whats the best route to go if you can come up with unique original ideas, but have bad writing/too lazy to write?
-
Wondering which camera, gear, computer, or software to buy? Ask in our Gear Guide.
good ideas, but bad writing?
- Thread starter RealJasonBourne
- Start date
I think that says more about the business sense of the person with the money than the idea.
Explain your idea to a writer. If its good and they want to use your idea then you will be credited for the story. It is common in movies to see: "story by:" then "written by:".
You pay someone. Others have addressed the laziness issue but even great directors use friends who are script consultants to perfect a script.
You set up a production company. As the owner/manager, you hire a writer/director or writer to develop your idea. Typically, a script is optioned for about $5K though it can be much more. The WGA sets minimums around $15K for major productions. But typically you pay it in thirds once a contract is drawn up. One third up front, $2K. The second third when the first 60 pages are provided. And the final when the finished script (90-110 pages) is provided. It may need to be negotiated the cost of re-writes. Often the contract includes one free re-write. After that, re-writes are $2000 each. The production company has the right to consider this a work-for-hire so the screenwriter may or may not be given credit and would not have copyright unless agreed in the contract. As a W9 independent contractor, the writer receives no additional benefits. Typically, however, a writer/director will get one or both credits as part of their part of the project packaging.
There are many screenwriting services that will charge you to change your idea into a script. However, to recoup that money, you need to have a way of marketing the script. Most services do not market a script. As a production company, you can leverage your business and engage others to prepare a film marketing plan, attach talent (actors and/or director) and approach investors.
Okay, so $5000 for 100 pages. You think, that's $50 per page. A 100 page script takes about 3-4 months (about 100 days) with one re-write. So that's again about $50/day. So would you pay yourself $50/day to write your idea up as a script? Obviously many independent filmmakers have their own stories they want to tell. Why pay someone $50/day (or page), when you can do it yourself?
These great ideas of yours, are they worth $5000+? That's the question you need to ask yourself. I mean, you walk away with the finished work-for-hire script, make your own changes and slap your name on it. You paid for it. If you have your own production studio, you can proceed to market and produce it yourself and sell the finished film via many distribution options. There are certain deductible expenses as well. Not every film script you see was written by the person with the credit listed, at least not without uncredited assistance.
It is possible to find screenwriters who are willing to do it for free, for credit or deferred payment. It doesn't hurt to get a sample of their writing before you make the commitment. Whether you pay (or don't pay) for it, the quality can vary. Even then, you should have a contract between the two of you that outlines the credit and payment. In the end, if you expect that your idea is bankable, then the labor of the person who makes it a saleable product should be paid--whether yourself (through writing) or the hired scriptwriter. As a good friend reminded me once, credit is nice but it doesn't put food on the table.
Idea people are important. If you're forte is marketing and you have connections, that is a strength. Such a writing partnership with a marketing dynamo can be a wonderful collaboration in the entertainment world. The thing that's great about independent filmmaking is the ability to work with others, not having to go it alone if you don't want to. A production company that has a marketing/idea person, excellent crew and writer/director is going to be successful.
Last edited: