A movie can make or break a writer’s career. It might even be considered the key to Hollywood’s golden screen door. People who write for movies usually do so because they want to be successful in life and be able to keep a roof over their heads. There are various ways in which a writer can earn money with a movie. Some are more lucrative than others, but they all depend on several factors. The most basic one is just how well the movie does at the box office. The more people go to see it, the more money the writer makes. However, movie writers also need to look into the other aspects of being a screenwriter to ensure they make the most of their opportunities and are able to support themselves financially.
The Most Basic Factor
Just how much money does the writer make for selling a movie? The short answer is, it depends. More often than not, screenwriters make around $60,000 to $80,000 per script, regardless of their experience level or the name behind the project. It is a common practice for studios to pay this amount for content that is unproduced and has never been made into a movie. Knowing how much these scripts usually sell for can help aspiring writers get a better idea of how much they need to charge to cover their expenses. It also helps them avoid wasting their time trying to get paid less than what they are worth.
Additional Factors
Besides making a decent amount of money per script, screenwriters also need to look into the other aspects of being a screenwriter. These include but are not limited to:
- storyboarding
- writing
- rewriting
- finishing
- editing
- scoring
- mixing
- producing
- marketing
- accounting
- legal
- financing
- copyright registration
- royalties
- packaging
- traveling
- per diems
- rental fees
- processing fees
- collection fees
- additional writer’s fees
- getting paid
- contracts
- negotiations
More Than Meets The Eye
If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’re wondering how much money you’ll make as a movie writer. The simple answer is, it depends. More often than not, screenwriters make around $60,000 to $80,000 per script, regardless of their experience level or the name behind the project. But sometimes, a writer can make much more than this. In fact, sometimes screenwriters can even make a six-figure sum from just one movie. For the sake of argument, let’s say that you’re a newly graduated student who has just sold your first screenplay. This was an action-adventure script that you co-wrote with your father. You used to play video games, and you wrote this script based on your life experiences in creating characters and storylines for these games. The studio optioned the script, and they plan on making it into a movie. They offered you $85,000 to write the screenplay.
Depending on the terms of your contract, you could make up to six figures, all before you’ve even begun to negotiate your first movie sale. Now, this is something to celebrate! But you need to be prepared for the fact that this won’t be easy. Creating movies is a lot of work, and it takes a lot of networking to be able to find work. Even then, you might not always be able to rely on this income stream since filmmaking is becoming less of a necessity and more of a luxury for studios. Nonetheless, this is still a lucrative option for those who qualify.
The Bottom Line
Getting paid to write for movies can be a lucrative opportunity, but it’s not for everyone. This is a profession that demands a great deal of patience, and it’s certainly not for the faint of heart. But, for those who qualify, the ability to create movies can pay off handsomely in terms of financial security and even a modest lifestyle change.