Cheap Shots: Writing Shoestring Budget Movies

If you’ve ever wanted to write a micro-budget indie film that could premiere at SxSW or Sundance, this course is for you. You’ll learn how to craft screenplays that lean into a limited budget, so you can write film festival-quality short scripts or movies that you can later produce for $1,500 or less. 

First, you will learn to craft industry-standard treatments, and how to organize and draft your screenplay. Then, we will collaborate to revise story ideas, by offering supportive feedback on each other’s creative choices. You’ll learn to create three-dimensional characters and structure a fully-developed story, and you’ll ultimately draft a complete screenplay for a short film. I and your coursemates will provide constructive feedback through each phase of the course.

Whether you want to start producing videos for YouTube or social media, or to craft the next film festival darlings, join us and get your script written.

Who This Course is For:

If you want to transition into movie writing, and wish to self-produce your own scripts into short films, this course is for you.

Learning and Writing Goals

Learning Goals

In this course, you will learn:

• Storytelling that features dynamic obstacles and clear beginnings, middles, and ends.
• Strategies to create three-dimensional characters. You will practice generating compelling characters who are driven by clear motivations, detailed backstories, fears/weaknesses, and other character elements.
• How to use story structure to present an original idea. You’ll explore 3-act structure, among other techniques.
• How to offer and receive feedback on story ideas and choices wihin your script.

Writing Goals

In this course, you will write:

• One short script suitable for production on a limited budget.
• Industry-standard treatments for your film idea.
• Bios for the characters in your screenplay.

Zoom Schedule

We will meet on Zoom on Wednesdays at 7 PM Eastern. 

Weekly Syllabus

Week 1: Brainstorming, Loglines & Leaning into Limited Resources

We will brainstorm cinematic story ideas and learn to assess personal resources for potential productions. You will learn about 3 act structure, and other techniques.

Assignment: I. Complete self-surveys to discover potential story ideas and identify free (or cheap) resources (i.e., locations, vehicles, cast, etc.) you have access to. II. Create story ideas and loglines for your potential scripts.

Week 2: Character & Conflict

How to create three dimensional characters, while incorporating character motivation, weaknesses/flaws, etc. We will begin to discuss the importance of creating conflict in stories.

Assignment: I. Complete character bios for your script. II. Complete an analysis of a low budget film.

Week 3: Action & Momentum

We will continue on the importance of creating conflict in stories, and how to generate conflict through action. You will learn how to create momentum in your stories and reveal exposition through action and conflict.

Assignment: Write short scenes for your script to practice formatting, writing dialogues, scene description, etc.

Week 4: Dialogue & Scene Description

How to write engaging scene descriptions and realistic, entertaining dialogue that reveals character and advances the story.

 Assignment: Write a micro-budget, short screenplay.

Week 5: Workshop – Group 1

We will host table read workshops of your screenplays.

Assignment: Write micro-budget, short screenplay.

Week 6: Workshop – Group 2

We will host table read workshops of your screenplays.

Assignment: Submit revisions of your short screenplays based on feedback from workshops.