quote:

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Originally posted by roebeeh

Could anybody direct me to a good line item budget template of sorts? I'm interested in the postproduction through release stage more than anything.
I've penciled in the following categories, any additions/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

- Editing
- Sound
- Music
- Color Grading
- Animation, Graphic Design
- Format Transfers
- Festivals (Appl. fees, Shipping, Other expenses)
- Travel (Airfares, Accomodation, Expenses)
- Marketing
- Publicity
- Legal Fees
- Insurance

My estimated figure comes in under the $200k mark for an independent documentary film.

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You need to read these books:

http://www.amazon.com/Film-Budgeting-Much-Shoot-Movie/dp/0943728657/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275280903&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Scheduling-Budgeting-Workbook-Filmmakers-Library/dp/094372807X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275280903&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Film-Scheduling-Budgeting-Workbook-Yourself/dp/0943728142/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275280903&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.com/Film-Scheduling-Long-Shoot-Movie/dp/0943728398/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275280903&sr=1-5

http://www.amazon.com/Film-Production-Management-101-Coordination/dp/0941188450/ref=pd_sim_b_7

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Postproduction-TV-Film-Second/dp/0240805062/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275281049&sr=1-1

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

Thanks BjdZyak,
I've recently ordered a bunch of books through amazon but which won't be arriving to Australia for a month.
I also found some helpful budgeting resources at these links -
http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/filming_in_australia/budgeting/a_z_updatesanima.asp
http://www.telefilm.gc.ca/en/funds-and-programs/general-information/useful-tools
I'm currently working on my first film so estimating the costs may be tricky.

quote:

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Originally posted by roebeeh

Thanks BjdZyak,
I've recently ordered a bunch of books through amazon but which won't be arriving to Australia for a month.
I also found some helpful budgeting resources at these links -
http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/filming_in_australia/budgeting/a_z_updatesanima.asp
http://www.telefilm.gc.ca/en/funds-and-programs/general-information/useful-tools
I'm currently working on my first film so estimating the costs may be tricky.

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The "trick" is to just make lots of phone calls and personal visits to vendors who offer the services you need. Just tell them what you're doing and because you're new, most vendors won't try to take advantage of you. Instead, they'll want your repeat business and for you to recommend them to others, so you can likely get deals below their book prices that they'd charge bigger projects.

Take a look at all the resources you can about production and post-production to get a complete list of everything you should think about. Then go back through your script and think about which elements you'd need to have in your own project.

Then, find the vendors in your area and start making phone calls/visits. It can be a lot of work, but it can be worth it financially.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

quote:

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Originally posted by roebeeh
I'm currently working on my first film so estimating the costs may be tricky.

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Brian is right. Generating a line item budget isn't
about finding info in books. Books are a great
resource to learn what every line item is, but to
estimate the costs, you are going to need to make
a lot of phone calls and actually visit vendors.

No way can a book, written and published in the
US 2 to 5 years ago give you an estimate of what
airfares and accommodations are going to cost
you when you make your movie.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Yep good call, thanks for the help guys.
I'm juggling a rather large workload at the moment and think I was hoping there'd be an easy solution...
I'll begin making contact and gathering information.

quote:

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Originally posted by roebeeh

Yep good call, thanks for the help guys.
I'm juggling a rather large workload at the moment and think I was hoping there'd be an easy solution...
I'll begin making contact and gathering information.

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🙂 If Producing a movie was easy, everyone would do it.

I also recommend this for anyone who ventures to make their own films and need to take on the tasks of Producer: http://www.amazon.com/Film-Producer-Industry-Veteran-Hollywood/dp/0312069693/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275353633&sr=1-2

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com