Story Spark

How it works

Move from intention to action in 3 easy steps that'll help to deepen your story, bring greater dimension to your characters, and broaden the commercial appeal of your project.

Pick a Project

Answer Questions

Get Results

With a script in mind, launch the assessment from this website. Set aside at least 10 mins.

There’s nothing to upload and no AI working behind the scenes! Simply respond to 13 questions about different dimensions of inclusive storytelling.

Once complete, receive personalized insights and actionable recommendations to spark inclusive ideas for your project, at any stage of the process.

Are there lead or supporting characters from underrepresented groups like women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, or disabled individuals?

Character

Diversity

Character Diversity

Are there lead or supporting characters who hold multiple underrepresented identities?

Character

Intersectionality

Character Intersectionality

Are underrepresented characters empowered and crucial to the plot?

Character

Dimensionality

Character Dimensionality

Does the story rely on, or intentionally subvert, common and/or reductive tropes or stereotypes about underrepresented communities?

Narrative

Portrayal

Narrative Portrayal

Are there any writers, directors, or principal producers from underrepresented groups like women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, or disabled individuals?

Creative Team

Diversity

Creative Team
Diversity

Does the story or its production open doors or break new ground for underrepresented storytellers, talent, or communities?

Groundbreaking

Inclusion

Groundbreaking Inclusion

How to use

Story Spark is a valuable creative partner in the storytelling process - when writing, revising, packaging, and beyond. It can and should be used throughout the lifecycle of a project to elevate the organic inclusion opportunities for any project.

Your use case:

You finish reading or writing a script and are interested in notes that would help maximize authentic inclusion in it

Story Spark can help you to:

Thoughtfully consider inclusion across the characters, story, and creative team
Prompt discussions with colleagues and/or collaborators about inclusion strengths and opportunities for the project
Build a roadmap to explore ways to authentically increase or embed more inclusion in the script

Your use case:

You are working on a script and preparing to deliver notes or do another writing pass

Story Spark can help you to:

Thoughtfully consider inclusion across the characters, story, and creative team
Have a common language to engage in conversations with the creative team about inclusion strengths and opportunities for the project
Build a roadmap to explore ways to authentically increase or embed inclusion in the script

Your use case:

You finish reading a script and are preparing to craft notes, write coverage, or share your POV on it

Story Spark can help you to:

Thoughtfully consider inclusion across the characters, story, and creative team
Prompt discussions with colleagues and/or collaborators about inclusion strengths and opportunities for the project
Build a roadmap of recommendations to explore ways to authentically increase or embed inclusion in the script

Your use case:

You have acquired or are actively considering a finished film or locked script

Story Spark can help you to:

Frame discussions with colleagues and/or the creative team about existing inclusion strengths and opportunities for the project
Prioritize the most impactful changes that might increase or enhance authentic inclusion if creative changes are still possible, or start to plan marketing considerations for release
Build a roadmap and access resources to support the project as it heads towards release

Your use case:

A client or collaborator seeks your expertise in shaping a project, storyline or character to maximize inclusion

Story Spark can help you to:

Provide a foundational framework that creates a common language for clients/collaborators around inclusion
Prompt discussions with clients/collaborators about inclusion strengths and opportunities for the project
Guide clients/collaborators towards partnering with you to explore specific solutions, strategies, and resources that authentically increase or embed greater inclusion in their project

FAQ

How much does the Story Spark cost?

Nothing! Story Spark is completely free to use. No registration is required and you can use it on demand whenever you need.

What information do I have to submit?

There’s no script to upload or specific project info to submit! Simply, answer a brief questionnaire about the current state of inclusion in your project and you’ll receive immediate insights on strengths and opportunities to optimize inclusion.

What kind of results does Story Spark generate?

Story Spark provides a 1-page snapshot of your project’s opportunity rating, its inclusion strengths & opportunities, as well as guidance on next steps to consider.

Where do my results go?

Your results remain private and individual responses are never shared. Remember to export your results at the end because they aren’t saved!

Is the goal for every movie to be “perfectly inclusive”?

No. Consider Story Spark as a thought-starter, not a test to ace. A script will never be “perfectly inclusive." The inclusivity of a project should work in tandem with its creative vision, so stay true to that while being open to the ways that authentic inclusion can enhance that creative vision and expand audience opportunity.

Are there other resources that can help me to maximize inclusion in my project?

Yes! Story Spark is a companion to the incredible work and expertise of many research institutions, advocacy organizations, and nonprofits that are invaluable partners and collaborators, for you to leverage when telling more inclusive stories, especially about specific underrepresented communities. Some of those organizations include CAA Amplify, Full Story Initiative, the Center for Scholars & Storytellers @ UCLA, USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative, the Geena Davis Institute, Inspire Justice, Storyline Partners, Color Of Change, NALIP, IllumiNative, GLAAD, RespectAbility, CAPE, Collective Moxie, The League, LaVant Consulting, and The Elizabeth Co, among many others.

Spark the next great story.

Launch the free tool

Created by Kamala Avila-Salmon, Head of Inclusive Content at Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, Story Spark offers a consistent framework that supports creators and executives in moving from intention to action to produce authentic and inclusive content. In collaboration with Inspire Justice and the Center For Scholars & Storytellers @ UCLA, Story Spark has been rigorously applied and refined across hundreds of scripts and films, leveraging the Authentically Inclusive Representation scale to quantify the potential impact of diversity on a film’s performance. After more than 3 years of successful integration with the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group film slate, the team is excited to broaden the reach of Story Spark in partnership with CAA Amplify, sparking discussions that elevate the creative process.