“Keep it simple. Get it done.”

A guest post from Screenwriting Master Class co-founder and screenwriter Tom Benedek:

We are dreaming big every time we sit down to write. There’s no way of knowing the outcome unless we write the script, envision the best outcome every single day. Write a great script. Don’t restrain yourself creatively. AND we all know that budget matters, that writing a small script may be a good idea.

Here is what producer Cathy Schulman says about studio projects and all the others.

Spend time in “the world of other.” In today’s movie making world, 25% of work product is happening in the studios. 75% of work product activity is happening outside of that. But, most of the money is being made in that 25 percentage. I call it the world of other rather than Indie films. Independent brings all these connotations like it has to be artsy and the reality is that movies like “Rush” are independent. Trying to work in the studio world is pretty inaccessible for most people and not really worth focusing your business energy on unless you’re one of the lucky few eight white men that do it. Spend your time in the world of other.

She’s not pulling any punches. And she’s speaking as a producer. Her great list of 7 Producing Tips is right here.

Really, her entire list applies to the world of screenwriters. Low budget scripts are that world. I’m writing a script right now that is designed to be made DIY. The limitations are pushing me, pulling me in a fantastic process. Really using one location for most of your screen time means the characters have to carry the story.

I am teaching a Writing the Low Budget Script class online next week.

Anybody want to hear my logline? I’d love to hear yours.

For more information on Tom’s Writing the Low Budget Script class, go here.