I’m convinced this is what’s at least partially responsible for the concepts behind scripts like Babel, Donnie Darko, Dog Day Afternoon, Fargo, Memento, etc. Sometimes a bizarre bit of news–like debris from a space shuttle crashing into someone’s house, for example–just speaks to you. Besides, your story has to start somewhere, right? And the old adage “the truth is stranger than fiction” has survived all these years for a reason.

For example, I was extremely interested in the Chinese boy who got to lead the Chinese team out for the opening ceremony of the Olympics alongside Yao Ming. Apparently, this nine-year-old boy pulled himself out of post-earthquake rubble to save two of his friends. I love Heroes and Unbreakable, but what about a child becoming a superhero before our eyes? Now, that would be cool.

Another news story that caught my eye was the baby who was found unscathed in the middle of a field, amidst tornado wreckage. How in the hell did that happen? Is there any other possible explanation other than divine or supernatural intervention for something so fragile surviving a natural disaster?

Apparently, I am captivated by kids surviving natural disasters, but I think most people would be. Everyone loves children (well, those of us who are right upstairs do), and there is nothing more reckless than a natural disaster. Innocence personified vs. blind carnage–captivating. Even if the news doesn’t give you your exact idea, it can definitely serve as the spark that ignites your concept or theme and gets you writing.

Watch the news every once in awhile. Pick up a paper while you are waiting, or even a magazine. Search for strange, and I’m betting a unique story will snowball out of your seach.

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Gandalf: Confound it all, Samwise Gamgee. Have you been eavesdropping?

Sam: I ain’t been droppin’ no eaves sir, honest. I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if you’ll follow me.

Gandalf: A little late for trimming the verge, don’t you think?

Sam: I heard raised voices.

Gandalf: What did you hear? Speak.

Sam: N-nothing important. That is, I heard a good deal about a ring, and a Dark Lord, and something about the end of the world, but… Please, Mr. Gandalf, sir, don’t hurt me. Don’t turn me into anything… unnatural.

- Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (IMDB)

Eavesdropping and people watching are a good ways to both generate story ideas and improve your dialogue writing skills. Listen to people. Watch people. Do it in line, at the mall, at the supermarket–people act nutty at the supermarket. Take a walk downtown and just observe. Keep an eye on how fans behave and talk at ballgames. Sit outside and check out how people interact with their dogs when they walk them. Watch people when you drive or ride in a car; people sing, put on make-up and do all kinds of wacky shit at stoplights and at traffic jams, or even while they’re driving.

Just try it–what do you have to lose? After a while, you will do it so well that not only will you go undetected, but you will also eavesdrop/people watch instinctively.

Music is a great place to search for inspiration for potential stories. Just tonight, a song was actually the spark for an idea that could very well become my next short or spec script. Yes, the idea is that flexible. This isn’t the first time a song has given me inspiration either. My short film Ember Like December is inspired by The Bravery’s “Tyrant” and The Cult’s “She Sells Sanctuary,” among other things. Often, a song is just a good place to begin, like a starting block for a sprinter. Hey, gotta get myself in the Olympic mood.

Spend some time listening closely to the songs you love, songs that resonate with you deeply. Not only will you come up with some cool story concepts, but you more than likely will also come up with stories that mean something to you, stories that say something profound.

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Lindsay Lohan’s 14-year-old little sis, Ali Lohan, accidentally auditioned for porn director Peter Davy recently. I’m sorry, but I just find this hilarious. From Stuff:

The singer - who is keen to follow in her older sibling’s footsteps by breaking into the acting industry - was followed by cameras for her reality show Living Lohan as she went to try out for a part in horror movie Trolls, but was unaware of the director’s porn connections…

Peter is most famous for directing erotic films including Voodoo Lust and Dreams in the Forbidden Zone.

Maybe this just reminds me of a funnier version of Zack and Miri Make a Porno (and I’m speculating that Kevin Smith’s cold streak will continue). Lindsay Lohan simultaneously gets in serious legal trouble and herself blacklisted in Hollywood. Also bankrupt, she desperately needs money for bail and legal fees. Since her entire family is also blacklisted from Hollywood, her little sister, Ali, has to stoop to appearing in a porn film to rescue her. OK, I’ve totally changed what really happened, but sometimes that’s how stories are born.

Yes, I have a sick sense of humor. I said it, and I feel better. Anyway, pay attention to the news, especially the quirky stuff. There are some great ideas out there that just need some tinkering.

I watched Brick, one of my favorite flicks from the past five years, last night. Like in any good detective or noir story, there’s a considerable amount of following people around, or tailing, involved. That got me thinking–has anybody ever followed me around before? Have I ever been tailed? Kind of gave me the chills.

Once in awhile I’ll post story starters–questions, statements and thoughts devised to help my fellow screenwriters out there brainstorm and concoct story ideas. I felt like this was a fantastic one to kick the series off with.

So, think it over…have you ever been tailed? Or in script speak, who’s looking at you, kid?