Big Budget Tentpoles

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  • Big Budget Tentpoles

    Don't let so many comments deter or discourage you in writing your next 100+M budget film. People love them. People want them. Just saying.
    2011 Screenwriting Goal: 15 pages a day.

  • #2
    Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

    My manager is actually encouraging me to write one of these -- to think bigger than I have been. Much bigger. Especially since big budget action-thrillers with franchise potential are the types of screenplays that are selling right now -- and probably will be for some time to come.

    From what I'm hearing, if you can write the next SALT/BOURNE, you're in good shape.

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    • #3
      Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

      Writing/Thinking Big not only can impress the right people, but also demonstrate how well the writer can produce a "studio concept".

      SALT/BOURNE, minus the whole CIA angle. Most people cringe if I mention CIA in a pitch (which I don't really do, except to say that mine is NOT a CIA flick).
      2011 Screenwriting Goal: 15 pages a day.

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      • #4
        Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

        Originally posted by Lucha Scribre View Post
        Don't let so many comments deter or discourage you in writing your next 100+M budget film. People love them. People want them. Just saying.
        If big budget movies are the kind you love to write, go for it. Just as long as you're being realistic about where you send them. There's a market for all kinds of scripts. Are big budget movies harder to sell than low budget movies? Sure. Because there are less of them out there, fewer companies who make them, and the jobs are higher paying and more actively sought out by accomplished writers. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't write them if that's what you love to write.

        People do love big budget tentpoles (including me). If that's what floats your boat, go for it.

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        • #5
          Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

          I do write them, but I prefer a balance between the big stuff and smaller indie stuff. I only posted this topic to encourage writers who want to write big, not to be afraid of giving it a try.
          2011 Screenwriting Goal: 15 pages a day.

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          • #6
            Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

            It's not impossible but it's definitely harder, since the hugely expensive films hardly ever come from original specs but rather from novels, comic books and other IPs. Not as much with action thrillers, as SS said up-thread, but certainly with action adventure fantasies (LOTR, Harry Potter, Narnia, all the superheroes) --those flicks have HUGE built-in audiences before they even go into production.

            I just had a guy at Warner Bros tell me my tentpole was the right place to start conceptually and that he was in fact seriously looking for that kind of material, but then my story specifically was not what he wanted. BUMMER.
            Last edited by Rantanplan; 12-10-2010, 03:26 PM. Reason: Poorly structured sentence.

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            • #7
              Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

              Agreed.

              Sometimes I get the advice "just write it low budget to improve your odds."

              Hell no. I'll write the movie that needs to be written. Not big budget for the sake of being big budget and not low budget because I'm scared of finding someone to like it. It just is what it is. No sacrifices. Not when I'm writing on spec just trying to impress people.

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              • #8
                Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

                Originally posted by Lucha Scribre
                Did he like the script?
                Was it Warners directly, or a company with a studio deal?

                There are many ways you can use the "not specifically for me" for referrals elsewhere.
                He was at Warners and he made those comments based on the log and synopsis, he didn't read the script, which of course would have been great and could have generated some discussion between us (or not). I don't want to go into what my basic conceptual departure was, which he liked (a lot to mined there), but what I ended up writing was a four quadrant piece and he seemed to be looking for darker material.

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                • #9
                  Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

                  -
                  Last edited by TheCleaner; 03-02-2011, 06:52 AM.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

                    I think it's also a good idea to have another script that's in a more reasonable budget. That way if someone reads your tentpole and likes your writing, you've got something else to show them that might be more affordable to make.
                    Chicks Who Script podcast

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                    • #11
                      Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

                      Originally posted by emily blake View Post
                      I think it's also a good idea to have another script that's in a more reasonable budget. That way if someone reads your tentpole and likes your writing, you've got something else to show them that might be more affordable to make.
                      Agree with Ms. Blake. For sure you'll get more reads if you're looking for representation with a more modestly budgeted project.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

                        Originally posted by Lucha Scribre View Post
                        Writing/Thinking Big not only can impress the right people, but also demonstrate how well the writer can produce a "studio concept".

                        SALT/BOURNE, minus the whole CIA angle. Most people cringe if I mention CIA in a pitch (which I don't really do, except to say that mine is NOT a CIA flick).
                        I recommend the CIAA angle.
                        QUESTICLES -- It's about balls on a mission.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

                          Originally posted by Knaight View Post
                          I recommend the CIAA angle.
                          Or CAA.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

                            Originally posted by BurOak View Post
                            Or CAA.
                            CIAA.

                            I don't make typos.
                            QUESTICLES -- It's about balls on a mission.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Big Budget Tentpoles

                              Originally posted by Lucha Scribre View Post
                              Don't let so many comments deter or discourage you in writing your next 100+M budget film. People love them. People want them. Just saying.
                              A-Fvcking-Men, brotha!!!!

                              That said, for those looking to land a rep, it might be an idea to also write something a little more budget conscious. Buyers love clean hooks and high concept, but they also love scripts that are cheap to make. At least that's my theory on the whole game. And I'm sure you also know that I'm not suggesting you go out and write another contained thriller inside a box, ala Buried.

                              EDIT: Sorry, some people already suggested that advice.
                              Last edited by Terrance Mulloy; 12-13-2010, 05:21 PM.
                              @TerranceMulloy

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