Script vs Idea

People often ask—why bother writing a script, learning... Wouldn't it be easier to bring your genius idea to a studio, let them pay you, and then they'll write the script, which they'll shoot, and put me, the main author, on the poster. Pay attention to the image!

What do you see? A log in the picture. And metaphorically, the log is an idea. Actually, it's not just metaphorical. Imagine what will happen if you bring this log to a studio or show it to professional directors and producers? Well, if you show the log to your friends, they'll surely support you and say how great you are: “This is a good log! You can sit on it after a long hike, for example.”

The same log was the foundation of Italian author Carlo Collodi's tale. Except that this log turned into a talking Pinocchio. A wooden boy who dreamt of dancing, but needed to learn to become a real person.

The same log was at the base of Alexei Tolstoy's tale, and also Carlo Collodi's story. But his character—Buratino—turned out to be quite different. The joyful wooden character had to constantly overcome obstacles set by villains on his path.

The same log formed the basis of Steven Spielberg's film “A.I. Artificial Intelligence,” but now it's a more technological log. This is a story about a robot boy who overcomes many obstacles to become human.

So when you, as an author, rush to present your unfinished idea to others, you should be ready that many will perceive your idea as some kind of log.

Of course, your friends will support you. But they will do it because they appreciate your personal qualities, not your idea, which will be a log to them, just like to everyone else. And only you will see that in your log lies potential—a Buratino, a Pinocchio, or an Artificial Intelligence. That's why only you can unleash that potential.