The Two Times Your Concept is Important

1. The first time is when you're developing your idea. Sounds obvious right? You'd be surprised how many well-intended writers come up with a notion, fail to think it out and work their fannies off only to discover that they shouldn't have "begun what they begun."

Examples: High concept ideas that don't have "legs" and would have trouble lasting as a four minute sketch on Saturday Night Live; one brilliant scene that the writer thinks can carry an entire film; situations or misplaced "plot" notions that are in fact only meaty enough to be a subplot at best and certainly won't carry the day; stuff that may be very meaningful in one's own life, but doesn't have the breadth and uniqueness to make the grade for a diverse audience.

2. The other time a concept is important is when you've finished the script, dotted the i's crossed the t's and now it's time to send it out. Assuming that the script is great, the veracity of your concept will now make or break you.

Beware of what you choose.