My script is a psychological horror about a reclusive young woman who discovers a pill that promises to erase her fear of darkness, but it unleashes a new evil in her life.

To ensure it was a microbudget, I tried to develop an idea that did not require many actors or locations. A majority of the film would be shot at a relative’s house, and a scene involving a nightclub dance floor/bathroom would be cheated through close-up, tight shots. Most of the opening and closing sequences would take place in the dark. This works for a microbudget as I can use sound effects to imply the action; instead of hiring safety officers and stunt coordinators to choreograph these scenes. In addition, most of the outdoor clips can be filmed using handheld camerawork and will only require an actress, camera operator, and sound recordist. This works on a microbudget as it is quick to film, and I will not need a permit due to the crew being low impact.

What I learned throughout this process is that microbudget filmmaking can cause some limitations. However, these restrictions do not necessarily have to limit the end product. In fact, it forces you to think more creatively. This was helpful to learn as it has encouraged me to focus on the locations, characters, cinematography, set dressings, lighting, and sound design I use and how these elements can be incorporated in a unique, clever way while not negatively affecting the budget. I have also learned more about the scriptwriting process and how to structure my screenplays correctly, such as the dialogue, scene headings, and big print. This has been beneficial and will be helpful when developing future stories.

Here is the link to the final script:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RJNvWEITFj9V0P2EmTN6E2N5dAqrbhW0/view?usp=sharing