As someone who’s been deep in the trenches of crafting and producing holiday-themed content, I’ve noticed a growing challenge: how do we keep these “comfort-food” stories both fresh and familiar?
I’m reaching out to my fellow Movie-of-the-Week writers here in the Lounge because I’ve been working closely with a number of writers in this space...advising on concept shaping, structure, and what actually feels sellable in today’s market. One thing I keep circling back to is where the spark begins.
When you’re breaking a new holiday idea, what’s your first anchor?
• A character with a clear emotional engine?
• A fresh twist on the core concept?
• A thematic message you want to explore?
• Something else entirely?
I’d love to hear how you approach that balance. Hearing how different writers generate momentum on a new idea helps me better guide my own clients...and I think it could help all of us push the genre forward in interesting ways.
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Hi, Laura Notarianni. My first anchor is a fresh twist on the core concept when I'm breaking a holiday idea.
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Hi, Laura. I haven't written any holiday scripts yet, but your "fresh twist on a core concept" just gave me an idea on how I can rejuvenate an old comic whodunit stage play. Thanks! God bless us, everyone!
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Laura Notarianni Hi there Laura! I love this post, since I am currently almost finished with my first draft of my first ever Soft Holiday/Christmas screenplay. It's been fun to to see where my instincts have been taking me, and the concept is not groundbreaking, but my setting, characters and emotional triggers are what have pulled me in, following these characters through December 23, and December 24. Cultural differences, death, financial ruin are the emotional fires, but there is a coming together of two families, representing two cultures, that are very much in tensions right now, that finally open their hearts to one another, and the magic, and miracles, of Christmas eve.
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Juliana Philippi Love this. Yes - often my fave scripts in this space don't necessarily have a big noisy hook or unexpected premise, but strong, distinctive character development and cultural specificity. Adds so much value.
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Paul Pastore Cheers to inspiration!
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Maurice Vaughan absolutely! Often the smoothest way in - to crack that fresh twist. Thank you!
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You're welcome, Laura Notarianni. I've written holiday spec scripts, but I've never written a Movie-of-the-Week holiday script. I might one day.