Every filmmaker knows that a compelling story is the heart of a great film. But. finding that perfect narrative can sometimes be a challenge.
Stories are everywhere, often in places you might not expect. Whether you’re searching for inspiration or a fully-formed narrative, here are seven high-quality sources you can mine for a great story for your film.
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1. Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a large digital library offering free access to a vast collection of public domain books. It is named after Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press.
The primary goal of Project Gutenberg is to make literature, especially classic works, more accessible to the public by digitizing them and making them available in various electronic formats.
As far as I know, all the works on Project Gutenberg are in the public domain, they can be freely downloaded, read, and shared.
And, it’s where you’ll find great classics from the ages. You might not know it, but many movies “borrow” plot points or entire plots from these stories. There is a wealth of genres to choose from, and in any size: short stories, plays or full-length novels.
You can spend a lifetime digging through this material. You might not even need any other resource.
2. The Local library or Book Store
Is your local library still relevant?
In many countries there are countless local authors and stories that are not under copyright. There is no centralized database for them. E.g., if I want to read the works for Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore, my best bet is my local library.
The library also provides a distraction-free environment for reading, taking down notes and thinking. You don’t have to buy coffee to sit in a library for the entire day.
Try it!
3. Newspapers
Why read newspapers when you have the Internet? First of all, newspapers are still localized, which means you’ll find stories of people and places you actually have access to.
If you’re in a major city you might find some local news on the Internet, but there are many people still living in rural areas. You will always find great stories about interesting personalities in the local newspaper that click-bait websites will never hear about.
A newspaper can also tell you what’s happening around you and alert you to interesting people and events.
The reporters of these local newspapers can cover more ground than you can do yourself. So, how can spending a few minutes parsing through a newspaper be a bad thing?
4. Mythology, Fairy Tales and Folklore
Let me give you an example.
Mahabharata is one of the great epics of history, the longest epic poem ever written. There are hordes of personalities, sub stories and subplots. You can make a thousand movies with stories from this one epic.
Similarly, every culture has its own set of unique stories, tales and folklore. Some are even in the form of music, or poetry.
Study philosophy, mythology and folklore, because you’ll find stories, ideas and events that have stood the test of time, and have been deemed worthy enough to pass down the ages.
5. Talk to People
If you want modern day stories, you must talk to people. When I say “talk”, I really mean you must listen to people.
You don’t have to be a psychiatrist but you can join a club or local group that lets you meet an eclectic mix of individuals.
If you’re a more gregarious person, visit the local market, or the mall. If you have some concrete ideas about the characters you’re writing about, try to find individuals that are close enough to your character to talk to.
If you’re not comfortable talking to strangers, then talk to the people you know. Stories are everywhere. Your own friends and family, or their friends and family, have thousands of collective stories that can fill endless pages of a screenplay.
If you start out with the assumption you know everything, your stories will be devoid of real life. Why do you think most television and movies are bland and uninspiring? Their writers and directors just didn’t dig deep enough.
6. The Internet
The problem with the Internet is you are given what you search, so you have to be real careful about the echo chamber effect. But, frankly, in today’s world there is no better and more convenient tool out there. I use two Google apps – Google Alerts and Google News.
You can set up Google Alerts daily or weekly to get information on any subject. The same with Google News.
E.g., if you know the genre of your story you can set up an alert to be notified of any stories pertaining specifically to it.
7. The Coffee Shop, or Bus Stop, or any Public Place in the Shade
Observe people. Observe them laughing, talking, fighting, or just spending time on their mobile phones. Don’t ogle or stare, though, or you might get into trouble! Please follow your local laws.
I personally prefer walking up to somebody interesting and talking to him or her. I’m not comfortable spying on people.
However, as a filmmaker, you need to learn how to observe people’s mannerisms. It’s part of your job.
I don’t want to leave you with just seven places to find story ideas, so here are a few more:
8. Personal Experiences
Your own life can be a goldmine of unique and personal stories. Try to lead an interesting life if you can!
Reflecting on past experiences, challenges, and triumphs can provide a deeply personal and authentic narrative. Stories grounded in real-life experiences often resonate deeply with audiences because of their genuine emotion and relatability.
Also, dreams, whether fantastical, terrifying, or surreal, can be the starting point for a story that’s truly original. Keeping a dream journal or allowing your imagination to wander can result in stories that can offer something unique.
9. Documentaries, Theater and Films
Documentaries, plays and movies are a fantastic source of inspiration for narrative films.
It’s a way to reach incredible real-life stories that you can’t physically access. Watching documentaries can spark ideas for character-driven dramas, thrillers, or even comedies.
10. Art and Music
Sometimes, a story can begin with a painting, photograph, song or lyrics. Songs often tell stories in their lyrics, and music can evoke powerful emotions that can trigger an idea.
A lot of directors have made films based on initial images extrapolated into stories.
11. Scientific and Academic Research
You might have to pay to access published research, but if the subject you’re tackling needs it, it’s going to be worth it.
These could be psychological case studies, sociological experiments, or an anthropological discovery. The world of academia is filled with intriguing theories that can be adapted into thought-provoking films.
12. Video Games
Video games are often long, drawn out affairs with multiple characters. Playing games in the genre you want to write in can help you find your next great idea.
You might even be inspired by smaller characters, or scenes, or events that take place in a game. I’m obviously not talking about ripping off the game, but trying to draw inspiration from fringe elements in a game to serve as inspiration for your film.
13. Biographies or Anything Based on Actual Personalities
The lives of extraordinary individuals often make for extraordinary films. So does fiction! You might need to purchase the rights to some of these stories. Some historical figures are revered, and you might encounter various obstacles along the way trying to rewrite your version or perspective of a particular personality.
The way I see it, if you have the money and resources to buy intellectual property rights for an existing story, fictional or non-fictional, then you don’t need this article!
You shouldn’t expect to be lucky finding a great story. It is a pursuable enterprise. It’s about knowing where to look.
I hope the ideas I’ve outlined here will help you discover a story that not only captivates your audience but also stands the test of time.
If you’re looking for great books to help you with script writing, here’s what I recommend:
