As a writer with some training in cinematography, I always see the big picture. My scripts get good reviews to the point where I have had production companies on the line. It's the bigness of my projects that scares their budget departments. Is it wrong to think and write big when I know the products will earn big? Oh, to have the means to produce the works myself with a great team! The reality is having to scale the castle walls of big studios in swashbuckler style for a ten-minute pitch to an executive producer. Not an easy feat, even for someone who thinks and writes big.
Introduce Yourself : Big Picture Vision by Laurie Notch
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I personally think it is never a bad thing to "think big" in general, it shows you are confident in what you are creating. With that being said, at a point you have to say "a finished product is better than no product".
Thanks, Peter., for the response. Sometimes I feel I'm sitting on a goldmine and just need the tools and team to dig up the precious metal and forge it into treasure.
It sounds like you naturally gravitate towards those high concept "big picture" stories, so if that's your deal, then go with it. But obviously the higher the budget it requires, the tougher it will be to find a producer/prod co to stump up the cash.
Have you ever tried writing "smaller"?
You're the writer. If they couldn't manage the project they should have passed on it. On a personal note I write my stuff on a sliding scale from web came and go pro level to budget equaling the GDP of a small country. Don't have a lot of faith the expensive ones will see the light of day I deliberately wrote the affordable ones in a way that they might..
Making movies is a business and risk vs return will always be a factor. Established IP, or being a known entity such as a celebrity will always trump the unknown. You're ahead in the game, you've written a script, you've pitched it, you've been requested to send the full script, the interest is still there, and reached the next milestone, talking to Production Companies, so you are doing a lot right. Each step further is a victory. Keep the faith, keep writing and as suggested, think about writing something smaller. Your writing has to be very good to have gained such interest and maintained it as far Production discussions so write something more digestible for the Budget departments and once established you'll have a portfolio of bigger budget/blockbuster scripts waiting to go.
We all have our path, Laurie Notch! Swing for the fences if that's your thing! The reality is, most homerun leaders also have the highest strike out percentages. Keep swinging!
I appreciate all your comments. I have had smaller fare produced and do have several versions of my feature scripts for different production approaches with budget in mind. I had one Hollywood director tell me to write big then dial back if need be. I have been working with an "insider" affiliated with Disney to move from a "contained" scenario to large-scale action/adventure. What have any of your experiences been?
Not where you are yet, not by a mile. The closest I am is to have several scripts "Under Consideration," the last just yesterday, a successful pitch led to the request for the full script.
I sense you are on the cusp of big things, you have the connections, you have the talent and you have the work ready to go. I predict exciting times ahead. Keep us posted.