Film Budgets - Insider Tips For Film Students

This is my 20th year working in the film industryhas a long record of producing films including a
on over 40 film productions. Throughout that timeterm as Vice President of Production at MGM).The
I have never met a new film school graduateonly solution that I see for film students, and for
who has a clue about handling the most importantworking film crew, to get familiar with film
aspect of ALL filmmaking - the MONEY! I hadbudgeting is to provide them with the information
always assumed (wrongly, it turns out) that filmmyself. But, what kind of information, and at
students just weren't interested in knowing aboutwhat level of detail?The answer to that rhetorical
film budgets. However after a recent survey ofquestion is - in as simple a format as possible, yet
film students at a reputable film college westill be effective. By effective, I mean that any
learned that film students DO intuitivelytraining in the area of film budgeting will actually
understand that knowing the language of filmhelp you impress producers for those few film
budgeting is crucial to their careers in film.jobs, get your script into production, find financing,
Surprisingly, over 80% were enthusiastic aboutbe rehired for more film contracts, be more cost
learning more about film budgeting!Here's what weeffective cinematographers, etc. Also, the basic
discovered from that survey (completed in lateconcept of translating creative ideas into a
September, 2005):1. Over 80% of film studentsbudgeting process is new to most people,
are not only interested in learning more aboutespecially those educated in film schools, so that
budgeting for film productions, they are emphaticconcept should be presented first.Film students
about it!2. In all cases, film students expect to finddon't need to become keen budget technicians.
information about film budgeting from theHowever, they DO need to get enough exposure
internet, or as recommended reading from theirto film budgets to understand the fundamentals,
professors.3. We also learned that there are noand to be able to communicate to film producers,
references or books available to film schools orfilm studios, bonding companies, banks, financiers,
film students on this very needed subject.Thoseetc. in the same language as would be expected
working in the film business recognize howfrom professional filmmakers.All of the above is
important it is to be familiar with film budgeting, ifcovered in my book, Walk The Talk. I have
not technically proficient. The confidentiality of filmwritten a series of 7 free articles based on my
budgets makes it extremely difficult, even forbook. They're written for the complete novice, so
working filmmakers, to get familiar with filmbe patient if you've already been exposed to film
budgeting. (I have a true story in my book aboutbudgeting. You can sign-up, FREE, for 7 weeks of
a meeting that I had with Ron Howard in 1993articles at .There is a seventh article that could
where he wanted to learn specifics about thehave been added for those who haven't been
budget for his film - in spite of having been in theexposed to the simple administrative procedures
film business for over 30 years as an actor andlike petty cash, purchase orders, check
budding director).Learning about film budgets whilerequisitions, etc. Knowing how to use these forms
on-the-job comes at the expense of hard-knocks,will put you WAY out in front of the pack of
expensive film budgeting software and late nightjob-hungry film students looking for those few
self-training with a technical textbook (if you canfilm jobs. You'll need to buy my book at this link
find one). In the 20 years that I've been workingWalk The Talk to get that inside advantage. (I
in the film business, I have NEVER shown a filmhave kept the price affordable, specifically with
budget to anyone but a select few insiders -students in mind.)Here are the article
Producers, Production Managers, Studios, Bondingtitles:1.MAKING IT! In Film Production2. Introduction
Companies, etc. So, exposure to actual filmto Film Budgeting3. Translating Creative Ideas Into
budgets really is an insider's privilege - which I amthe Film Budgeting Process4. Your Participation In
about to open the door to for my readers. (KeepAbove-the-Line Budgeting5. Your Participation In
in mind the figures shown are samples only. TheBelow-the-Line Budgeting6. Your Report Card -
figures are real enough, but are not drawn fromComparing The Budget to Actual Costs7.
my actual past/present/future filmPresentation of the Weekly Cost Report - It's As
productions.)How can film students get familiarImportant As the DailiesWhen you read my
with film budgets while they have the time andarticles, print them out. Make your own examples.
opportunity? The only colleges with film budgetingReread them. Send me your questions if you get
in their syllabus (that I could find after hours ofstuck. You'll find that you'll be way out in front of
internet searching) was in a specialty course forthe pack!(Copyright 2005 - John Gaskin)John
Production Managers at the New York FilmGaskin opens the door to a confidential topic in
Academy, and through mentors at the Americanthe film industry -Film Budgets! Learn the inside
Film Institute (where, I'm proud to say, parts oftips from a 20 year pro of over 40 film projects
my book are being used by a mentor there, whoall over the world.