Screenwriting : Tips for Writing a Micro-budget Script by Maurice Vaughan

Great tips Maurice Vaughan! I use these each time I write a micro budget horror script.

Thanks, Jane Tumminello. I do the same thing. A lot of micro-budget scripts are Horror. Drama, Comedy, Romance, Thriller, Crime, Mystery too. It can be hard to write Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Action micro-budget scripts, but it's possible with some creativity.

Good tips. One of the best things I ever did was start writing super-low-budget scripts. Not only does it push your skills, you end up with material that's very marketable.

Thanks, CJ Walley. You're right. I look at it like this: there are more producers, directors, and companies who can buy a $100k feature script than a $1MM script.

That's indeed true. The smaller projects are where you can really make an impact and learn too.

True, CJ Walley. It might be hard for a writer to sell their $10MM script (the one with a small, but impactful story), but it'd probably be easier to sell that script if the budget was $500k. Or that writer could write and sell a different micro-budget script and save the $10MM script until they're more established as a writer.

Absolutely, and it's worth remembering that a $100K micro budget film can quickly become a $50m one with the right cast.

Couldn't agree more CJ...If you're interested in planning and hiring for your micro budget film under 150k budget we have a live webinar & Q+a tomorrow, here is link with more info about the webinar https://www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-hire-crew-for-your-fea... & email me directly at edu@stage32.com if you have any questions!

Since I have directec 3 such films (all slightly more than 100 minutes long), I can only say that this is good advice. But for those who find it difficult to constrain themselves, there is the possibility to write, and then create an animated movie. Or a doll movie, as the 3rd one of my movies.

Thanks, Göran Johansson. Great advice! A doll movie as in stop-motion?

Oops, I should had told. Stop motion would had taken more than 1,000 hours for a whole movie. So I put on a morphsuit. Then one doll in front of greenscreen. Move the doll with sticks and strings. Took 600 hours to edit the whole movie.

That's a great idea, Göran Johansson! And it won't cost a lot. Thanks for the idea!

Great advice for keeping things grounded and production-friendly! Writing within practical constraints can really boost creativity and make the story shine. Love the idea of using sound and off-screen elements to create atmosphere—it’s such a smart way to suggest scale without blowing the budget. Thanks for sharing these tips!

Thanks, Laquan Copeland. You're right. Writing within practical constraints can really boost creativity and make the story shine. I remember one scene I wrote where I had to get creative so it won't cost so much whenever a director films it. The scene/mystery ended up being a better choice than what I had planned in the outline. You're welcome.

Every writer should have a 1-location script in his/her arsenal. What's your favorite 1-location movie? One of my favorites is a small 1991 movie called CLOSET LAND with Madeline Stowe and Alan Rickman, directed by Radha Bharadwaj.

You're right, Francisco Castro. Every writer should have a 1-location script in his/her arsenal. My favorite 1-location movie is Panic Room. I'll have to check out CLOSET LAND. Thanks for the movie rec.

Thanks, Maurice but is rhere a market for these? What are best places to Option/Sell? I do a lot of Crime and comedy shorts.

You're welcome, Jed Power. There's a HUGE market for micro-budget scripts. You can find producers and directors to pitch your scripts to by networking online and in person (at festivals, at events, and locally). Here are some blogs about networking: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/networking-41

She gave you great advice, Dan MaxXx! I tried to make two feature films way back. The first was a super big budget story. I made a lot of connections trying to make the movie though, including meeting a guy who eventually became my manager. If I was to do it all over, I'd write a micro-budget feature and make it.

Thanks, Maurice. Where do you find info on what to charge, and what terms to ask, for with a short? I would have no idea, if I got a nibble. Any books ,blogs or sites, etc. around with this ionfo?

You're welcome, Jed Power. I'm not sure if there are blogs, websites, etc. for that. I see producers and directors posting script leads on social media saying they'll pay $100-$500 for short scripts (sometimes less money, sometimes more). I sold four short scripts to a producer who I met on Stage 32 back in 2022. It was a simple contract. It said I get credit for writing the scripts and how much the producer paid.

Thanks, Maurice, You always seem to take time and are always helpful in answering questions. I would assume you have your own appreciative following here on S32. $100- 500, and writing credit, in simple contract makes sense to me. One thing -- When you sell like that do they acquire all future rights to the script or just rights to make that one flick, and all other rights stay withn you the author? Thanks, again, in advance. Best, Jed.

You're welcome, Jed Power. I sold all rights to the producer. I found this webinar on shopping agreements, options, purchase agreements, etc. www.stage32.com/education/products/your-definitive-legal-guide-to-shoppi...

Thanks again, Maurice

You're welcome, Jed Power.

Its sometimes much better to work with a limitation. Look at movies like Reservoir Dogs, Saw and Monsters. All made with severe limitations but the creativity they unlocked speaks for itself.

Speaking of one-location scripts, Maurice Vaughan. My one-location script, THE LAST GUARDIAN, was just selected for an OWA. Some crazy kismet there!!!

That's great, Francisco Castro! Congratulations on THE LAST GUARDIAN getting selected!