Producing : Determining Demand for This Type of Film by John Thompson

John Thompson

Determining Demand for This Type of Film

I'm looking for feedback on whether this type of film has enough demand to make it profitable or not. I have the full script, but based on the Logline alone, would you watch this feature?

"When a desperate real estate agent pursues the reclusive owner of a historic mansion, she discovers he's an immortal bound to Death for centuries — and now she must challenge Death to a supernatural chess game to save both their souls."

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, John Thompson. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know that I moved your post from the Screenwriting Lounge to the Producing Lounge since it's more about producing. Let me know if you have any questions.

I think this type of film has enough demand to make it profitable because of the "supernatural chess game" hook.

Debbie Croysdale

Been an increase in demand for fantasy recently & if it includes romance is often named “Romantasy.” Depends how well structured obviously whether pitch worthy for sale. Is it directed at young adults which a lot of fantasy is, or is it more for thriller general audience? It sounds like there’s a lot of mind play which makes me say yes I’d watch it.

John Thompson

It's more of a romance fantasy thriller for a general audience. This is great feedback. Thank you both!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, John Thompson.

Khari Telesford

Sounds interesting so far John. Def agree with Debbie - adding an element of romance can help the story. Would suggest tweaking it more towards a high stakes thriller

Mark Deuce

Looks amazing to me John Thompson and best of luck.

John Thompson

What about a logline like this?

"When a real estate agent pursues a mysterious recluse to save her career, she discovers her client is a centuries-old immortal locked in a deadly game with Death himself—forcing her to risk everything in a supernatural chess match where the stakes are not just their lives, but a love that has waited five hundred years to exist."

Khari Telesford

John this new logline singggs! Better

Maurice Vaughan

I think that logline is better, John Thompson. It tells us more about the story. I think the last part (“a love that has waited five hundred years to exist”) is vague though. And the logline is really long (58 words).

Here’s a logline suggestion: When a real estate agent pursues a mysterious recluse to save her career, she discovers her client is a centuries-old immortal locked in a game with Death—forcing her to risk everything in a supernatural chess match to save their lives and __________ (the part about “a love that has waited five hundred years to exist").

I took out “deadly” to make the logline shorter since we know it’s a deadly game by “where the stakes are not just their lives.”

Or this logline (a shorter version): When a real estate agent who’s desperate to save her career discovers her client is an immortal locked in a game with Death, she risks everything in a supernatural chess match to save their lives and __________ (the part about “a love that has waited five hundred years to exist").

Just Nikka

A premise cribbed from Bergman's The Seventh Seal (1957)?

John Thompson

Thanks, Khari. And solid feedback, Maurice. Nikka, I just looked up The Seventh Seal and realized how similar the concepts are, haha. I've never seen it, but it's going on my list. It matches a similar theme to what I was envisioning.

What about this logline?

"A real estate agent pursuing a mysterious recluse discovers her client is an immortal locked in a game with Death—forcing her to play a supernatural chess match where the stakes are not just their lives, but the unexpected love she finds herself in."

Maurice Vaughan

I like your logline's flow, John Thompson, but I think "the unexpected love she finds herself in" is unclear. It sounds like she falls in love with her client, but I'm not sure.

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