Unique premise

Definition

A unique premise is a distinct and original idea that serves as the foundation for a story, setting it apart from other narratives. It captures the essence of the story in a way that intrigues the audience and hints at the potential for compelling conflict, character development, and themes. A well-crafted unique premise is essential for creating an engaging logline that can effectively pitch the story to producers or studios.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A unique premise should be instantly relatable or intriguing, allowing audiences to grasp its essence quickly.
2. Successful unique premises often combine familiar elements in new and unexpected ways, leading to fresh storytelling experiences.
3. The effectiveness of a unique premise can often be measured by how easily it can be articulated in a concise logline.
4. When developing a unique premise, it’s essential to consider how it will challenge characters and create meaningful conflict.
5. Unique premises are crucial for attracting attention from producers and audiences in a competitive market where originality is highly valued.

Review Questions

• How does a unique premise enhance the development of a logline?
  • A unique premise enhances a logline by providing an original angle that captures the audience's attention. When a logline features a strong unique premise, it conveys not only the core concept of the story but also hints at potential conflicts and character arcs. This connection makes the logline more appealing to producers, as it suggests a fresh narrative experience that stands out among countless other stories.
• Discuss how combining familiar elements can lead to a unique premise and give an example.
  • Combining familiar elements to create a unique premise can lead to innovative storytelling. For example, merging classic fairy tale themes with modern technology can create an engaging narrative, like a retelling of 'Cinderella' set in a futuristic world where her glass slipper is actually a lost digital device. This blend makes the premise both recognizable and fresh, allowing audiences to engage with well-known motifs in unexpected ways.
• Evaluate the importance of a unique premise in attracting producers and audiences in today's entertainment landscape.
  • In today's crowded entertainment landscape, having a unique premise is vital for capturing attention from both producers and audiences. As originality becomes increasingly scarce, unique premises offer something different that can set a project apart from others vying for attention. Producers are more likely to invest in stories with strong unique premises because they suggest marketability and appeal, while audiences are drawn to fresh narratives that promise new experiences and perspectives. Therefore, crafting an exceptional unique premise is essential for success in screenwriting.

Related terms

Logline:

A logline is a brief summary of a film or television show, typically one or two sentences, that conveys the main idea and hooks the audience's interest.

High Concept: A high concept is a type of unique premise that is easily understandable and marketable, often encapsulating the story's core idea in a single, memorable phrase.

Conflict:

Conflict refers to the central struggle between opposing forces in a story, which drives the narrative and develops characters throughout the plot.