2015 Willamette Writers Conference

High concept is a Hollywood term that refers to a premise that has pizzazz and instant appeal. It also means the story idea is easy to boil down in a sentence or two; it involves high stakes; it’s written in a discernible genre; it’s entertaining and visual; It’s original, and while the concept pushes boundaries, it also has wide appeal. We’ll discuss some famous high concept novels and films, creating media buzz, and how you can apply the principles to your pitch, synopsis, and storyline. We’ll also discuss how high concept can attract more than one age group. Some of the stories under discussion: The Fault in our Stars, Gone Girl, The Princess Diaries, Star Wars, Hunger Games, the Bourne and Harry Potter series.