By Stéphanie Joalland
Are you currently working on a micro-budget feature and in need of some help to write the script? My three evenings workshop Writing Your Micro-Budget Feature Workshop on Nov. 28th, Dec 5th and 12th will give you all the practical tools needed to overcome common obstacles.
Micro-budget films aren't just for writer-directors. Producers are craving scripts they could produce well on a small budget. The lower the budget the easier it is to recoup the cost, which is more appealing for them. Although micro-budget scripts present clear advantages in terms of feasibility it's often challenging for directors and producers to find scripts that can be truly made on a low-budget – let alone a micro-budget – so it seems that a lot of screenwriters are unaware of the reality of turning their vision into a film. So, the tips below would be a good place to start to remedy the situation:
1. Think like a producer...
2. Ensure it's a script you are passionate about...
3. It's okay to think big...
4. It's not because you can shoot your script cheaply that you should overlook the development process...
5. Make each character count...
6. Contained locations but you can still move around...
7. Keep it sweet and short...
8. Don't assume that because you don't have money it should be all talk-talk-talk...
9. Understand your industry context and the marketplace...
10. Beware of SFX and VFX...
It's just a starting point of course but a good place to start to make the most out of your minuscule budget. To learn more and to book a spot on my Writing Your Micro-Budget Feature course, click here.