Screenwriting : What's hot? by Donnalyn Vojta

Write what you feel madly, passionately about.

What's a higher priority? What's topical? What does everyone crave? What'll resonate? What'll tap into the zeitgeist?

I try to pick my scripts based on concept and budget.

Generally we pick something that has been gestating for a while, then, look at the overall needs and wants of specific companies, check market awareness for said project (what does our management think they can do with the project at this point), then write. We are fortunate enough to have enough projects we are passionate about so that we can balance our art with the commerce of the industry.

I am budget aware. I also see if anyone has hinted at something I should write. I also know me. I write what I am good at.

Think of a number between one and ten. If I keep saying numbers. I will eventually hit the number you are think. If you think of a different number each time. The chances of us getting the same answer is much less. That is how I think of writing. I keep writing what I write. The world will eventually line up with me. That is my turn and I better be ready.

I'm going to start contacting production and distribution companies and ask them specifically what script idea they're looking for, or ask if they'll look at loglines to let me know which they'd be most interested in. Granted, I am aiming for low-budget horror, which I'm cool with writing and have a few ideas for, so I feel I can still keep my integrity.

Harry - please don't do that; you'll just further clog the pipeline.

Doug, how is that clogging the pipeline? It's another form of querying. It just means either catching someone on the phone to ask or having them quickly respond to an email. I will say this is a technique I picked up from a development person who sat for an interview in a Youtube video. I thought it was a great way to write something that has a greater chance of selling.

I've never understood the desperation some writers express about what's hot and whats not in choosing a script topic. We all have our ears to the ground. We all have a sense of when the cavalry is coming or has passed us by. But how many of us consider the under-represented groups and their issues that are increasingly shouting for attention in our society? Pick one of their stories, my friends, and you will always be in demand as a writer.

The truth, the honest-to-God truth with no 'feel good' chaser (I doubt that many of you can handle it). The O.P asked 'what's hot?' in referencing what to write next. The answer is if you're concentrating on what's hot today - you are already three to five years behind because it takes at least that amount of time just to get from a green-lit script to screen. So write what moves you, find a genre you like and strive to become the world's best at it.

Harry - start a new thread on that topic & I'll be glad to explain it all to you and the many others in your camp, but let's not hijack this thread.

I tend to write what I'm passionate about, always trying to create a fresh concept for it to avoid it being something "done before." It is hard to know what's hot at the moment. And even if you do, you either have a script done already to fit the bill (awesome!) or it's too late to hop on the hot train because it takes too long for the process to get to a green light before the "fad" is over.

just my talks with career writers and everyone says you must have one "fuck it" screenplay; shows your voice, craft, your uniqueness. Not about a sale or market. It is about an idea that gets industry people excited, pass your script to their friends, makes strangers want to hire you to help their own careers.

Donnalyn Vojta Everything's been done before...just a matter of wrapping it in a blank new sheet by your match...now, to answer your question u gotta put yourself in a genre branch, then sub-branch, etc...the more specific you get, easier will be to trend....my side is horror and frankly I think vampires are making comeback...

I keep a running list of ideas. I just write whatever item on the list peaks my interest at the time.

I write the movie I'd wanna see at the cinema

Donnalyn, I'm not really a follower of trends when it comes to me deciding what to write next. (And that's my tough luck!)

Me, I'm like Wally and Greg in that my next project is the one I'd want to go see at a theater or watch on TV...a project I keep thinking about.

And it's got to be a project where I've already mapped out six plot points and got an outline/scene list ready.

Great question, Donnalyn! Thanks for posting...and all the VERY BEST to you!

I have a list of ideas/premises that are in the waiting...