YOUR FIRST FEATURE FILM (Filmmaker Secret… 1-, 2- or 3-Week Shoots… Pick One.)
by Dov S-S Simens on June 2, 2020
YOUR FIRST SCREENPLAY
It is said that 1-page of script, formatted properly (Final Draft, MovieMagic, Writer Duet, Celtx, etc) becomes 1-minute of running time when shot.
Now everyone knows how long a half-hour sitcom or a one-hour drama is in page count…. Answer is 25 Pages (+/-) and 50 Pages (+/-)
But how long is a movie script that you need if you yourself are going to produce or direct it independently?
How many pages?
(If you want to Direct… Start with a 90-Page, 1-Location script… )
Learn How… http://www.WebFilmSchool.com
Answer is very simple but very few first-time writers pragmatically know it. Especially when writing their first magnum opus…
For the answer lies in how long (running-time) is a movie.
Is it 30-minutes? 50-minutes? 60-minutes? 70-minutes? 90-minutes? 100-minutes? 120-minutes?
Let’s use common sense.
Movie theaters are in the business of renting seats and selling candy… That’s how they make money… And the fascinating thing about movies is the price of admission for a movie no matter what the budget was… $50,000… $500,000… $5,000,000 or $50,000,000… is the same!
Plus, the price of admission has nothing to do with how long (running-time) the movie is.
Very interesting… So a Low-Budget, Micro-Budget or No-Budget film that becomes a movie is the same price of admission as a Mega-Budget movie.
And a 90-minute movie is the same price of admission of a 120-minute or a 180-minute movie. Also, very interesting.
Further a 90-minute movie is going to be 90-pages and 90-pages of details and problems to shoot… Whereas a 120-minute or 180-minute movie is going to be 120-180 pages of problems to shoot.
So logic states a 90-page script is easier to make than a 120-180 page script… Duh.
Finally, a 90-page script, a 90-minute movie can play in a theater and charge admission ($12-15) at 12:00, 1;30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30… or 8 times… Actually it will be 6 times when the theater allows time for the audience to leave, the theater to be cleaned and a new audience to enter with freshly bought popcorn…
Whereas a 120-180-minute movie can only screen 3-4 times in a day.
90-Page script…. make money 6 times in a day.
120-180-Page script… make money 3-4 times in a day.
Your 1st Feature Film Script logically states should be a 90-page (+/-) script….
(Coen Bros started with “Blood Simple” likely a 3-week shoot… Let’s see what you do with a 2-week shoot)
90-Page Script: 1, 2 or 3-Week Shoot?
OK. You have the great 90-Page, 1-Location script… Now what?
Being realistic if you are going to Direct it and launch your career… you are (A) not getting the money from Hollywood no matter how many seminars you attend or networking groups you join… you are (B) getting the money independent of Hollywood which means you will have very little money… and at the most enough to pay for a 1-week, 2-week or 3-week shoot with a non-union crew and two 4K digital cameras…
If a 3-week shoot (18-days) with a 90-page script you are a shooting schedule of 5 pages/day.
If a 2-week shoot (12-days) with a 90-page script you will execute a 7-8 page/day schedule… or 1-page in the can every 1.5 hours.
If a 1-week shoot (7-9 days) with a 90-page script you will shoot 10 pages/day or 1 page in the can every hour… which is totally doable.
THE FILM GURU’S OPINION
For a 1-week shoot you will need $30-50K.
For a 2-week shoot you will need $70-120K.
For a 3-week shoot you will need $200-300K.
I advise getting the great 90-page 1-location script (basically a stage play), partner with someone who has wealthy parents (not a joke) and get $70K+ (4-year Film School costs $250-$350 Thou) and execute a 2-week shoot, with a 3-week prep and a 6-week post.
You will have enough time to give the actors 2-3 takes and get Master, Medium & Closeups for coverage, with an excellent Camera Operator who wants to be a DP, with 2 4K cameras, and a superb professional, but non-union soundman.
Enjoy.
Happy Filmmaking
Dov S-S Simens
LEARN FILM MAKING… AT-HOME
Want to Produce, Write or Direct?
Want only facts… not theory.
Then either my Film School programs are perfect for you…
Plus, they are only $129-$289.
Real Knowledge. No-Theory. No-Bull.
Keep Up to date… Join our e-mail list.
http://webfilmschool.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=313d0b336735c6d5fbf1a8e9d&id=2c55446523
I have 10 True Crime Books published (about my career), several scripts, two TV shows have been made about me. I have one particular script that i would love to see made and work on it myself aside from all of the others.
It’s difficult to find unbiased articles about essay writing companies. However, the grade miners review by Scamfighter seems neutral enough: my experience from cooperation with that company was the same. I guess you guys can trust other reviews there as well. https://scamfighter.net/review/grademiners.org
As in many other situations, the right choice of the performer is already half the battle. I stopped at studyhippo after several very high-quality jobs. As they say, they are not looking for good from the good, therefore I order many semester tasks here for the second year. There is the experience of ordering a coursework – I note that the authors always cope very well.
https://papergraders.net/reviews/studyhippo-com/
Thanks a lot for writing this post in a very interesting way. Can you suggest to me any professional video editor? It doesn’t matter it is paid or free. https://www.affordable-dissertation.co.uk/
Thank you very much for this post, I agree with what is written there and I read something about it on the I also advise you to read to better best cv writing service uk understand this topic
I just couldn’t leave your website before telling you that I truly enjoyed the top-quality info you present to your visitors? Will be back again frequently to check up on new posts. https://www.kandlremodeling.io/
Thanks for this great information you shared. https://www.inbodiedwellness.com/
Glad to check this site, great info you shared.
Hello! I would like to share with you my last finding – a critique film writing service https://essays-panda.com/best-film-critique-writing-service That service is really amazing, the prepared my film critique and I got an “A” I’m so happy for such an excellent result. I can’t help but share this information with you guys.
good
Great article. Thank you for sharing.
mold removal
Nice article, glad that you shared it with us. web design
This is awesome! Thanks for this great share.
This is pretty cool for sure.
Wow! Those secrets are gem. Hope to get featured soon.
I really appreciate this blog. very useful. Thank you.
replace concrete driveway
I appreciate the work that you have shared in this post. Keep sharing! http://www.piiperdigitalsolutions.com
I am currently working in the film sector, and I am delighted to have discovered your website, which contains valuable information.
your post is pretty great, thank you for sharing!
HP 58 Toner Recycle Drill
I really enjoy your writing. I appreciate the knowledge you provide us in your postings, and I’d want to bookmark your page so I can read your posts again since you did a fantastic job. https://www.roofinghalifax.ca/
Thank you for sharing this great article. https://www.getshinedetail.com/
I really enjoy your writing. I appreciate the knowledge
OF course, they all make it so awesome because it is their specialty and mastery.
https://chiropracticofnaples.com/
Great blog. Keep sharing the great article.
Tree Service Bowling Green
Thanks, You’ve got the one-of-a-kind creative ability and have come up with a few of the foremost inventive thoughts. Fencing & Deck Pros of Milton, ON
Based on the information provided, the recommended length for a first feature film script is around 90 pages. The length of a movie is not directly related to its price of admission, and a shorter film may have more opportunities to be screened and make money. If you plan to direct a low-budget film independently, you may need to consider shooting schedules that allow for a one-week, two-week, or three-week shoot. The budget required for such a shoot can vary depending on the length of the shoot, but it can range from $30,000 to $300,000. Partnering with someone who has access to funds or seeking funding from alternative sources may be necessary to cover the costs. https://superiordraincleaning.com/
While I understand that you’re offering specific advice on how to execute a film project, it’s important to keep in mind that there are many different paths to creating a successful film. Not everyone has access to wealthy parents or the funds necessary to attend film school, and there are many talented individuals in the industry who have worked their way up through hard work and dedication.
https://tip-toproofs.com/
It’s also important to plan out the shooting schedule and budget realistically, based on the length of the script and available resources. A one-week shoot with a 90-page script is doable, but may require a higher budget and more efficient planning and execution. A two-week shoot may allow for more time and better coverage, while a three-week shoot may require a larger budget and more resources.
Partnering with someone who has access to additional funding, such as wealthy parents, can be a helpful strategy for independent filmmakers. Proper preparation and post-production time are also important to ensure a high-quality final product.
our company philosophy
Yaas! this is so informative. Thank you so much
You will have enough time to give the actors 2-3 takes and get Master it. All the best!!!
Joshua | Concrete company owner
The duration of a feature film shoot can vary depending on the complexity of the project. Generally speaking, it takes 14-16 weeks to shoot a feature-length film 1. However, some films have been shot in as little as 8 days 1 while others take 20-30 days 2.
Link: Tower Defense
Well, this filmmaker helped me a lot to pass my free time. Also Rankdle did a huge part of it.
Awesome blog, Very helpful thank you for sharing. fence repair Spring Hill, FL
We adhere to the operation philosophy of credit management, human-oriented, service-oriented and quality assurance, constantly optimize our business management, to make the most effort for the trust of every customer. Feilidi Digital Counter
Powerful enterprise management system, warehouse management system, strict product quality inspection system and convenient delivery system are suitable for each terminal PC/mobile platform. Feilidi Radar Sensors