Writing To Budget
Continuing with the previous discussion let’s establish that I’m a filmmaker not a screenwriter. I’m going through what most independent filmmakers go through and that’s having to consider budget when writing. Part of my decision to write this screenplay was having the intention to go out and raise funds to make a film no matter what the budget. We all know how difficult that can be so in order to make the filmmaking venture doable it’s probably a good idea to start small. I’m trying to do something with enough production value that it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. It’s not just about talent or budget or a great screenplay. It’s about all those things and the planets aligning in your favor. A little luck doesn’t hurt either.
So what brings your budget down? Available and limited locations, a small cast, lots of rehearsal time, shooting on video (maybe) are all ways of putting it on the screen for less. When writing with a budget in mind think of what is available to you. What can friends and family offer that you don’t have? Robert Rodriguez speaks about this at great length. He did a lot with very little. Neil Lebute’s In The Company Of Men is a good example too. Get ready to beg too.
Now take everything I just said and throw it out the window. As I started writing this I noticed I wasn’t taking any of my own advice because it’s dangerous. Writing with constraint can stifle you. It’s like a noose around your neck. I was envisioning something really simple for this project and then I started writing it. Scenes in locations that might be a challenge started presenting themselves. Do you stop at this point? The answer is no. You do what you should always do when writing – work it out on the page. Keep it fresh and challenge yourself. Write the screenplay your mind wants you to write. You’d be amazed at what you can do if you really want to make that film. The rest will take care of itself.
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Tags: Directing, film, Filmmaking, screenplay, Video