An idea for a movie is more than just a thought: it must have at least one character, a conflict, and some kind of story. Like all narratives, movies have three elements: the teller of the tale, the tale itself, and the audience to whom the tale is told; in many ways, the audience is the real center of attention.

It’s a good idea to begin by thinking about your audience, and yourself in relation to them. Who are you making the movie for—your class, people at your school, or perhaps a wider audience? Who are these people, and what will they enjoy? This isn’t so much a matter of pandering to the audience, or putting your own deep passions on hold for the short-term gain of making something that will get a good grade or “sell,” but acknowledging a fundamental principle of the entertainment enterprise: the word entertainment comes from the same word as intertwine, which means that bringing people together is a core value in what you are attempting. You must tell a story worth sharing, and care deeply about satisfying the people with whom you are sharing it.

There are two categories of ideas: those that come entirely from you, which are called original ideas, and those that are inspired by material you discover. Both are fertile ground for compelling movies.