What Should I Charge for Script?

V

Visualwriter

Hello,

I've recently been asked to write a feature film by a friend. Though this will be my first screenplay I am working with an experienced screenwriter and editor. The script already has a buyer but I have no idea what to charge and have no specifications on production budget or anything else. I am aware that the film is low-budget indie and likely not WGA. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Charge 3% of the total budget. If they won't give you that number start
with an fee of $25,000. If they are not making an $800,000 movie and
will not tell you the budget then ask them what they can afford for your
script.

Then ask the experienced screenwriter you are working with if that seems
like a fair number. Or come back here and tell us what their offer is.

Since this is your first screenplay even $2,000 would be pretty good, right?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
How did we jump from $25,000 to $2,000 so quickly?

How much time do you expect to commit to this script? What is your time worth? Is this an original story or an adaptation? I am not judging the difficulty one way or the other, but this could impact what you are comfortable with.

In your mind weigh these questions around a 3-5% of the films budget and go from there. Maybe its worth under charging a bit if you didn't kill yourself writing it and want to foster a relationship.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
pictureplanet said:
How did we jump from $25,000 to $2,000 so quickly?
Click to expand...
Because I don't know what the budget is. It is unreasonable for a first time
writer to ask for $25,000 to write a script for a movie budgeted at $15,000.
Without any knowledge I offered several different solutions to the question
in an effort to be helpful.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top