Reader Question: Should I write a big budget spec script or not?
Write what you’re passionate about, but there are some good reasons to balance that by putting on your producer’s hat.
Write what you’re passionate about, but there are some good reasons to balance that by putting on your producer’s hat.
Question from @jongarcia3:
do you see any value in an unknown writing a big budget high concept spec? Or should one stick with lower budgets?
This is a really good question. It flies in the face of the usual advice professional screenwriters give to aspiring writers: Write what you’re passionate about.
In one respect, that is great advice. If you are coming from a place of real, genuine passion for a particular story, it is much more likely you will (A) finish the project, (B) infuse the project with the power of your emotion, and © create words that lift up off the page and into the imagination of a reader.
However…
Scripts do not exist in a vacuum. They pass from hand to hand… or more accurately computer to computer or iPad to iPad… in Hollywood’s acquisition and development circle (same goes for any other global entertainment center). The decisions made there are largely determined by market forces.
This is the reality: If you write a “big budget high concept spec,” something that will cost $100M or more, there are perhaps 5 buyers in Hollywood (the major studios) your reps can send that script to.
If on the other hand, you write a low budget high concept spec, something between $10M and under, there are dozens and dozens of potential buyers: major studios, mini-majors, financiers, etc.
Putting on your producer’s hat and looking at that strictly through the lens of rationality and logic, which approach makes more sense? Low budget, right?
But here’s the thing: Creativity is not strictly about rationality and logic. This brings us back to passion. Even if you come up with a great low budget story concept, but you have little to no personal resonance for the material, don’t write that. If, however, you have an incredible story concept that will require $100M to produce and you are absolutely in love with it, write that.
First off, it may sell. These things do happen.
Second, even if it doesn’t sell, it can serve as a great writing sample and get you meetings all over town.
Third, let’s say it doesn’t sell, but you parlay the script into meetings, then into writing assignments, then into produced movies. That script with the $100M budget you wrote is an asset in your library. And now that you’re a known commodity and the buyers feel comfortable with you as a writer as well as a creative, perhaps they will look again at your script figuring, “Maybe this writer has got something here after all.”
But jon, before you commit to any writing project, high budget or low budget, make sure you have a strong story concept. Put it to the test. Pitch it to your friends. Tell it to strangers. Work and rework the logline. Give it the six word test (can you sum it up in six words and do those six words convey the story in a vivid, interesting way).
Above all else, ask yourself this question: Is this a movie? When I interviewed John Swetnam, he suggested this as the final test of a story idea and I think he’s right. If you are honest with yourself — Can I see this opening on 3,000 screens this weekend? Can I see the movie poster? Can I envision the poster? Would a director and actors be passionate to make this movie? — and you really believe your story concept is a movie, and — as noted — you are passionate about it, then by all means, write it.
Big budget, low budget, if you write the hell out of it and it’s a great script, chances are, it will find someone who will champion it.
For 100s more reader questions and answers, go here.