Why You? Why Now?

Before diving in to write a new screenplay, two questions must first be answered: why should this story be told right now and why are you the person to tell it? 

These questions are often asked when you are pitching a film or television show to executives. The story can be crystal clear, but what is underneath? What do you bring to this arena? Why should the viewer care?

If I were to give five writers a prompt, the result would likely be five vastly different stories. Your “voice” should be the soul of your story – own it! Figure out what special flavor you can bring to the writing. Do you have specific knowledge of the world you are creating? What can you bring to the table that others can’t? Acknowledging how your perspective makes the story unique can help cultivate a stronger script and pitch.

During my time as an intern, I did a lot of coverage on pilots and features. My favorites were always those that had a sense of niche wisdom to them. When an idea feels personal to the writer, it reflects greatly onto the project. An example of this is David Simon’s series The Wire (2002-2008). Simon worked for years as a criminal reporter and later worked at the Baltimore Police Department while writing his first book. He went on to adapt that book into a series, which snowballed into him writing The Wire, a show following a Baltimore detective’s run-ins with local crime. What makes that pilot so exhilarating is Simon’s life experience shining through. His familiarity with the crime scene in Baltimore led to a very realistic depiction of the world the characters inhabit. The writer surely had no hesitation when asked “why are you the person to tell this story?”

If your script isn’t topical, what’s the point? While brainstorming your idea, make sure to pinpoint the message you are trying to convey to the audience. This tactic is very prominent in the horror genre due to its allowance to push boundaries. Us (2019) tackles race relations and wealth inequality, Rosemary’s Baby (1968) brings women’s rights to the forefront, and Jaws (1975) questions corporate greed and government corruption. Seizing the moment and providing commentary on contemporary societal issues adds depth and significance. A memorable script typically stems from reflection. What is the purpose? Why should we care?

Once you can answer “why you” and “why now,” you will be better equipped to define what your story is really about.

-Cody