A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 7

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my through during this series of posts. Here’s another one:

The story idea is how everyone in Hollywood short-hands your script.

From the first moment your script enters into submission process, where it’s covered and at the very top there is a logline, through the marketing of your movie, where posters, newsprint, radio, TV spots, and web content all derive from it, your story idea is the touchstone for everything that happens.

So over time, I think it is fair to say that story ideas have become the lifeblood of Hollywood, what people traffic in all day long. The more you can think like that, play to the way Hollywood people interact with stories, the better your chances of success in the business.

Today’s story idea: “She put a stranger on her shoulders at a Phillies rally. Now fans want them to marry.”

She hoisted him above the sea of revelers until he found his friends. People far and wide are hoping for a fairy tale ending.

It was an improbable pennant win for the Phillies, and swarms of fans met the moment as they realized their long-suffering team was going to the World Series for the first time in 13 years. They converged near City Hall, whooping and hugging strangers in the crowd.

“I would call myself an average Philly fan,” said Jim Lindrooth, 29, who was there with a group of friends that night, Oct. 23. “But the average Philly fan is a mega fan.” His band even recorded a song about Philly sports.

Lindrooth and his friend Laird Frazier, 30, became separated from their group in the crowd. As they searched for their buddies, they waded through the throng, tossing cans of beer to partygoers. This caught the eye of a woman who gestured for a drink.

As Lindrooth gave her a beer, she overheard their conversation about looking for their friends. The woman responded as any self-respecting Phillies fan would: “Do you want to get on my shoulders?” she asked, then hoisted Lindrooth up above the sea of revelers.

It worked. His buddies spotted him atop her shoulders and made their way over.

The interaction was fleeting but hilarious, leaving Lindrooth wishing he’d taken more time to talk with the quick-thinking stranger who came to his rescue.

This reminded Frazier of “missed connections,” a Craigslist-era tradition in which romantic hopefuls would create a listing that described a chance encounter and ask the object of affection to reach out if they’re interested. The next day, Frazier penned a witty blurb and shared the plea to a Phillies fan club on Facebook.

“It was the last that Jim saw of the heroine who literally lifted us up when we were down and helped us salvage our celebratory evening,” Frazier wrote. “This is where we need your help. We believe that this woman very well could be my friend Jim’s future wife. We don’t know her name, just that she was hot, thirsty, kind, and sturdy — which checks all the boxes for Jim’s ideal mate. Please help us find her so that we can let this fateful interaction blossom into the love story that all Phils fans deserve.”

He later admitted that he wrote the post as a goof, assuming only a few dozen people would notice it.

The blurb also featured a long-winded endorsement, including: “He’s a real one-of-a-kind catch. With Swedish genes and an unmistakable fashion sense (he was wearing a Phillies jacket and a Pokémon hat at City Hall if that helps), you’ll never want to look away. Jim is above average height and only 29 years young. He works in Finance and can easily fund his future wife’s lifestyle, like whenever she wants to buy a new pair of Crocs.”

“There’s a lot of references to James that I don’t think anyone actually understands outside of our friend group,” Frazier said.

The inside jokes didn’t deter supporters. Thousands flocked to the post to share it, then took to the comments to join in exaggerating the lore of Lindrooth, creating fictitious tales of Philadelphia-themed valor.

“​​Jim once saved me and my entire family from a Delco Bear attack. We owe him our lives. #TEAMJIM,” wrote a fan.

Others claimed he’d delivered a baby on Broad Street, rescued a man from drowning on the flooded expressway, and accomplished other herculean feats.

Within hours, Erin Sweeney, 27, stumbled upon the story in a group for Delaware County residents, where she grew up. She recognized a photo of Jim’s hat — a backward Pokémon cap that stood out in a sea of Phillies red and maroon.

I mean, come on. What a fan-tastic (pun intended) setup for rom-com. I love the idea that the duo do get together, but what they feel for each other is way less intense than what people on social media feel. They desperately want Erin and Jim to fall in love and get married.

Imagine trying to get to know someone when seemingly an entire city has its gaze focused on you.

They meet for dinner. Suddenly, a Mariachi band shows up playing love songs (hired by fans). Champagne arrives at their table (paid for by fans). The bill arrives. It’s been handled (covered by fans). And what’s that on the bill. A condom (supplied by fans).

The intense interference of outsiders completely caught up in what they hope is a budding romance actually keeps the duo from being able to experience any sort of private “get to know you” time.

Imagine seeing your every move on TikTok. YouTube. A podcast hits: “Love Story: Erin & Jim.”

I’m not a rom-com guy, but this strikes me as a fun setup for a movie.

There you go, my 7th story idea of the month. And it’s yours. Free! What would YOU do with it?

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

Each day in April, I invite you to join me in comments to do some brainstorming. Take each day’s story idea and see what it can become when we play around with it. These are valuable skills for a writer to develop.

See you in RESPONSES to hear YOUR take on this story idea. And come back tomorrow for another Story Idea Each Day For A Month.