Trending

In a world where instant fame is the ultimate dream, a struggling bartender named Maria Jones is selected to compete on a reality TV show called 'Trending', where she must reveal her darkest secrets to the world in order to become an influencer.

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Overview

Poster
Unique Selling Point

The screenplay's unique selling proposition lies in its sharp critique of influencer culture through a dark, satirical lens, combined with a compelling character-driven narrative that explores themes of fame, mental health, and redemption.

AI Verdict & Suggestions

Ratings are subjective. So you get different engines' ratings to compare.

Hover over verdict cards for Executive Summaries

Claude
 Consider
GPT4
 Recommend
DeepSeek
 Recommend
Average Score: 8.2
Key Takeaways
For the Writer:
To enhance the screenplay 'Trending', focus on tightening the pacing throughout the narrative, particularly in scenes leading up to the climax. This will help maintain tension and engagement for the audience. Additionally, consider deepening the development of secondary characters like Nora and Rebecca to enrich the story's emotional landscape and provide a more cohesive thematic throughline that connects the exploration of social media fame with the characters' personal struggles.
For Executives:
While 'Trending' presents a compelling critique of influencer culture with strong character arcs, the screenplay faces risks due to uneven pacing and underdeveloped secondary characters. These issues could hinder its marketability, especially in a competitive landscape where audiences expect tight narratives and well-rounded characters. Addressing these concerns will be crucial for maximizing its potential appeal to both traditional and streaming platforms.
Story Facts

Genres: Drama, Thriller, Comedy, Reality TV, Mystery, Psychological, Family, Character Study, Psychological Thriller, Horror

Setting: Contemporary, Chicago, primarily in and around O'Rourke's bar and Maria's apartment

Themes: The Destructive Nature of Fame, Mental Health Struggles, Personal Sacrifice, Impact of Past Trauma, The Illusion of Authenticity

Conflict & Stakes: Maria's struggle with her identity and mental health amidst the pressures of influencer culture, compounded by her father's death and the manipulative nature of the media.

Mood: Tense and introspective, with moments of dark humor and emotional turmoil.

Standout Features:

  • Unique Hook: The story's focus on the dark side of influencer culture and the psychological toll it takes on individuals.
  • Major Twist: The revelation of Ronald's death and its impact on Maria's mental state, leading to a dramatic climax.
  • Innovative Idea: The use of a game show format to explore personal struggles and societal pressures.
  • Distinctive Setting: The contrast between the vibrant nightlife of Chicago and the dark, intimate spaces of Maria's life.

Comparable Scripts: Black Mirror (TV Series), The Social Network (Movie), Eighth Grade (Movie), The Influencer (Book), Unfriended (Movie), The Circle (Movie), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (TV Series), The Fame Game (TV Series), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Book/Movie)

Script Level Analysis

This section delivers a top-level assessment of the screenplay’s strengths and weaknesses — covering overall quality (P/C/R/HR), character development, emotional impact, thematic depth, narrative inconsistencies, and the story’s core philosophical conflict. It helps identify what’s resonating, what needs refinement, and how the script aligns with professional standards.

Screenplay Insights

Breaks down your script along various categories.

Overall Score: 7.50
Exec Summary:
While 'Trending' presents a timely exploration of influencer culture and personal struggles, it faces risks due to pacing issues and underdeveloped supporting characters. These elements could hinder audience engagement and overall market appeal. Addressing these concerns is crucial to ensure the screenplay resonates with contemporary viewers and stands out in a competitive landscape.
Key Suggestions:
To enhance the screenplay 'Trending,' focus on deepening the character arcs of supporting characters like Ronald and Ben, ensuring their motivations and growth are clearly defined. This will create a more cohesive emotional impact throughout the narrative. Additionally, tightening the pacing in key emotional scenes will help maintain audience engagement and amplify the emotional stakes of Maria's journey.
Story Critique

Big-picture feedback on the story’s clarity, stakes, cohesion, and engagement.

Exec Summary:
The screenplay presents a timely exploration of influencer culture, but risks losing audience engagement due to uneven pacing and predictable resolutions. While the character arcs are relatable, the disjointed plot and lack of clarity in motivations could hinder marketability. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure the script resonates with contemporary audiences and stands out in a competitive landscape.
Key Suggestions:
To enhance the screenplay, focus on tightening the pacing by eliminating redundant scenes that do not advance character development or the central theme. Deepening the backstories of supporting characters and introducing more external conflicts would enrich the narrative and maintain audience engagement, ultimately leading to a more compelling story about the complexities of influencer culture.
Characters

Explores the depth, clarity, and arc of the main and supporting characters.

Exec Summary:
The script presents a compelling exploration of influencer culture and personal trauma, but it risks falling into predictable character archetypes. To stand out in a crowded market, the portrayal of Ronald as an antagonist needs to be more layered and complex. Without this depth, the narrative may struggle to engage audiences seeking authentic and relatable characters. Addressing these issues will be crucial for marketability and audience connection.
Key Suggestions:
To enhance the script, focus on deepening the emotional complexity of the characters, particularly Ronald. By exploring his backstory and motivations, you can create a more nuanced antagonist that resonates with the audience. Additionally, incorporating moments of vulnerability in his dialogue will add depth and make his relationship with Maria more impactful. This will not only enrich the narrative but also elevate the emotional stakes throughout the screenplay.
Emotional Analysis

Breaks down the emotional journey of the audience across the script.

Goals and Philosophical Conflict

Evaluates character motivations, obstacles, and sources of tension throughout the plot.

Exec Summary:
This screenplay presents a timely exploration of influencer culture and the quest for authenticity, which could resonate with a contemporary audience. However, the risks lie in the potential for the narrative to feel overly familiar or derivative of existing media critiques. Ensuring a unique voice and perspective will be crucial for market differentiation and audience engagement.
Key Suggestions:
To enhance the script, focus on deepening Maria's internal conflict and character development throughout her journey. Emphasize her transition from seeking superficial validation to embracing authenticity, which will resonate more with audiences. Additionally, consider refining the philosophical conflict between authenticity and superficiality to create a more compelling narrative arc that challenges societal norms surrounding influencer culture.
Themes

Analysis of the themes of the screenplay and how well they’re expressed.

Exec Summary:
The script tackles timely themes of fame and mental health, but it risks alienating audiences if not handled with care. The portrayal of these issues must be authentic and sensitive to avoid backlash. Given the current market's focus on mental health narratives, there is potential for strong engagement, but the execution must be precise to ensure it resonates positively with viewers and critics alike.
Key Suggestions:
To enhance the script, consider deepening the exploration of mental health struggles and the impact of past trauma on the characters, particularly Maria. By providing more nuanced portrayals of these themes, the narrative can resonate more profoundly with audiences, fostering empathy and understanding. Additionally, refining the depiction of the destructive nature of fame will create a more compelling cautionary tale that reflects contemporary societal issues surrounding social media and validation.
Logic & Inconsistencies

Highlights any contradictions, plot holes, or logic gaps that may confuse viewers.

Exec Summary:
The script currently presents significant inconsistencies and plot holes that could confuse audiences and undermine character credibility. These issues pose a risk to market perception, as viewers may find it difficult to engage with the story. Addressing these concerns is crucial for creating a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences and stands out in a competitive market.
Key Suggestions:
To enhance the script's coherence and character development, focus on providing a clearer character arc for Maria and Ben. Address the inconsistencies in their behavior and motivations, ensuring that their transitions feel organic and justified. Additionally, streamline the exploration of Maria's internal conflicts to avoid redundancy and maintain narrative momentum.

Scene Analysis

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Scene-Level Percentile Chart
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Other Analyses

This section looks at the extra spark — your story’s voice, style, world, and the moments that really stick. These insights might not change the bones of the script, but they can make it more original, more immersive, and way more memorable. It’s where things get fun, weird, and wonderfully you.

Unique Voice

Assesses the distinctiveness and personality of the writer's voice.

Exec Summary:
The script presents a timely exploration of influencer culture and its psychological toll, which could resonate well with contemporary audiences. However, the risk lies in the potential for the narrative to feel overly familiar or derivative of existing media critiques. To stand out, the script must ensure that its characters are not only relatable but also offer fresh perspectives on the complexities of fame and authenticity.
Key Suggestions:
To enhance the script, consider deepening the exploration of the characters' internal conflicts, particularly regarding their relationships with social media and personal ambition. This could involve more nuanced dialogue and interactions that reveal their vulnerabilities and motivations, allowing the audience to connect more profoundly with their journeys. Additionally, maintaining a balance between humor and emotional depth will strengthen the overall narrative impact.
Writer's Craft

Analyzes the writing to help the writer be aware of their skill and improve.

Exec Summary:
The screenplay showcases potential with strong character dynamics and thematic depth, but significant pacing and dialogue issues could hinder its marketability. Without addressing these concerns, the project risks losing audience engagement and critical acclaim, which are essential for success in a competitive industry.
Key Suggestions:
To enhance the screenplay, focus on refining pacing and dialogue to create a more engaging narrative. Deepening character motivations and conflicts will also add emotional weight to the story. By addressing these areas, the writer can elevate the overall impact and resonance of the script.
Memorable Lines

Spotlights standout dialogue lines with emotional or thematic power.

Exec Summary:
The script presents a raw and unfiltered look at the dark side of influencer culture, which could resonate with audiences seeking authenticity in storytelling. However, the heavy themes and intense character conflicts may alienate some viewers if not balanced with moments of levity or hope. The market perception could hinge on how well the script navigates these complexities, making it crucial to refine character development and ensure a compelling narrative arc.
Key Suggestions:
The script effectively captures the emotional turmoil of its characters, particularly Maria and Vivian, through powerful dialogue that resonates with themes of regret, ambition, and the harsh realities of influencer culture. To enhance the script, consider deepening character arcs and motivations, ensuring that their emotional journeys are consistently reflected in their actions and decisions. This will create a more cohesive narrative that engages the audience on a deeper level.
Tropes
Highlights common or genre-specific tropes found in the script.
World Building

Evaluates the depth, consistency, and immersion of the story's world.

Exec Summary:
The screenplay taps into the current societal obsession with influencers and the superficiality of social media, which could resonate with audiences. However, the portrayal of mental health issues and personal tragedies may risk alienating viewers if not handled with sensitivity. The chaotic bar setting and the characters' struggles reflect a broader commentary on fame, but the narrative must balance entertainment with a responsible depiction of these themes to avoid backlash and ensure market viability.
Key Suggestions:
To enhance the script, consider deepening the exploration of the characters' internal conflicts and motivations, particularly Maria's relationship with her father and her struggles with identity in the influencer culture. This could involve more nuanced dialogue and interactions that reveal their emotional states, allowing the audience to connect more profoundly with their journeys. Additionally, integrating moments of vulnerability amidst the chaos of the bar environment could provide a stark contrast that emphasizes the themes of authenticity and the dark side of fame.
Correlations

Identifies patterns in scene scores.

Exec Summary:
The screenplay demonstrates a strong grasp of emotional engagement and character conflict, which are essential for capturing audience interest. However, the consistent tense tone may risk alienating viewers seeking variety. Balancing emotional intensity with lighter moments could broaden market appeal and enhance viewer retention. The dark themes and character transformations are compelling but may require careful handling to avoid overwhelming the audience.
Key Suggestions:
To enhance the script's emotional resonance and character depth, consider integrating more moments of introspection following intense scenes. This can provide audiences with a deeper understanding of character motivations and emotional struggles, ultimately enriching the narrative. Additionally, varying the tone throughout the screenplay could create more impactful contrasts, making the emotional stakes feel even more pronounced.
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