Screenwriting 101: Justin Rhodes
“I think concept is the most important aspect of the whole process. Dialogue can be improved, set pieces can be improved…
“I think concept is the most important aspect of the whole process. Dialogue can be improved, set pieces can be improved, characterizations can be improved, everything can be fixed with a rewrite or three. But if the fundamental elements aren’t providing a hook that generates a trailer in someone’s mind when they hear it, if there isn’t a clear way to see what’s unique about this story compared to all the other ones, then all you’re really left with is execution. ‘Execution dependent’ is a bad word that means ‘I can’t sell this unless I write it better than anyone.’ So you’re placing all your eggs in a basket that assumes your own virtuosity. But if you’ve got a ‘strong concept,’ then you’ve got a beacon that everyone can gravitate to even as the story develops.”
— Justin Rhodes