Description
Book SynopsisBudgeting and scheduling are easy in principle but hard in practice. The successful producer has a solid plan for juggling dozens of activities and costs while retaining the flexibility to cope with those inevitable last-minute changes and stay on course. Preplanning the budget and schedule of any media project is absolutely essential, and the 2nd edition of Scheduling and Budgeting Your Film: A Panic-Free Guide shows you the intricacies of handling both budgeting and scheduling successfully.
This new and updated edition explains the fundamentals of line producing in an easy-to-understand style, and includes tips and techniques that apply no matter what kind of scheduling or budgeting software you're using. Author Paula Landry includes detailed examples of breakdown forms, organizing resources, distribution expenses, and hidden costs, and discusses how to set realistic priorities and find industry and state tax incentives. The new edition also includes discus
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"Pre-production is Landry’s middle name. Her work is so precise and detailed, the production team is always confident to stay within budget and on schedule when she is attached to the film."
—Pamela Lubell, Producer
"Paula Landry takes you behind the glamour and glitz of filmmaking to the nuts and bolts of actually getting a film made. This book is essential reading for anyone involved in movie production; a practical and pragmatic step-by-step guide to the why, how and when of turning a script into a finished film—a necessary addition to your tool kit."
—Stephen Greenwald, Partner, Grey Eagle Films LLC
"This book is for anyone who needs to understand the transition from an idea or script to a concrete plan of time and money to make a film. Engagingly written, Landry’s book demystifies this process, empowering filmmakers who are ready to get started with their projects today."
—Jon Reiss, Filmmaker/Author/Media Strategist, Hybrid Cinema
"Paula Landry’s book is an amazing resource for emerging filmmakers or anyone starting out in producing. The book is incredibly user friendly, clearly explained, and offers a step-by-step guide to the topic. When you’re ready to get serious, read this book."
—Ken Aguado, Studio Executive, Producer, The Salton Sea (2002); Co-author of The Hollywood Pitching Bible
Table of ContentsChapter One – Schedule & Budget Basics
What is Production Management
The Schedule and Budget Relationship
Why Schedule and Budget are the Foundation
Who Manages the Schedule & Budget
A Little History
Helpful Tools and Software
A Manual & Computer Approach
Trends to Consider
Basic Steps
Scheduling
Budgeting
The End Uses of Budget and Schedule
End of Chapter One Review
Chapter Two – Identifying Resources: the Breakdown
Relationship of Script and Breakdown
Script Format
Screenplay Software & Online Collaboration Tools
The Process of Breaking Down a Script
Read Script Completely
Your System: Software, Colors, Numbers
Number Scenes
Eighths of a Page
Identify Resources
Breakdown Forms
Transfer Information to Breakdown Forms
End of Chapter Two Review
Chapter Three – Organizing Resources: The Schedule
Creating A Schedule
Workflow & Consistency
Transfer & Verify Breakdown Information Into Schedule
Grouping Like Things
Sets
Cast
The Most Finite Resource
Arrange Schedule For Maximum Efficiency
One-Liner Schedule
Day Out Of Days
Factors Impacting The Schedule
Length of Script and Genre
Film Or Digital Format
Shooting Ratio & Experience
Unions & Guilds
Locations
Length Of Shooting Week / Day
Sample Schedules
End Of Chapter Three Review
Chapter Four – Pricing Resources: the Budget
Budget Components
Construction
Presentation
Calculation
Account Numbers
Backing into a Number
Price resources
Factors Impacting the Budget
Type of Project and End Uses
Locations & Incentives
Wages, Union & Guilds
Project Length & Format
Financing and Crowd Funding
Building a Budget
Setup
Above the Line: Creative & Development Costs
Below the Line: Production
Below the Line: Post
Below the Line: Other Expenses
Sample Budgets
Blank Budget Forms
End of Chapter Four Review
Chapter Five – Helpful Scheduling & Budgeting Tips
Evolution of the Schedule & Budget
The Team: A.D., Director, Producer, Location Manager
Prices, Rates and Deal Making
Changes During Shooting
Publicity, Marketing & Film Festivals
Safety, Legal & Insurance
Distribution Expenses
Hidden Expenses
End of Chapter Five Review
Chapter Six – Managing Resources
Relationship between Script, Schedule & Budget
Production Accountant, A.D. and Line Producer
Optimize The Shoot
No Unnecessary Movement
Consider the Weather
(between shooting, or down time) Days Off and Turnaround, Rest Time, Meal Times
Using a Second Unit
Other Factors,
End of Chapter Six Review
Chapter Seven – Special Considerations
Narrative Feature Film
Documentary Film
Shorts, Web Video & Webisodes
Television
Educational & Corporate Film
Working Without a Script
End of Chapter Seven Review
Chapter Eight – Additional Topics You Are Bound to Encounter
Scheduling
Questions about Eighths
Script Inconsistency & New Versions
Honing Your Scheduling Skills
The Experience of your Team
Budgeting
Checking Your Numbers
Obscure Budgetary Categories and Terminology
Currency Conversion
Honing Your Budgetary Skills
In Conclusion
End of Chapter Eight Review
