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If you’re in the middle of writing your script, or even thinking about getting started, this is the moment to consider how every creative decision you make will impact your budget and schedule. Trust me, when you’re on set, these decisions start to add up fast.

Pages Equal Time, Time Equals Money

We’ve all heard it: 1 page of script equals 1 minute of screen time.

But how long will it take to actually MAKE that 1 minute of the movie?

On an indie film, you’re looking at 2 hours to film 1 page.

On big-budget productions, it might take 5-6 hours to shoot 1 page, especially if you’ve got stunts, special effects, or multiple camera setups.

That means for every extra scene or page you write, you’re adding hours, sometimes days, to your shoot.

It’s not just the minutes on screen that count. It’s the hours and dollars behind the scenes.

Write Within Your Means

Here’s the hard truth: if you don’t know how to execute something, don’t write it in. I’ve seen too many filmmakers write in massive set pieces or big scenes requiring 40 background actors, thinking they’ll figure it out later, only to realize they don’t have the resources and end up cutting it, which changes the whole story.

Write with your resources in mind.

Ask yourself:

• Do you have access to that location?
• Can you pull off that stunt?
• Will you have the budget to safely hire professionals for it?

If the answer is no, rework it before it becomes a logistical headache that disrupts your story. It’s easier to solve these challenges now, on the page, than it is to scramble on set or cut scenes during pre-production.

Don’t Let Ambition Derail the Plan

Ambition is great.

But it has to be backed up by practical execution. This is why planning is crucial.

We spend a lot of time breaking down our screenplay into its components, calculating not just how much each scene will cost but how long it will take to shoot (we do have an advantage in that we come from Assistant Directing backgrounds, so we know scheduling).

Some scenes may look simple, but when you factor in things like location changes, complex setups, or specialized crew (like armourers, stunt coordinators, or intimacy coordinators), the costs and time can spiral quickly.

If you know your budget is tight, don’t write in scenes that require a ton of specialty crew or multiple locations. This is the moment where your creative decisions directly impact your shooting schedule and budget. Every hour spent on set is money out of your pocket, and those hours can add up fast when you’re not paying attention.

Make Smart Choices Early

At this stage, the best advice I can give is to write smart. Build your screenplay around what you know you can access or do well.

If you have a great location or a talented actor you can rely on, write to those strengths. If you’re unsure how to execute something, either learn how or reconsider including it.

It’s better to adjust now than to have to cut later because you can’t afford it.

As an independent filmmaker, the best superpowers you can develop are logistics and planning.

The more you think about how your script translates to real-world shooting, the smoother your production will run and the more you’ll get out of every dollar.

Cheers,

Anthony (He/Him)

PS Scratch to Screen, the Indie Filmmaker's Playbook to a Micro-Budget Film in 52 weeks, has started. Check it out and let's make a movie together!​
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​Unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish, BC) and Tsleil-Waututh (Vancouver, BC) territories.​
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"13 Miles" a Telefilm grant recipient, is now available to watch!

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Unfrayed, A Western Short Film -A bloodied Mei stumbles into Betty's campfire and discovers not only sanctuary but also, an ally. Click here to find out more.​

Pickled Rabbit Short Film - Sharon makes a desperate attempt to earn her dying mom's love. There's a cult, a foreign god... and maybe a monster transformation. Click here to find out more.​
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