I can see the sense in these plans. It provides you with the money when you need it. If you have the money in the bank (at least in stage payments) then you can go ahead and write knowing you’re getting paid for the writing you’re undertaking. If someone has paid you for the script there’s a much higher chance you can pre-sell the distribution rights before you make the movie. This may give you the funds to actually go ahead and make your film and save you from the many horrors of trying to arrange funding.

Attachments help as well. If you say you’ve got Halle Berry attached to your script/film, then the money that follows will be plentiful and quick. In fact, companies will be bidding against each other to get your screenplay.

We like Halle Berry – she’s a wonderful actor who has appeared in some great films, but even she will admit that a couple haven’t been up to her usual high standards. Is that because the money came first and the ideas fell into place at a later stage?

Having the right elements in place will bring bonuses. Knowing what is going to be the right genre in two years time will help.

Brainstorming here again now; planning is making lists of the reasons why people would want your story and the reasons why they would pass. Then clear away the second list and you’ll have a best seller.