Scheduling and Budgeting Your Film

Paula Landry is a producer, film business and media-marketing consultant, crafting business and marketing plans, videos and branded content for Fortune 500 companies, non-profit companies and colleges. Landry is president of IdeaBlizzard Productions, and is the co-author of This Business of Film: A Practical Guide to Achieving Success in the Film Industry. An active member of NYWIFT, IFP, and AFM, Landry speaks at seminars around the world about the businesses of film, music, and media.

"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

• Chapter One – Schedule & Budget BasicsWhat is Production ManagementThe Schedule and Budget Relationship Why Schedule and Budget are the FoundationWho Manages the Schedule & BudgetA Little HistoryHelpful Tools and SoftwareA Manual & Computer ApproachTrends to ConsiderBasic Steps SchedulingBudgetingThe End Uses of Budget and ScheduleEnd of Chapter One ReviewChapter Two – Identifying Resources: the Breakdown Relationship of Script and Breakdown Script FormatScreenplay Software & Online Collaboration ToolsThe Process of Breaking Down a Script Read Script CompletelyYour System: Software, Colors, Numbers Number ScenesEighths of a Page Identify ResourcesBreakdown Forms Transfer Information to Breakdown FormsEnd of Chapter Two Review Chapter Three – Organizing Resources: The ScheduleCreating A Schedule Workflow & ConsistencyTransfer & Verify Breakdown Information Into Schedule Grouping Like ThingsSetsCast The Most Finite ResourceArrange Schedule For Maximum EfficiencyOne-Liner ScheduleDay Out Of DaysFactors Impacting The ScheduleLength of Script and GenreFilm Or Digital FormatShooting Ratio & ExperienceUnions & GuildsLocations Length Of Shooting Week / DaySample SchedulesEnd Of Chapter Three ReviewChapter Four – Pricing Resources: the BudgetBudget ComponentsConstructionPresentationCalculationAccount NumbersBacking into a NumberPrice resourcesFactors Impacting the BudgetType of Project and End UsesLocations & IncentivesWages, Union & GuildsProject Length & FormatFinancing and Crowd FundingBuilding a BudgetSetupAbove the Line: Creative & Development CostsBelow the Line: ProductionBelow the Line: PostBelow the Line: Other Expenses Sample BudgetsBlank Budget FormsEnd of Chapter Four ReviewChapter Five – Helpful Scheduling & Budgeting TipsEvolution of the Schedule & BudgetThe Team: A.D., Director, Producer, Location ManagerPrices, Rates and Deal MakingChanges During ShootingPublicity, Marketing & Film FestivalsSafety, Legal & InsuranceDistribution ExpensesHidden ExpensesEnd of Chapter Five ReviewChapter Six – Managing Resources Relationship between Script, Schedule & BudgetProduction Accountant, A.D. and Line ProducerOptimize The ShootNo Unnecessary MovementConsider the Weather(between shooting, or down time) Days Off and Turnaround, Rest Time, Meal TimesUsing a Second UnitOther Factors,End of Chapter Six ReviewChapter Seven – Special ConsiderationsNarrative Feature Film Documentary FilmShorts, Web Video & WebisodesTelevisionEducational & Corporate FilmWorking Without a ScriptEnd of Chapter Seven ReviewChapter Eight – Additional Topics You Are Bound to EncounterSchedulingQuestions about EighthsScript Inconsistency & New VersionsHoning Your Scheduling SkillsThe Experience of your Team BudgetingChecking Your NumbersObscure Budgetary Categories and TerminologyCurrency ConversionHoning Your Budgetary SkillsIn ConclusionEnd of Chapter Eight Review