Screenwriting : Budget you story! by Stevan Šerban

No

Sometimes. Not a specific budget, but I often write with production in mind, so a script may be written with limited locations and speaking roles knowing that it can be made on a lower budget. One of the specs I'm writing next year was designed with limited cast & locations so that a studio could make it with a star but it would still be inexpensive. It's an action film about preventing a Presidential assassination that is kind of a siege story (limited locations built in).

I generally have a budget in mind. I'm trying to build a portfolio of screenplays with a wide-range of budgets.

I do now for some stories. It depends on what I'm doing with the story when I finish it. Am I gonna shoot it or sell it?

For spec scripts, budget shouldn't be a concern. Just tell the story. But if you're writing to order for indie or low budget Hollywood studio productions it makes sense to have some vague idea of how the cash wheel is spinning as you write.

I never had/have.

It's not about the cost per se, it's about the benefit to cost ratio. I don't write to a budget, but I figure out what the budget would be after it is done. If the benefit to cost is really bad (producers want 2.5 B/C, by the way), as in, dangerously close to 1, then I gotta rewrite it just to make it cheaper or more marketable. I say let your creativity be free, but after you get feedback on the story, be a realist and evaluate the financial prospects, and be prepared to change something to help them. I say you can still do this without losing art.

Give it time, Becca! I just started doing it myself because other opportunities presented themselves on S32.

I, like Jason have done the same thing. After writing a screenplay I look at how many locations or sets would be needed. I will say as my story is coming together I seem to write within what ends up being logical and true to the story. Not try to make something more outlandish than it needs to be just for effect.

Hi Emily, Pierre, Kathryn, Becca, just look the request at InkTip, MovieBytes-WinningScripts and other websites if you want to post your script on it!

Initially I wrote scripts that required a decent budget, but an unknown was extremely unlikely to achieve that goal - so lately I've written scripts for a more realistic budget - I enjoyed the exercise because it forced me to concentrate more on character and story, less on CGI/effects - incredibly, in some reviews I was criticised for not aiming high enough, LOL, geez.

Hi Chanel, great! You must think of budget before you start to write your script, location, cast, effects, etc.

As a creative person I have an immediate negative reaction when anyone tells me I "must" do something. I write with budget in mind when it's appropriate. I write the story I want to tell regardless of budget when that is appropriate.

Producers are customers. When he/she come in to a script store they look at the price and/or the quality of the goods, and than they choose if they want to buy cheep or expensive goods! If you wrote your story without thinking about a budget then you offer your script without a price!?!?

I think I'm misunderstanding you. Are you talking about the fee I charge for my script? Or the potential budget of the movie production? When a producer comes into my "script store" (I love your analogy!) they have choices. Different genres, different budgets. When they find something they like we then make a deal for the price they pay. But I (the writer) do not think of budget before I start to write my script. I think of story and characters only. When you say we must think of budget before we write I completely reject that.

If I'm making the film with my friends on a shoe-string indi budget, I absolutely think of the budget with everything I write. It affects things, but it really just adds new rules to the writing. "Do what you can with what you have." Write accordingly. If the script is being written for a studio, go big if the story calls for big. The budget is not your concern.

Hi Rick & Marcus! When you have a chance to built your own house will you start just with a picture how the house will look like or with the budget for the house you will built?

We can all write a screenplay for a $70-200mill budget, but we all will not see it made - we can all write a screenplay for a $2-10mill budget and it becomes a possibility/plausible - when one writes a script with a sale in mind, one surely has to take the budget into consideration - those of us who are yet to succeed and do not possess the requisite credentials I would advise not to proceed writing if a $200mill budget is required - sure, write one if you have the need to get that story out, but it's not the one you write if you want it sold.

Only in a world where I can buy a sandwich with a song will I use a picture to build a house.

Welcome Stevan, nice to have someone from the balkans onboard, Serbia is a pretty country - I love my chevapchichi, served with raw onion, capsicum and tomato - and can't forget the BBQ sauce - is your name Stavro in your country?

I don't, because I write spec scripts.

I'm a writer not a house builder. I can tell you what I do as a writer. I cannot tell you what I would do if I built a house. The way I understand both is that they are very different. You tell me writers "must" write with budget in mind. Chanel says a writer "surely has to" take budget into consideration. I disagree. You are too restrictive for my creative taste. Best to you both.

Hi Marcus! You are wrong! When you start to write your story you write for indie movies, B productions or blockbuster , remember all stories are already were told! So it is your choice!

No Rik, the budget IS my cocern! Are you blind?

Ok. Rick build your house on a sandwich with a song!

Hi Chanel, my name is STEVAN! Welcome aboard!

Good for you Tom!

Hi Marcus, I think producers will disagree with you!

Nice to hear you rat with hat!

Stevan, you can write exactly what you want to write. I take issue with you telling me what I must write. And that I am wrong. We disagree - I am not wrong, I have a different opinion than you do. I'm sorry you can't respect that.

D Markus, if you start to write an SF screenplay is it possible, at your opinion, to not think about budget?

I write within my means unless I am trying to sell it.

If you want to be creative write a great novel, not screenplay. How can you not to think a budget if you write a SF screenplay with a lot of special effects, or when you write a great love story with many exotic locations?

Stevan, you have a strong opinion and we respect that opinion, but you must also respect other people may have a different opinion - you seem to be trying very hard to impose your personal view on those that disagree with you, do you really think that is necessary? Perhaps you could let people come to their own conviction/conclusion with a form of harassment, just a thought, Stevan.

Correction "…without a form of harassment,"

Chanel, my arguments for "thinking about budget when you write your screenplay" is: When you post your script at any website like: InkTip, MovieBytes-WinningScripts, The Black List..... each, but literally every request for information about your screenplay related to the budget. 1. Budget – micro(less than $1M), low($1M-$5M), mid($15M-$50M), big(more than $50M) 2. Number of characters 3. Number of location 4. Target group 5. Pg rating, G, PG, PG-13… 6. Is your screenplay 4Quadrant movie So I have not heard a single reasonable argument to not to think about budget before you start to write your screenplay! Screenwriter is just a one member of a big team. Film making is an industry which one part is screenwriting and there is a lot of rules which you accept if you want to be a part of a team. But when you write a novel you are free to do whatever you want, like a bird on a sky!

Question: Do you have a budget in mind when you write? Answer: It's subjective. The reasons have been very well explained by the people and the posts above. Question: Why wouldn't you not think of about a budget when righting a screenplay? Answer: Because you're a writer, not a producer. You have a story and a pitch; that's it. Of course anyone looking to buy your story would want an idea for a final budget, but anything you pose is an absolute guess. They know that. They just want a vague estimate. Again, unless you're making the film, the budget is not your concern. The websites ask for budget for another variety of subjective reasons. This question should never sway your story.

Stevan, you have not heard a single reasonable argument to not think about budget before you start to write your screenplay because you are not listening. You have your agenda and your mind is made up so no matter what anyone with a different opinion says you call it unreasonable. That way you win.

I'm writing a spec, when I'm in the re-writing phase, I attempt to trim down locations and characters. I combine minor characters, and locations when it doesn't significantly effect the story. So in answer to the question, I first write the story, and then through the re-write process I consider budget. I try not to let monetary considerations hinder my initial story, but through re-write process I attempt to align the story to a prospective producer's needs.

Hello! There is a new Writing Gig posted on the International Screenwriters' Association website. WORKING PRODUCER LOOKING FOR CLEVER LOW-BUDGET SCI-FI (Link) I am a working Producer/ Line Producer with notable indie theatrical credits and access to financing. I have a couple of new directors with award-winning shorts and commercial reels who are in need of first time features. Therefore, we are seeking feature scripts. I am open to all genres with the caveat that the films must be able to be done in the $1MM to $3MM range with name talent. Of particular interest are: Smart Thriller Horror Science Fiction ideas with a unique twist Think "The Usual Suspects," "The Others," or "Another Earth." Please submit a logline and synopsis. Full scripts will be requested if we are interested.

Lance Thompson Screenwriter and Actor at Bagpipe Luau Budget is definitely a consideration. The budget will determine whom you can market the script to. If you have a charming contemporary tale about some kids lost in the woods, you know it can be made independently for a few hundred thousand dollars. If you have a Western with a cattle stampede, a cavalry charge and a locomotive collision, you know it will need a big studio budget. Budget doesn't determine the quality of the story, but the writer should have an idea of what the cost will be to bring it to the screen.

Tammy Gross Proof-Editor, Award-Winning Screenwriter, Music Arranger Believe it or not, audiences still want to see big movies. And more incredibly, filmmakers want to know budget not just because they're cheapskates, but because they're looking for big stories. They WANT someone who dreams big. I see the posts about small budgets too. Guess what...those are STARTING filmmakers. They are often nobodies without funding. Yes - it's great to vie for a place at Sundance or other film festivals where small budget is celebrated. Do you pay to see those movies in the theatre? Do you set your DVR & buy the DVDs for those? If you do, you're probably an aspiring filmmaker. Movie theaters may be dying, but I pray to God that big stories with awesome visuals are not. It's almost 2015. We can put ANYTHING OUR IMAGINATION CAN COME UP WITH on the screen. Why limit that?

So any writer submitting to that producer must submit what that producer is looking for. This "proves" your limited, closed-minded statement for THIS specific situation. You win!

what was the point of asking that question at all? You step into an open forum asked an open ended question but got mad when somebody give you a different answer than what you are looking for? Lol

What about Lance Thompson's and Tammy Gross coments? This is not "my opinion"?

It's been answered, at great length. You're just trolling, looking for fights. I'm done here.

Yep. Time to let this go. It really isn't a discussion when the persons mind is closed.

Nope, but I'm not doing another feature for a while. While I didn't see it mentioned here you may try single or limited location for budget concerns. Maybe if someone were real good at it they could make a crapload about 80 minutes or so and sell a bunch getting credits. There ain't a ding dang, darn, damn bad thing about it either. Sometimes I enjoy those movies that really aren't B movies, just a decent flick. Speaking of flick maybe I should outside flick my lighter and come up with ten idea's then keep four or five, then outline them then pick two or three to write, then develop a parrallel series. and get rich. Nah, just a fleeting thought. I like television and got to keep my brand, focus heading there. For someone wanting to do feature, not a bad idear though.

Of course Dan! What I am trying to say is that the budget can be a limited factor in screenwriting! That is the point of my post!

The only time I write with a budget in mind is when I'm hired by someone and they say, "This is going to have ____ budget." 'Blue Holes' had such a tight budget I was asked to limit pages per location and one A list star's scene had to be less than two day's worth of shoot because that was all he could get him for! Other times I'll write freely and later the director or producer will say something like, "Lets tone this scene down for less effects/stunts due to budget, for now."

Locations (type and number), spec.effects, A list stars ( sometimes A list star accept engagement in low budget production for a very small fee, if he/she like the story )... all of this can ruin a good story if you have a low budget. Also big budget $50M and more, can create a great movie with quite average story. Thinking about budget, before you start to write your story, may limit creativity , at my opinion, for some genre (SciFi, horror, action, adventure, animation, fantasy, historical...) but for some genre... maybe not.

I always keep budget in mind. This is something execs want to know when pitching. If it's $200K or $50 million, I go into the story knowing this. In the horror genre in particular, many production companies are looking for genre material under $5 million, (i.e. the next Conjuring or Insidious movie). If you have a $100 million genre film, it will probably be hard to sell. Business and creativity do have to mesh during the writing process, and I believe it keeps the story in line with what the original intention was, while outlining in the beginning of the story telling process. Budget becomes extremely important if I plan on producing the project on my own. With my first feature script, my attempt was to create a quality thriller under $250K. Best wishes to all. Always be creating!

Thanks Phillip, this was argumentative attitude regarding the budget and writing!

Dan, finally, that is the attitude!

Emily, this is the fair price for blockbuster!

Write and be true to your story, but understand the realities of production and budgets these days in Hollywood. Fewer films are being made and the gap between tentpole and everything else is huge: http://scriptcat.wordpress.com/2011/10/15/should-you-consider-budget-whe...

YES. Because good writing trumps -- and if your script is mediocre then even a big budget will not save it. Focus on writing better and then $$ might find you.