Writing alone? Not so much.

Long ago I switched from writing screenplays to writing novels because I believed that I needed "absolute full control" of my creations. Now, as I ease back into the Screenwriting world, I'm reminded that unless you're literally a genius, or figuratively an idiot, everything you create will be a group effort. Beta readers, editors, and friends will all influence and sometimes drastically alter your final product. And that will make it better. Accept that. Embrace that.

Thoughts on writing a "high concept & big budget" feature film script for a MUCH smaller budget

I have now written 2 feature scripts that, due to their setting and genre (far-future underwater science fiction (imagine "Dune" but replace sand with water)), would normally require a huge (100+ million) budget. However, knowing that would kill any chances of my stories making the big (or even small) screen, I specifically wrote my scripts to drastically reduce the CGI budget in a very organic way.

One of the things I liked about the TV series Firefly, was that 90% of the story took place inside the ship Serenity, and that was intentional for cost savings. However, it also forced the stories to be about the people inside and not on big sci-fi things outside the ship. I also based my stories on months spent at sea in my day job (oceanographer), where you tend to create external families and friendships to get you through the long days and nights. Both of my screenplays center on that type of "family" bonding and that allows you to focus on people and not get too carried away with plot. The plot is important and dramatic and life changing, but the center of the story is always how that plot affects the characters.

I do wish I could find a way to realistically estimate the budget. As a comparison, I use far less external "undersea" CGI shots than the recent 2020 film "Underwater" with Kristen Stewart, and it cost between 50-80 million. So I would estimate maybe 50 million, maybe even less since I spend far more time inside than out.

Join this conversation on Stage32

https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Thoughts-on-writing-a-high-concept-and-big-budget-feature-film-script-for-a-MUCH-smaller-budget

All books now on sale!

To celebrate finishing my latest screenplay, I have placed every single book of mine on sale. Check them out below:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joseph-Rhea/author/B002BLVGAY

First draft of Rogue Wave screenplay finished.

I am so busy writing these days that I completely forgot to mention that I finished the first draft of my feature screenplay, "Rogue Wave" 3 weeks ago. As of today I am halfway through a scene by scene hard edit after painfully cutting 9 pages to get it down to the magical "110 pages" basically required for spec scripts these days. Enjoying the process with no belief that it will ever be made into a film, because when I'm finished with it, I will start writing the novel version of the story. One way or another this story will be told. 

Today I began a new project - finally!

Today, March 19th 2023, I began my first new writing project in about 5 years.  I am finally writing the long-planned "prequel" story to my Novum saga. However, instead of writing it as a book, I'm writing a feature screenplay. In just one hour, I already have 6 pages completed, so I think this is going to go pretty fast. Hoping to get another 10 pages done today, maybe even more. I love this world I've created and I'm happy to be back inside it. 

More later...

NOVUM CHRONICLES is now available in hardcover!

The enemy has found our long-hidden refuge under the sea, the last colony of mankind. Will this be our final battle?

As the last descendants of Earth struggle to survive beneath the surface of an alien ocean, one man's discovery will lead him on a journey of redemption, while he fights to save what's left of his world.

Jacob Stone is a young man haunted by his past. When he reluctantly accepts a job to help pay for a transport submarine he inherited but doesn't want, he inadvertently awakens an ancient and terrible power. Its arrival triggers a chain of events that could destroy what's left of the human race or be the key to its future. But, is it a future he's willing to fight for, let alone die for?

Available worldwide in Paperback, Kindle ebook, free on KindleUnlimited, and now available for the first time in HARDCOVER!

Check out all editions at: JosephRhea.com/novum

NOVUM CHRONICLES (The Complete Novum Saga) is live worldwide!

The enemy has found our long-hidden refuge under the sea, the last colony of mankind. Will this be our final battle?

As the last descendants of Earth struggle to survive beneath the surface of an alien ocean, one man's discovery will lead him on a journey of redemption, while he fights to save what's left of his world.

Jacob Stone is a young man haunted by his past. When he reluctantly accepts a job to help pay for a transport submarine he inherited but doesn't want, he inadvertently awakens an ancient and terrible power. Its arrival triggers a chain of events that could destroy what's left of the human race or be the key to its future. But, is it a future he's willing to fight for, let alone die for?

Available worldwide in 600-page Paperback, Kindle ebook, or free on KindleUnlimited.

JosephRhea.com/novum