So, we’ve established that the way to make your story high concept is to really dig into it and bring out its universal elements and themes. By doing this, it becomes an everyman story, with widespread, universal appeal.
Think about Pride and Prejudice. Why does that story keep getting made over and over again? The reason is the main character’s universal internal battle: will she marry for money or not? Why do they keep making Jane Eyre? And Romeo and Juliet? Even Batman? The reason is that each and every one is a universal story about a character struggling with emotional, real-life issues, no matter the setting.
Sure, Bruce Wayne is a guy who obtains nearly supernatural abilities and dedicates himself to fighting great criminals, but he has a curse: to be alone. Who can’t relate to that? Superman has the same problem: he’s blessed with superhuman powers, but, with the exception of Lois Lane, he’s entirely alone, his identity a secret to the world. So, Superman and Batman share a universal story, they’re just two men trying to make it through the day, even if their day involves battling super-villains, sometimes from other galaxies.
The same is true for television. Think of all of the longest-running TV series. What do they have in common? The answer again is that they’re all everyman stories. Whether it’s The Sopranos or Family Guy, these shows are about people dealing with family, getting bread on the table, and taking care of their mothers. Again, despite their superficial differences, at the core they’re all completely universal stories with relatable characters.
As in everything you write, it’s the individual take and the amount of heart and talent you bring as a writer that makes the difference.
