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.

See other logline suggestions

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.

Claude
 Consider
GPT4
 Recommend
DeepSeek
 Recommend
Key Suggestions
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.
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
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

All of your scenes analyzed individually and compared, so you can zero in on what to improve.

Scene-Level Percentile Chart
Hover over the graph to see more details about each score.
Go to Scene Analysis

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Loglines
Presents logline variations based on theme, genre, and hook.