Real Life Events

Probably the easiest (and most common) way is to take inspiration from things that have happened to you in your own life. You can use the themes and lessons learnt from your own life to generate a story idea. It is best not to make it obvious the story is about you and avoid mentioning peoples names, you can be more subtitle and take your ideas from for example - an emotion, a modern problem, a rumour you heard.

Media Inspiration

You can take inspiration from the world around you. It’s typical for artists to take inspiration and adapt from one another. This maybe from watching a film, listening to music, your version of an old fairy-tale or a myth. Traditionally stories are all very similar they follow the same guidelines - the romance, the horror, the tragedy all genres that follow the same codes and conventions. Following genre conventions could help you with writing your screenplay.

Your Favourite Film

Watch your favourite film, turn off the audio and study the shots used and how that story is told through images on screen. Perhaps you can do a modern adaption of your favourite film or implement the stories themes into different locations and situations. Its OK to gain ideas this way, most ideas are not as unique and original as you might expect.

What resources do you have to make your film? List what locations you have access too, what camera / equipment , props, actors – perhaps create a story around what you have at hand. Try to get into the habit of keeping an idea journal. This way you will never be caught short - forcing yourself to conjure up a great idea for a deadline.