With all the big sequels, remakes, adaptations, video games, comic books and book series being turned into movies these days, I find it fantastic that one of the biggest summer blockbusters is going to the be the truly original “Inception,” written and directed by Christopher Nolan.  And I think it’s going to help change what studios are looking for.

But here’s the thing: could YOU have sold a script like “Inception” in this market? No, probably not. It’s a huge movie, a very cerebral movie, and an original idea, much like “The Matrix,” was years ago, where it needs to be guided by an experienced hand with a proven track record and have great attachments. Studios would never green light a movie like this unless it was written by, directed by or starred someone that promised little risk and had a strong fan base.  But I respect the picture because it’s one of the few times where a writer/director actually used his clout in the studio world to make a movie that isn’t exactly like everything else.

Christopher Nolan has made a name for himself by creating original ideas, telling them in an original way, creating original visuals to match, and bringing that out on film. From “Momento,” to “Batman Begins” to “Inception,” Nolan has shown that he is not just an A-list studio writer and director, but he’s also an artist. And that’s severely lacking in today’s cinema. This isn’t meant to be a PR piece for Nolan, but with all the crap getting made, it’s nice to see a project that might just live up to the hype.

I like my popcorn movies and my tent pole blockbusters – I don’t want to watch artsy experimental shit all day long – it’s depressing. But what I love most is when a filmmaker (especially one who also writes the material) is able to make both sides of my brain happy. A smart, cool, and original  popcorn movie. Not many know how to do that.  Sure, there are plenty of directors that can bring a smart popcorn movie to life – Spielberg, Fincher, Ron Howard, Ang Lee, etc. But how many writer/directors are out there other than Chris Nolan, that know how to achieve that kind of balance?

Let’s see…Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Michael Mann, Cameron Crowe, the Coen Brothers perhaps, and maybe the newest entrant to this category – J.J. Abrams. I know there are others you can probably think of, but there aren’t many. It’s these talents that studios will write a blank check for. Directors always say that they couldn’t find a great project, so they wrote one themselves. That’s how Nolan got started. And if you can write, then it’s a great way to go.

Just as interesting as how Nolan got “Inception” made, is why. People want to be in business with him, and because he’s in that enviable position, he gets carte blanche at the highest of levels. But he didn’t start out that way. If he didn’t have the reputation he has, the deals he has, the representation he has – and of course the talent - he never would have been able to make a movie like this.

So, the lesson for writers out there is that power breeds choice. Write that fantastic original big budget project. But more than likely, you’re going to need to build your name and reputation and contacts and resume first before you’ll be able  to sell it. But when you’ve made it, and you finally get to make the project the way you want to, it will have been worth the wait. Just ask Mr. Nolan.