Tough conversation with the EP on my new film. They told my team what they are willing to raise (what they have direct access to), and now I have the unsavory task of going back into my script to see if I can start killing darlings to meet the budget limit.
We want 19 days. We get 16. The script is at 105 pages. Needs to be 100 (98 is preferable). Yes, this is the indie conundrum. Making all of the puzzle pieces fit without compromising the story. After careful examination, I know I can combine characters, kill some conversations, and at least one large set piece. I can cut some jokes, combine locations, and yes... take less of a writing fee. Can it be done? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. Do I like it? No. But this is the world of indie film. All kinds of BTS compromises are made to put the end product on the big screen, and in the end... that's what most of us want... Isn't it?
What are your experiences with reworking the script to fit the budget? I'd love to hear some stories from the trenches of storytelling vs. fundraising!
I've rewritten scripts for indie director-producers during pre-production and production, Michael Fitzer, Mfa. It was because of budget, location, dialogue, etc.
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Don't shoot what won't make the final edit. What's That mean, directors say to me. If the edit is the final rewrite, think like an editor and director in final post. What would you trim if you needed to for pacing and length? Review that in the script. Much footage is deleted in the edit, don't waste those resources if possible.
Decrease locations. Can you shoot the bedroom in the house you're already shooting in for another family? Shoot an office in a hospital, etc. Be tight with location moves, number of sets. Too many is often the norm. Same with cast. Eliminate dialogue or give it to someone already there that day.
Pre-shoot in prep scenes that can be done with a light unit or second unit footprint. Take them off the schedule. Or in the end. Shoot your longest interior set last, reduce crew as needed only for that location, get them wrapping instead.