Independent Filmmaker Contracts for Film Producers, Directors, Actors, Investors and Writers

From script to sales the Investor/Producer/Writer must protect her/his film, documentary, music video, stage Project investment from concept to distribution with IndependentFilmmakerContracts.com

  • Investors Deal
  • Producers Deal
  • Directors Deal
  • Actors Deal
  • Crew Deal
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Contract Categories


Home » Blog » Q&A: HOW MUCH DOES A SCREENWRITER MAKE?

Q&A: HOW MUCH DOES A SCREENWRITER MAKE?

Question by JL: HOW MUCH DOES A SCREENWRITER MAKE?
So, lets say that i just wrote the script to an extremely successful movie.

How much money would i make for selling the script?

Or could i sign a contract to make a trilogy of movies for a higher amount?

If i could (lets say theres 3 movies in the trilogy and they are extremely popular) how much would i make?

Any help would be great!
Thanks in advance!

Best answer:

Answer by Gray Area
Writers are member of The Writers Guild and there are some baseline minimums that need to be adhered to per contract rules within the WGA.

The short answers for writers on films like Transformers or Matrix is a few million dollars with others on the writing staff seeing a few thousands of dollars for their work.

Ultimately the answer to the question you are asking is not so simple and highly dependent on the kind of deal your agent has worked for you and how high or low on the totem pole you stand. One thing for certain is that it would take over ten years of you being deep in the Hollywood system before you got even remotely close to having a script of yours produced for Hollywood, let alone a trilogy of any sort.

Give your answer to this question below!

Filed Under: The Filmmakers World

Cart

  • ACTOR & ARTIST FORMS
    • Actor & Artist Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 15 Agreements
    • Actor Release
    • Actor’s Deal Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 20 Contracts
    • Audience Release
    • Confidentiality Agreement
    • Extra Release
    • Extra Release for Pay
    • Group Participant Release
    • Instant Dismissal from the Set
    • Minor Actor/Model Release
    • Minor Actor/Model Release for Pay
    • Minor Actor/Model Release Independant Minor Actor Guardian Signature
    • Model Release
    • Model Release for Pay
    • Nudity Rider
    • Stunt Performer (Insurance carried by Stunt Performer)
    • Stunt Performer (Producer Insurance)
  • Crew Forms
    • Art Director Agreement
    • Assistant Art Director Agreement
    • Boom Operator Agreement
    • Casting Director Agreement
    • Construction Coordinator Agreement
    • Costume Designer Agreement
    • Crew Deal Memo
    • Crew Forms Save 66% on 15 Agreements
    • Editor Agreement
    • Gaffer Agreement
    • Grip Agreement
    • Hair Stylist Agreement
    • Make-up and Special Effects Agreement
    • Post Production Supervisor
    • Production Design Agreement
    • Property Master Agreement
    • Script Supervisor Agreement
    • Sound Mixer Agreement
    • Wrangler Agreement
  • Depiction & Copyright Forms
    • Artist/Artwork Release
    • Assignments of Rights Agreements
    • Copyright Assignment
    • Depiction & Copyright Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 10 Agreements
    • Depiction Release Contract
    • Film Clip
    • Film Clip Release
    • Still Photo Release
    • Use Of Literary Material
    • Use of Name/Likeness Release
    • Use of Name/Likeness Release for Pay
    • Use of Trade Mark or Logo Contract
  • Director Forms
    • Assistant Director Contract
    • Director Agreement
    • Director Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 4 Agreements
    • Director of Photography
    • Director’s Deal Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 43 Contracts
    • Producer Agreement
  • Distribution Forms
    • Distribution Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
    • Security Agreement (Long Form)
    • Security Agreement (Short Form)
    • Security on the Set & on Location
    • TV Distribution Agreement
    • TV Distribution Agreement (projects)
  • Merchandise Forms
    • Material Release Form
    • Material Release Form for Pay
    • Merchandise Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
    • Merchandising (Character/Logo) Contract
    • Product Placement Release (short form)
  • Music Forms
    • Artist Music Release
    • Music Composer Agreement
    • Music Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 6 Agreements
    • Soundtrack Recording Agreement
    • Synchronization/Performing/Master Use & Mechanical License
    • T.V. Music Rights License
  • Partnership & Financing Forms
    • Assignment of Interest and Release (Partner Expelled from Agreement)
    • Co-production Contract
    • Finders Fee
    • Finders Fee Exclusive
    • Finders Fee Non-Exclusive
    • General Partnership
    • General Partnership Dissolution Agreement
    • Guarantee
    • Joint Venture Agreement
    • Joint Venture Dissolution Agreement
    • Partnership & Financing Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 11 Agreements
    • Promissory Note
    • Promissory Note with Guarantee
  • Production Forms
    • Location Release
    • Location Release For Pay
    • Producer’s Deal on 57 Contracts
    • Production Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
  • Professional Advisors Forms
    • Accountant-Client Retainer Contract
    • Lawyer-Client Retainer Contract
    • Notarization of Document
    • Professional Advisors Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 2 Agreements
  • Work-For-Hire-Forms
    • Graphic Design Work-for-Hire
    • Illustrator Work-for-Hire
    • Video Director Director-for-Hire Agreement
    • Web Designer Work-for-Hire Agreement
    • Work-For-Hire-Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
  • Writer Forms
    • Certificate of Authorship
    • Certificate of Origin
    • Writer Collaboration Agreement
    • Writer Employment Agreement
    • Writer Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 4 Agreements

Copyright © 2025 Independent Filmmaker Contracts · custom WP Theme by John Overall.com