Development 101 – From Script to Set

So you have a script, now what?

Or maybe you don’t have a script yet, just an amazing idea that deserves a chance in the spotlight. 

Luckily, Utah’s film industry offers great opportunities and a welcoming community to help you get started. Here’s a guide to the essential steps and local resources to kickstart your project with confidence.

1. Write the Script

Every film starts as a script. Even documentaries start with a written outline. Scriptwriting is the first, and possibly most important step to any production. If you want to learn more about writing screenplays, here are some local organizations that frequently hold writer’s workshops: 

• Salt Lake Film Society
• Sundance Co//ab
• Utah Film Center
• University of Utah Continuing Education
• Utah Valley University

If you would prefer to hire someone to write the script for you, the Utah Crew & Support Services Directory can help. This FREE online resource lists many of the crew, and vendors who work in Utah’s film industry. Through this directory you can reach out to screenwriters, script consultants, and other collaborators for hire.

After finishing the script, you may want to copyright it with the U.S. Copywriting Office or register the script with the Writer’s Guild of America. These steps are not required, but they provide extra security, especially for a writer that worries about being copied.

2. Set Up Your Business

Every new business should create a business plan, make a budget, and register their company with the government, usually through an LLC or other forms. The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) offers workshops, consulting, and financing for small businesses. 

While working on your business plan, research your audience and similar organizations that can offer support. Consider partnering with established businesses or hiring experts. One of the first key hires for any film production should be a Unit Production Manager (UPM) or line producer. A UPM handles the logistics: hiring staff, creating budgets, and planning schedules.

Here are some other resources for starting up a business:

• America SBDC
• Getting Started in the Utah Film Industry
• U.S. Small Business Administration – Utah District

3. Fund Your Project

After the script is written, it is ready to be sold or independently produced. If you are interested in selling your script, reach out to production companies and producers directly in the Utah Crew & Support Services Directory. See tips for pitching below. If you want to independently produce your film, then it is time to start obtaining funding. While film financing is one of the most daunting steps, there are several methods to try and many resources that can help. 

• Grants
  • Many filmmakers start their financing by applying for private grants. Check out our resources for the Utah film industry to find out more about local grants.
  • Fiscal sponsorship is another option that allows your project to apply for funding from organizations that require non-profit status. Learn more about the program offered by the Utah Film Center.

• Pitch to Capital Investors & Executives 
  • Pitching directly to investors and asking for funds is another common way to obtain funding. Here are some tips to consider while preparing your pitch:
    • Create a sizzle reel or proof of concept (POC) to showcase your team’s abilities and help investors visualize the project. 
    •  Prepare a pitch deck with a story synopsis, project budget, and distribution plan. 
    • Attend local pitch workshops to refine your presentation skills. Here are some local organizations that regularly hold pitch workshops:
      • Creative Studio Collective
      • Utah Film Center: Artist Foundry

• Self-Funding 
  • Investors often feel more inclined to fund a project if they see that you have already raised some money or invested your own resources. If you are passionate about your film and have a solid business plan, it might be worth considering personal loans from banks or exploring microloans.
  • Some filmmakers get their start by asking their friends and family for donations or through crowdfunding.  Kickstarter and Seed & Spark are crowdfunding platforms specifically designed for creative projects. 
  • More Resources:
    • Bonfire
    • Entertainment Partners
    • FilmDaily.TV

•  Incentives 
  • As a state government agency, the Utah Film Commission does not fund nor produce projects. However, we do market the state for film production and manage the Utah Motion Picture Incentives Program (MPIP). Through the Utah MPIP program, productions that film locally and hire local crew can receive significant tax credits after shooting their film. There are many other local and national programs that provide grants for filmmakers. Learn more about the Utah Motion Picture Incentives Program.

4. Create a Distribution Plan

Film “distribution” means making your movie available for people to watch. It also means planning for how the film will make money once it is complete. A good distribution strategy comes from detailed research about the film’s audience, genre, and length. Understanding where you want the film to go will have a big impact on the film’s budget. Also, having a distribution plan will both help you make money later and convince investors to donate funds now. 

The easiest, and surest way to distribute your film, is to hire a distribution company. A distributor will keep a percentage of the film’s profits in exchange for getting your film a strategic release. Good distributors have relationships with theaters and streaming platforms that make releasing the film easier. Search the Utah Crew and Support Services Directory for local distributors. Another option is to self distribute by calling theaters and submitting directly to streaming platforms. 

Many independent filmmakers also distribute their films through festivals and competitions. Each festival is unique, with different rewards for participating. Some offer cash prizes, while others show off the film to potential buyers. Festivals help you get noticed, find more team members, and sell your movie.

Explore film festivals available across Utah in our resources for the Utah film industry.

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