I had a productive consultation today with a writer... someone who had uncovered an intriguing, little-known footnote of history that he felt could be the basis for a limited series. And the thing is: he was right. It was a fascinating true story that occurred in WW2 which provided all the pieces for engaging characters, a fantastic setting, and layers of intrigue, emotion, tension -- entertainment!
But here's the catch: he was so wrapped up in the details of this historical gem he had excavated... that he forgot to answer the most important question:
WHY does this story NEED to be told TODAY?
Why this story. Why today.
It is not enough that a true story be novel, no matter how unbelievable, incredible, cinematic, action-packed it may be. It must have meaning -- it must have a message, a lesson, a reminder, an examination, something that can be passed on to a modern audience which warrants looking back in the first place. In short: it must RESONATE
What can we in 2024 (basically 2025, right?) -- sitting in a darkened room watching this story unfold -- learn from the events, the characters, the decisions, the obstacles, the victories or failures of this story XX years ago?
Example: At face value, THE IMITATION GAME is the fascinating true story of mathematician Alan Turing and his cryptography team building a machine to decipher the German enigma code, essentially helping turn the tide of the war. It is a well-crafted, finely-acted, riveting story that places the audience behind a desk -- rather than a battlefront -- to showcase a different-yet-similarly-essential (dare I say, novel) side of warfare. But that doesn't speak to WHY this story -- set in 1939 -- NEEDED to be told in 2014...
However, one only has to examine the underlying storylines and themes to see the "why"... From the fact that, in striving to crack a wartime code, Turing and his team essentially birthed what would evolve into the modern computer as we know it (and live our entire lives by it) today... To the bleak reality that even a hero such as Turing, who by his actions saved countless lives and helped end a global war, still could not escape persecution by society for his sexual identity... Undeniably two concepts, two issues, two elements of this novel true story that are still resounding parts of human existence today -- one which has progressed greatly since Turing's time, the other which has not progressed enough.
By examining these issues in the context of 1939 -- and then comparing them to present reality in 2014 -- the resonance of the story becomes clear. Pushing the timeline of comparison even further... as we in 2024 sit in the shadow of evolving A.I. and all that it may bring to society in the years (months?) to come... how do we feel about the machine that Turing and his team created? An instrument for good, a machine to help crack a code and end a war... might have been the first butterfly flap that led us to where we are today, concerned for the existential possibilities of artificial intelligence. Thus, through the lens of 2024, might that machine have possibly won the battle in Turing's time... but started a different war for our time?
Regardless of our answers or feelings to the above questions... the fact remains: this story raises questions and feelings, questions and feelings that are as important today as they were back then
The story RESONATES.
So, as start cracking into that incredible true story you can't wait to put on screen... it may or may not be novel. But it MUST resonate.
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As we learn or do not learn from history, we never should stop telling about the horrible experiences a war brings to human beings. Wrote a screenplay about the true story of my father's life. His youth was stolen by the NAZIS, to follow for the rest of his life. Great that you produce this story.
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I started hearing about "why this story and why today" a little while back, Ryan Christians. I struggled with figuring it out until I heard other pros on Stage 32 say the same thing you said ("it must RESONATE."). I try to figure out the "why this story and why today" during outlining. It's easier than figuring it out after the script is finished.
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Spot on, Ryan!
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Interesting topic everyone!
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Great post, Ryan Christians ! Guys, Ryan is a fantastic executive and producer. If you're looking for guidance on your project through a Stage 32 consultation call, I suggest you go to Ryan.
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Thank you for sharing and I like this topic. I just sent a pitch deck to someone for a historical drama and had to answer this very question. I would add that the questions of "Why this story? Why today?" is still subjective to me. One producer that's attached knew exactly why this story needs to be told and why today. Others have passed on it.
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Your topic is interesting.
A story always has to add something to people's lives and be much more than mere entertainment.
Stories like this with well-explored historical backgrounds give a significant insight to the viewers who are going to watch.
Because in the end the important thing is not just our vision of the story in general but how it will impact the final audience.
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So much is accredited to the WW2, era including accounts of major discoveries that begun even before, caused world wide "attention" and "scientific collaborations" which then also included Admiral E. Byrd expedition to the Antarctic. Grand distraction however is accredited to WW2, by many therefore, to the extent questions are being asked "what were we as a human race really distracted from"? Some accounts of advanced technological findings to artifacts and more. Some even tried to make sense of the war "with documentation", in the first place!