unique perspectives, experiences, and tastes of the filmmaker.
- π₯ Great films often stand out due to thoughtful choices in cinematography, character development, and narrative structure.
- π The magic of filmmaking lies in the creative execution of a basic idea, not the idea itself.
- πΌ Hard work and preparation are crucial to the successful execution of a film idea.
- π Filmmakers should focus on how to make their mark on an idea rather than searching for a 'perfect' idea.
- π« Worrying about idea theft is unnecessary as it's the intangibles and personal choices that make an idea truly unique.
- π± Beginner filmmakers can learn and grow over time, leading to better execution and more personal films.
Q & A
What is the main argument presented in the video regarding film ideas?
-The main argument is that the idea for a film is less important than the execution of the idea. While many ideas may sound generic on paper, it's the unique and thoughtful way they are brought to life that makes a film stand out and resonate with audiences.
How does the video illustrate the point about the importance of execution over idea?
-The video uses examples from highly acclaimed films like 'The Shawshank Redemption', 'The Godfather', 'The Dark Knight', and 'Fight Club' to show that even though their basic plot ideas might not seem extraordinary, it's the execution, including the characters, cinematography, and storytelling, that makes them memorable and loved by audiences.
What are some factors that contribute to good execution in filmmaking?
-Good execution in filmmaking involves factors such as hard work, preparation, perspective, experience, and taste. These elements help filmmakers to elevate a simple idea or plot into an excellent film.
How does the video suggest filmmakers can improve their execution skills?
-The video suggests that filmmakers can improve their execution skills by continuously making movies, growing as a person, and learning from their experiences. Over time, they will develop a better understanding of how to bring their ideas to life in a unique and compelling way.
What is the common misconception about film ideas that the video aims to dispel?
-The video aims to dispel the misconception that a film's success depends on having a unique or perfect idea. Instead, it emphasizes that it's the filmmaker's ability to execute the idea in an amazing way that truly matters.
Why shouldn't filmmakers worry about others stealing their ideas?
-Filmmakers shouldn't worry about idea theft because the true value lies in the intangibles and the choices made during the development and execution of the idea. These unique elements cannot be replicated by someone else, making the original filmmaker's vision irreplaceable.
What was the author's personal realization about film ideas?
-The author realized that the idea itself for their film about cavemen wasn't what made it great. It was the unique perspective, the choices they would have made during the filmmaking process, and the personal touch they would have added to the idea that truly mattered.
How does the video encourage beginner filmmakers?
-The video encourages beginner filmmakers by telling them that they don't need a perfect idea to start making films. Instead, they should focus on how they can execute their ideas in an amazing way and that their skills will naturally improve over time with practice and experience.
What is the advice given to filmmakers who are waiting for the 'perfect' idea?
-The advice given is to stop waiting for a perfect idea and instead focus on the execution of the ideas they already have. Filmmakers should start developing their movies by considering how they can make the execution of their ideas stand out and be amazing.
How does the video's perspective on film ideas apply to other creative fields?
-The perspective that execution is more important than the idea can be applied to other creative fields such as writing, art, music, and more. In these fields, it's also the way an idea is crafted, presented, and brought to life that truly makes it unique and impactful.
Outlines
π¬ The Importance of Execution in Filmmaking
This paragraph emphasizes that the success of a film is not determined by the uniqueness of its idea, but rather by the execution of that idea. The speaker uses examples from IMDb's top 250 movies to illustrate that even common storylines can become great films through thoughtful and unique execution. The paragraph discusses how the details, such as character development, cinematography, and narrative perspective, can transform a simple idea into a memorable movie. The speaker encourages budding filmmakers to focus on the execution of their ideas rather than waiting for a 'perfect' idea, and to remember that hard work and personal growth will naturally improve their filmmaking over time.
π‘ Overcoming Fear of Idea Theft and the Value of Personal Touch
In this paragraph, the speaker shares a personal anecdote about how their once-in-a-lifetime movie idea was taken up by a neighbor, leading to initial feelings of rage and panic. However, they eventually realized that the true value of a film idea lies in the intangibles and unique choices that the creator brings to its development. The speaker advises not to worry about idea theft, as the personal touch and execution cannot be replicated by others. The paragraph concludes with an encouragement to start making films without waiting for a perfect idea, focusing instead on how to execute the idea in an amazing way.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Execution
π‘Idea
π‘Storytelling
π‘Cinematography
π‘Character Development
π‘Perspective
π‘Preparation
π‘Experience
π‘Creativity
π‘Filmmaking
π‘Ideation
Highlights
The idea for a film is less important than its execution.
IMDb top 250 movies show that even common ideas can be highly successful with the right execution.
The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, and The Dark Knight are examples of films with simple ideas but exceptional storytelling.
Story ideas are a dime a dozen; most have been done before in some form.
The magic of filmmaking lies in the execution of basic ideas, not the ideas themselves.
Supporting characters and unique perspectives can greatly enrich a film's narrative.
Great execution in filmmaking involves hard work, preparation, perspective, experience, and taste.
As filmmakers grow, they can take simple ideas and turn them into excellent films through improved execution.
The director's unique perspective and personal touch can make a common plot stand out.
Filmmakers should focus on how to make their mark on an idea rather than waiting for a perfect idea.
Ideas are not as valuable as the execution; what matters is the filmmaker's unique approach to bringing the idea to life.
Filmmakers should not fear having their ideas stolen, as the true value lies in the personal execution of the idea.
A great film can be made by focusing on amazing execution rather than an amazing idea.
The key to filmmaking success is the ability to make unique and thoughtful choices within the idea.
Even the most overused plots can be made original through the filmmaker's distinctive execution.
Transcripts
good news if you want to make a film you
don't need to keep waiting around for
that perfect idea because the idea for a
film is actually much much less
important than the execution of the idea
and in this video i'm going to prove to
you and show you
all right let's take a quick look at the
imdb top 250 movies and see how strong
the ideas for the films really are the
shawshank redemption what's the idea a
man who was wrongfully imprisoned
finally breaks out of prison
the godfather a mob family in the 40s
passes leadership down to the boss's son
the dark knight batman must save gotham
from joker and two-face
12 angry men a jury deliberates a murder
case the good the bad and the ugly three
gun slingers vie for a buried treasure
fight club as crazy guy starts a secret
club fighting
do you notice anything about these ideas
they don't sound that great on paper do
you know why because they really aren't
and those are supposed to be the most
loved movies on imdb the truth is no
matter what you come up with story ideas
are a dime a dozen and for all intents
and purposes they have all been done in
one form or another in fact some would
argue that there are only seven story
plots that have ever been told
[Music]
so if there's nothing new under the sun
then why do some movies resonate with an
audience while others don't because of
how a basic idea is executed that is
where the magic of filmmaking and
storytelling in general lives so let's
go over some of those movies again
shawshank we tell the man's story from
his friend's perspective not his he
handles imprisonment with surprising
grace and we come to see that he was
imprisoned before shawshank and being
trapped in shawshank taught him how to
be truly free and redeem himself every
supporting character is fully unique and
alive with the interesting stories of
their own it's a period piece spanning
decades morgan freeman narrates the
story and a time before morgan freeman
was narrating everything so yes it's a
movie about a guy breaking out of prison
but it was executed in a very thoughtful
unique way go with the godfather i don't
know where to start incredible
cinematography characters just draped in
shadow you got fresh-faced young al
pacino who's paired up with the
legendary marlin brando you've got the
intertwining of business and family in
every aspect of the film you got love
and violence going hand in hand with
that theme just incredibly well executed
film let's take the dark knight how many
batman movies have we seen at this point
but what if it's executed in a much
grittier darker way than we've ever seen
batman before what if the joker is
portrayed as this anarchist really
disturbing vision of what the joker
could be what if it starts with a great
bank heist but it subverts your
expectations at every turn while
displaying how ruthless and brilliant
the joker really is what if the batman's
character arc from hero to villain in
the public eye is mimicked by harvey
dent as he turns into two-face what if
two faces not a cartoonish two-face but
a real disfigured two-face from all the
burns that he suffered how about these
giant practical stunts over cgi how
about a pounding han zimmer score these
are the kinds of choices within the idea
of the film that make them stand out
films this is the execution so how do
you the budding filmmaker execute your
idea well too well a lot of good
execution just comes down to hard work
and preparation and the rest of it comes
down to things like perspective
experience and taste and this should
actually be very encouraging to hear for
a beginner filmmaker because guess what
all of that will come naturally over
time as you keep making more movies and
just growing as a person so as you
progress as a filmmaker you'll be able
to take the most simple idea or plot and
elevate it into an excellent film i mean
look at the movie drive it's the most
simple plot ever it's been done 100
times before oh a getaway driver who
falls in love but it wasn't the idea of
the film that made it work so well it
was the director's ability to combine a
unique perspective on these kinds of
stories with his own experience and
taste then he just worked his ass off he
actually moved into a house with the
writer and cast drove around to la at
night together studied other movies
eventually made the edit suite
part of his house until he figured out
his execution of drive and taken the
simple idea of a getaway driver who
falls in love and turned it into one of
the best movies of 2011 so the reason
i'm telling you this and making this
video is so many filmmakers myself
included get hung up on not having a
good enough idea for a movie and that
becomes their excuse to never make
anything but the truth is you probably
have tons of great ideas because one
movie idea isn't necessarily any better
than another and instead of worrying
about which idea to choose you should be
focusing your time and energy on how you
could put your own unique stink on one
of your many ideas and make the
execution amazing for example me and my
writing partner have wanted to make a
low budget horror film for years but
we've always dismissed the idea of doing
some cheap one location scary film and a
cabin out in the woods we just said it's
been done way too many times and that's
true so we kept waiting around for a
better idea but the truth is it's never
been done the way we would have done it
which means it's not been done at all
which means it's not a bad idea at all a
few years ago i was writing what i
thought was going to be my opus it was a
movie that i knew would be almost
impossible to actually get made but i
was incredibly confident that it would
be the best movie i ever could make and
just a once in a lifetime idea and one
of my neighbors was a beginner filmmaker
and i mentioned the idea for the movie
to him it was about cavemen and i went
on for a while about how nobody makes
caveman movies
and a couple months later i heard he was
going off to make a short film about
cavemen
i don't have much of an appetite thank
you
i just flipped out i went from rage to
panic oh my god my once-in-a-lifetime
idea is gone to finally i just started
laughing at the guy because i came to
the realization that the idea for my
movie wasn't what made it great it was
all in the execution he could steal the
idea but he couldn't steal all of the
intangibles i was bringing to it the
choices i was going to make along the
way of developing it which were the only
things that really mattered and made the
story good so the point of the story is
don't worry about people stealing your
idea the ideas honestly don't matter
it's all about the decisions you make
along the way of bringing that idea to
life that is the execution and also
don't wait around to start making a
movie you don't need a perfect idea to
hit you like a lightning bolt you can
start developing an amazing movie right
now today by changing your focus from
what's an amazing idea to what's an
amazing way i could execute this idea i
already have
thanks for watching
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