It has been noted by a number of people that a script with one location and minimal cast (4 or less characters.) has a stronger chance to be bought and produced, especially from a new screenwriter. Seems like a solid concept. It leads to smaller budgets so it’s easier to fund and less money at risk.. I have written a few scripts (all still looking for a buyer) so I thought I’d give this style a shot. Here’s my question, when “they” say one location what does that really mean? If you look at the movie “Buried” with Ryan Reynolds the whole move takes place in a coffin sized box, you can’t get any cheaper on the location. The only other characters are voices on a phone, (although there are about a dozen voices and at least one video seen on a cell phone.) I imagine that’s the one extreme. But what I’m asking is it reasonable to consider a script with a cabin in the woods where several of the scenes are not in the cabin but in the woods. Does that qualify? From a logistics point of view I can see it being cheaper to film if the non cabin scenes can be filmed close to the cabin allowing the production infrastructure (catering, make-up props etc.) to stay stationary. In that sense to me it’s still one location. Right? What about a scene or two to set up the story, like loading up the car? Stopping for gas, or scenes within the car itself on the way? How about a location on the other end of the phone when our character calls into the police just before being killed? This really could be easily shot at the offices of the production company, just by adding a few props. So if the movie is 95% filmed in one location is that OK? From a writers stand point it would be much easier to tell a story if I could use some of the above. I know it’s all shades of grey and you could easily respond with “if the script is good enough it doesn’t matter.” That’s not what I’m looking for. I’m hoping to get people to share their experiences and opinions. I'd also love to hear from producers, filmmakers and agents if I’m on the right track; is this is a valid concept or is it just plain overdone?
Screenwriting : "One Location" scripts by Rick Hardin
"One Location" scripts
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Good luck with the scripts! I've written a few one location scripts, and I got a nibble with two of them. One I optioned, but that fell through. I uploaded one onto Talentville to get some feedback, and people were wondering why I had restricted myself to the one location. Lol. I would guess that if you kept production costs in mind, and that your other scenes were, as you explained, loading up a car, that would be okay. The real point of a one location script is to come in on the "no budget" side of "low budget." And if you keep the script as a "no budget" script, that the "one location" wouldn't necessarily preclude rising action. People always point to "Saw" and "Panic Room" as examples of one location scripts, but both of those movies are much bigger budget and include rising action that takes place in other locations.
Thanks for the input! That's the way I see it the idea works if 90% of the film is shot is one location (or the nearby woods ;-). The focus is really keeping the budget low.