NARRATOR (Leo’s voice, tired but sharp): “EXT. ARTIST’S STUDIO - NIGHT
“Mr. Vasquez, you’ve won the $5,000 prize. But more importantly, can we buy the rights to turn your video into a workshop for art schools? Name your rate.”
A man sits alone. Rent is due. His last sale was a sketch of a dog for a child’s birthday. He is talented. He is also invisible. Starving Artist Script
He painted a single, stark canvas: a white plate with a single black bean in the center. He titled it Dinner.
Now stop starving. Start stating.
His “studio” was a converted janitor’s closet in a Brooklyn warehouse. Rent was $800. His last commission was $150. He had $12 in his checking account and exactly half a jar of peanut butter.
Leo stared at the message. His hands shook. NARRATOR (Leo’s voice, tired but sharp): “EXT
So here is your . Use it. Adapt it. Say it out loud until it doesn’t feel scary: “Thank you for asking. My rate for this is [AMOUNT]. I arrived at that number because [ONE SENTENCE OF REASON, e.g., ‘it reflects my experience and the time this requires’]. If that works for you, great. If not, I understand completely. No pressure either way.” That’s it. That’s the script.