Hello creatives,
I hope you’re having a great week.
I have a question about production and execution, and I’d love to hear different perspectives.
I’m a non-native English screenwriter from Morocco, currently in the polishing phase of my first sci-fi script. I believe the concept is strong and original. I use ChatGPT for language corrections, but I still don’t feel completely confident about my English. I’m also concerned that the structure may not be strong enough.
My question is this: do you think a strong concept can survive imperfect language and structure?
In other words, if the concept is compelling enough, would producers be interested in developing the writing further, or does the quality of the writing matter more than the idea?
Thank you in advance.
— SCIFISPY
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I think you mean sentence structure, not story structure?
If you’re working closely with an English speaker who knows English is not your native language, it shouldn’t be a problem. I work with someone whose grammar and spelling are not the best, but he has a strong sense of story.
BUT, when those scripts go out the door, I make sure to clean them up for outside readers.
You should do the same. Find a partner or pay an editor to get your English in line. Readers are looking for reasons to say no to scripts, and if they can’t read it, they won’t read it.
I feel that the language may not be strong enough, and the story structure might need further refinement, especially since I’m trying to develop a nonlinear, puzzle-box narrative. Mike Boas
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A strong concept can help people lean in and read the first few pages, but it can't compensate for structural and language issues. Probably not the answer you were hoping for but it's the honest truth. I'd suggest you find a proficient English speaker you can collaborate with and who will still be able to honor any cultural context necessary for your story to remain authentic Meriem Bouziani
Thank you for your advice.
This is actually my biggest fear, since it’s my first attempt at writing a script in English.
I feel it still needs more work, and collaboration seems like a good solution. Jonathan Jordan
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Great question. I was once told by a very prominent producer that ideas aren’t worth anything. That sounds harsh, but his reasoning was solid: there are a million great ideas every day. Anyone can have one. What usually sells isn’t the idea itself, but the execution of that idea, whether that’s a script with unique characters, excellent dialogue, and a compelling, fresh plot, or a script paired with a director who has already proven they can bring ambitious material to life, even on a tight budget. So yes, a strong concept matters, especially in sci-fi, but execution is what builds confidence and makes the sale. The concept may get people curious, but the writing is what makes them believe.
Thank you very much for explaining this to me. I feel my writing still needs improvement, but I believe the concept is worth fighting for, so I will continue developing it. Joshua Young
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Jonathan Jordan is onto something here but I would go a step further and suggest you write the script in your native language and then find a great translator to work with after the fact. This will alleviate some of the pressure during the writing process and free you up to be your most creative self.
Since I write hard sci-fi, I find it difficult to write in Arabic and then translate it into English, because I’m not familiar with many technical or scientific terms in Arabic. To be honest, it also feels so weird to me. Wes Ambrecht