My specialty lies in writing and developing high-concept spec scripts — from initial ideas all the way through production and post-production. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve thought this way, although for a long time I didn’t fully understand what the industry means by “high-concept spec script.” I never would have started writing a story that wasn’t in the league of E.T., Groundhog Day, Rain Man, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, or The Hunger Games.
To me, writing a crowd-pleasing film isn’t about saying, “Today I’ll write a thriller.” It’s about having one big idea, a concept so compelling it could become a landmark thriller — and only then do I start scripting it. If the logline can’t carry that promise, I won’t write the screenplay. That said, I’m happy to adapt any concept into a high-concept spec script upon request.
Over time, I’ve learned how to do all this while keeping budgets low. So even if the story is high-concept, I write with financial constraints in mind. I can develop and direct projects this way. But my goal isn’t just low budget — it’s the best possible way to tell the story.
This is how I approached My Best Friend ATM, a High-Concept Spec Script for Sale / Seeking Producer or Rep:
Title: My Best Friend ATM
Genre: Coming-of-age, sci-fi, dramedy
Format: Completed spec script (feature, 120 min) or TV series concept (3 seasons)
Logline:
"It meets Stand by Me meets Stranger Things — with an economic twist."
A small-town teenager discovers an ATM that gives him unlimited cash. It seems like the miracle his struggling community needs after their shoe factory closes — but the source of the money threatens more than just his town.
Project Details:
My Best Friend ATM is a fully developed, low-budget indie film concept, perfectly suited for platforms like A24, Netflix, HBO, Amazon, and Apple, with the potential to expand into a larger studio film or TV series.
Though set in an American small town, the authentic American small-town atmosphere can be effectively recreated and filmed in Hungary, where I can provide very favorable economic conditions and production support.
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Hi, Patrick Kovács. Hope you're having a great week!
"If the logline can’t carry that promise, I won’t write the screenplay." That reminds me of something I do when I get a script idea. I figure out the logline first because it's my main guide as I outline, write, and rewrite a script.
My Best Friend ATM sounds exciting and fresh! Your logline hooked me, especially "discovers an ATM that gives him unlimited cash." And "It seems like the miracle his struggling community needs after their shoe factory closes" has me rooting for the protagonist already.
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Thanks, Maurice! Wishing you a great week full of film wins!
Like you said, it’s all about the idea — but I don’t see ideas as good or bad, just different in type.
For example: “Two neighbor women finally sit outside and talk through their past grievances.” That’s great! But for who? TV, shorts, streamers.
Then there’s “planets crashing into each other” — for who? Big studio pitches.
Neither is better — just aimed differently.
And it’s awesome that you already have your logline, but it can work the other way too.
A producer might say: “I can’t sell this — what do I do?”
Some would reply: “Throw it out.”
But even that neighbor scene can be turned into a high-concept spec script with the right development.
High-concept isn’t luck — it’s craft. Every idea has value, just not always in its most valuable form yet.
My Best Friend ATM holds endless possibilities — from comedy to horror. I can’t wait for audiences to root for the main character right alongside us.
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You're welcome, Patrick Kovács. Hope you have a great week full of film wins too! "High-concept isn’t luck — it’s craft. Every idea has value, just not always in its most valuable form yet." You're right. I usually don't throw out ideas. I have a list of ideas and unfinished outlines that I work on here and there.
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That's super sharp , Maurice Vaughan. I like the sound of that slogan.
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All credit to Patrick, Jabulani Pongolani.
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Wow, Patrick. Sounds like you have a passion right there! It'll be interesting to see how this turns out. The logline sounds so catchy. I'd be happy to join, if you have a role for me. Thanks, I'd love to be in your network.
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Every post from Patrick is spot on.
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Hi Patrick my company Gem would love to look at anything you've written. We will read through and can give you a detailed breakdown of our analysis. Feel free to send us a script via our website or by emailing info@gem.studio. A DM is also fine if that is easier.
If any of your scripts are truly special we will highlight it on our top 10 list (https://gem.studio/leaderboard) so that it can get even more exposure.
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Hey Patrick — love your “big idea first” mindset. That ATM concept has serious legs, and your packaging is tight.
I’m in a similar lane with James Christ, a comedy feature about Jesus’s forgotten little brother — Life of Brian meets Lady Bird.
It’s a high-concept biblical satire with a coming-of-age heart and a few light exorcisms. Always great to meet another indie mind thinking at scale.