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2025 is a Perfect Time to Quit Filmmaking!

The alarm bells are ringing—what once seemed like a viable career path for filmmakers is disappearing. Studios are slashing productions, Netflix is cutting its slate by nearly half, and international film incentives are outpacing anything the U.S. has to offer. Meanwhile, budgets keep shrinking. Is film even culturally relevant anymore? It’s been demystified. It’s everywhere, yet nowhere. Every year, it gets harder for actors, directors, producers, crew, and screenwriters to pay their bills. From Hollywood Read more…

By filmbusinessplan, ago

Screenplays in Limbo

SCREENPLAYS IN LIMBO: FROM FESTIVALS TO FILM SETS A screenplay is meant to be filmed, not just admired. You’ve racked up dozens of laurels. Your script is winning awards. That’s amazing—but what now? Be honest—has all that recognition actually brought you closer to getting your film made? Or are you stuck in limbo, waiting for someone to take the next step? The Harsh Truth: Festivals Don’t Get Films Made Submitting your screenplay to festivals feels Read more…

By filmbusinessplan, ago

The Future of Film is Ancient

Static. That’s all I feel I’ve been watching for the last few years. White noise. There’s a reason why content doesn’t anchor itself in our memories. Doomscrolling, dopamine hits—here and gone. Our fingertips are now calloused from endless swiping, when once they were worn from working with wood and stone. Hollywood didn’t invent storytelling. Our ancestors did. Hollywood is no longer a museum of dreams; it’s a content farm. And you are not invited. Before Read more…

By filmbusinessplan, ago

Roadmap to a $700,000 Film

ROADMAP TO A $700,000 FILM $700,000 is by far my favorite budget range for an indie film! You can achieve so much at this level. This is a more personal post because I’m currently packaging two $700,000 films: one is a horror project, and the other is a Christmas family comedy. Your goal should be to create a film worthy of a limited theatrical release, ideally with a same-day Video-on-Demand (VOD) release to maximize sales. Read more…

By filmbusinessplan, ago

Roadmap to a $300,000 Film

ROADMAP TO A $300,000 FILM Last week I wrote about the Roadmap to a $150,000 film. This week we are covering a $300,000.00 film. Script Notes At $300k, your script should be no more than 95 pages. Every page has a price tag, and costs compound quickly. Keep it contained—Dramas, Horror, Comedy, and Family films work well within this budget range. Always include scenes you can envision in your movie trailer—these are your selling points. Read more…

By filmbusinessplan, ago

Roadmap to a $150,000 Film

ROADMAP TO A $150,000 FILM A few weeks ago I wrote that every filmmaker and screenwriter should have multiple scripts in different budget ranges. The main indie film budgets are $150k, $300k, $700k, and $1 million. Script Notes When crafting a $150,000 film, self-contained scripts are key. Think horror, intimate dramas, or personal faith-based stories. Keep the cast to under 10 major roles and limit locations to one primary cinematic setting with 5-10 additional spots Read more…

By filmbusinessplan, ago

IS PITCHING OVER IN 2025?

IS PITCHING OVER IN 2025? Do you think Netflix is going to option your screenplay? Los Angeles is at a standstill—COVID, strikes, dwindling film incentives, and now the fires! Should screenwriters start thinking more like producers? This article is from Stacey Parks, one of the original pioneers in distribution and financing. She’s been in the industry for decades, and I’ve been following her insights for over 20 years. Here’s what she has to say about Read more…

By filmbusinessplan, ago

AI Filmmakers

GenX Filmmaker Rant of the Week​ ​ This week, I had two conversations that left me rethinking everything I thought I knew about filmmaking: A DP and Producer friends of mine are working on a vertical feature film (yep, iPhone framing). Low six-figure budget. It’s targeted at an Asian market, but guess what? Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok might follow with micro-series. A director raising money for an animated film shared their AI-generated sizzle reel with me. Read more…

By filmbusinessplan, ago
one sheet

Film Producer Script Coverage Report

You Have a Screenplay. What’s Next? Turning your screenplay into an independent film can feel overwhelming. The best way to approach it? One micro step at a time. That’s where the Film Producer Script Coverage Report comes in. This in-depth assessment evaluates your screenplay through the lens of a Producer, answering critical questions such as: Where does my script fit in the current film market? What’s a realistic budget estimate? Should I produce the film Read more…

By filmbusinessplan, ago

Film Slate 2025

Why every filmmaker needs a slate of films for 2025! If you want your screenplays to be produced and financed you need to have a slate of scripts in different budget ranges. Your goal is to have your film funded! ​ Here are the SAG indie film budget tiers. ​ $50k to $300k – Ultra Low Budget $300k to $700k – Moderate Budget $700k to $2 million – Low Budget $2 million plus – Regular Read more…

By filmbusinessplan, ago