[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Film Courage: How has producing helped your screenwriting?
Collin Watts, Screenwriter: I think tremendously. Knowing what it takes to make a film is important. When we haven’t gone through that process sometimes we’ll write these crazy, big budget things which is fun, but like we mentioned earlier, maybe you won’t want to have horses when you realize how many things go into getting a horse on set, like having a trainer there.
Producing has definitely helped my writing. If you’re writing something to try to make it yourself or you’re writing something that is going to be low-budget, I think knowing how to produce things is important.
Knowing how to get good talent, good people who want to help you but not spend a lot of money.
Knowing how to look for locations that aren’t going to be a ton of money.
Producing something is vital and important to people who want to create stuff and make it on their own. It’s such a skill to have.
Also, when you’re on set, the reality is you’re going to have to cut things. You’re going to have to change things. Just accepting that and figuring out as a writer, How am I going to make this work? We cut this, but can we do something cheaper?Can we do something in a room versus with a car?
I think producing is very valuable.
Film Courage: How does it normally work for you to go from screenwriting to producing?
Collin: With a couple of the things I’ve been fortunate to be able to raise the money or know an investor who wants to support something and I’ve been able to produce it on my own.
It’s just that shift of now this is the script, but now I got to wear a different hat of I’ve got to make this thing, I’ve got to get this thing made. There’s a budget, can’t do all the crazy stuff in the script anymore. I’ve got to be able to shift gears.
If you’re able to produce things, it’s just more opportunities for you, meeting people, getting more projects out there, building up your credits is important. It’s another avenue of expanding your filmmaking.
Film Courage: What has been one of the hardest aspects of producing for you? I would imagine raising money?
Collin: That’s always the big elusive thing, right? And the question is How do we get money for this? How do you find investors? How do you drum up interest for something? I think it’s tough. The onset stuff has its own obstacles. Then I think after the…(Watch the video interview on YouTube here).
About:
Collin Watts is a Los Angeles based screenwriter with a focus on creating genre films with a personal touch. Originally from Illinois, he is a graduate of Florida State University and the UCLA professional screenwriting program.
Collin began his career by writing several successful short films that premiered in over 30 festivals worldwide including “The Wretched” and “Sunnyvale” which both premiered at Screamfest Los Angeles. Four of his feature scripts placed in top screenwriting contests including the Austin film Festival, the tracking board top ten, and the Cinestory Foundation.
Collin wrote his first feature, “HOT SEAT”. The film was released theatrically in 2022, and starred Mel Gibson, Kevin Dillon, and Shanon Doherty.
In 2023, he wrote and produced “THIS LAND,” a topical horror film that was released on VOD from Terror Films.
CONNECT WITH COLLIN WATTS
Advertisement – contains affiliate links
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
New book from Film Courage! – See it on Payhip here
