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 Each 1 1/2 hour on-line recorded study is playable as a Flash Videos (MV4) for $29.99 each ($99 for all).
Each on-line recorded study has specific materials related to it which are downloadable from the appropriate URL.
 Managing a Film Budget
When ready to buy, simply click on any "SIGN UP" below and follow along.
1. The Film Production Budget Introduced
FOR # 1 of 6, THE FILM PRODUCTION BUDGET INTRODUCED
The purpose of this session is to get a fluid understanding of the categories and terms used in a usual Film Budget of more than $2 or $3Million dollars.
Attendees are encouraged to have a hard copy of the Master Budget in front of them and to take notes - Quizzes will occur randomly.An actual film production budget is reviewed with the purpose of understanding the industry specific departments and how they inter-relate.
Key terms used in film production, but not widely used, are cleared up. Familiarize the categories of the film budget, the standard columns used and demonstrate
how the
Producer manages a film budget to the bottom line.
Particular time is spent over coming any inhibitions using such terms as Above-The-Line, Below-The-Line, Gaffer, Grip, Extras, etc.
Discretionary & Non-Discretionary costs in the film budget are discussed and the impact on the Producer's decisions.
The location of certain types of costs are pointed out and the purpose for that location are discussed.
Changes to the budget are demonstrated and how to track them
The importance of labeling
costs for various State/Provincial Tax Incentives
Link to the #1 of 6 Power Point Guide - I use Power Point as a guide only; think of it as a rough index of the content. Have a look to get an idea of the content.
The materials which you can download from this video site are: A Professional Template Film Budget that is used throughout the videos. It is in both pdf and epb formats.
Also included is an Excel template of a professional film budget.
SIGN UP FOR # 1 of 6, THE FILM PRODUCTION BUDGET INTRODUCED
2. Introducing Film Industry Labor Unions
SIGN UP FOR # 2 of 6, INTRODUCING FILM INDUSTRY LABOR UNIONS
The purpose of this session is to familiarize the attendees with the film industry union wage jargon. A huge part of managing a budget is
managing
the labor costs, so it essential we take enough time to understand the basic elements.
The primary union for crew
is the International Association Theatrical & Stage Employees - known by everyone in film production as IATSE (Eye-At-See).
The appropriate pages
of the basic IATSE
agreement is looked at (without getting lost in details) for the following terms:
Scale rates
Overtime
“Gold”
Meal penalty
John demonstrates the IATSE local overtime
calculations under the Basic Agreement using the concept of Worked Hours
and
Pay Hours.
Attendee’s calculate the pay hours and meal
penalties from examples given by
John. Answers are provided afterward for attendees to study.
(Same practice repeated a few times until
majority are comfortable with the
Pay Hours and Worked Hours calculation, as well as the Meal
Penalty
calculation).
John continues to use examples and correct
attendees as before.
Depending on the time available the same steps
above are completed for Screen
Actors Guild daily actors (called Schedule A performers)
Link to the #2 of 6 Power Point Guide - I use Power Point as a guide only; think of it as a rough index of the content. Have a look to get an idea of the content.
The materials which you can download from this video site are: the IATSE Low Budget Agreement (2010); Before and after Excel template worksheet of IATSE Overtime-Meal Penalty-Turnaround
SIGN UP FOR # 2 of 6, INTRODUCING FILM INDUSTRY LABOR UNIONS
3. The Concept of “Fringes”(Government & Union Contributions)
SIGN UP FOR # 3 of 6, THE CONCEPT OF FRINGES & LABOR HOURS WORKED/PAID
The purpose of this session is to introduce the term "Fringes". Fringes are usually 30% to 40% of the labor costs, so it is essential that
you know how to estimate this cost and not be tongue-tied when discussing this cost in the film budget.
The producer must pay normal government and union fringes – a breakdown of the types of fringes is given.
When projecting costs (called Estimating in
film) it is common to average the
fringe rates for different unions. This process is reviewed for
different locales - the IATSE union is primary reference union.
The SAG CBA (Codified Basic Agreement) is also referenced for applicable sections and the viewer sees where to download their own copy.
There is some demonstration and practice combining your knowledge of Labor Worked Hours, Paid Hours, Fringes and the effect on the Film Budget.
Link to the #3 of 6 Power Point Guide - I use Power Point as a guide only; think of it as a rough index of the content. Have a look to get an idea of the content.
The materials which you can download from this video site are: Before and after Excel template worksheet of IATSE & Government fringe estimates (cross referenced to agreements)
SIGN UP FOR # 3 of 6, THE CONCEPT OF FRINGES & LABOR HOURS WORKED/PAID
4. Introducing the Weekly Cost Report
SIGN UP FOR # 4 of 6, INTRODUCING THE WEEKLY COST REPORT & THE SIX BASIC COST SYSTEMS
The purpose of
this session is to introduce the Weekly Cost Report & to give examples of what a career-maker or career-breaker
it is regardless of your function in filmmaking.
The “Product” of the film production is what the audience sees on screen. However, for all productions (with the rare exception) the measure
of it's success through to end of post-production is the quality compared to the cost. It's the Cost Report that tells the financiers, studio execs,
bonding companies, etc
Concept of timing – the cost report is issued weekly
at a pre-assigned day (usually a Friday or a Monday). This keeps the pressure on the
Producers, Production Manager and Film Auditor.
Define the columns of the Weekly Cost Report
Reading the Estimates-To-Complete
Column
Practical examples given for different estimated
Day Performers man-days - Inclusive of references to the SAG Agreement.
Attendees practice the effect of changing the
Estimates-To-Complete on the Cost
Report.
The concept of weekly “period closings” is
presented as industry specific.
Introduction of the 6 basic cost control systems.
1.The Purchase Order
2.The Vendor Invoice
3.Check Requisitions
4.Petty Cash (not so petty in film production - often in the $0 to $60,000/week range)
5.Payroll
6.Journal Entries (records financing interest, charges from the studio, etc)
Link to the #4 of 6 Power Point Guide - I use Power Point as a guide only; think of it as a rough index of the content. Have a look to get an idea of the content.
The materials which you can download from this video site are: the Schedule A Performers (Daily Performers) Section of the SAG Agreement; Before and after Excel template worksheet of Cast Budgeting; and, the Cost Report Memo template.
SIGN UP FOR # 4 of 6, INTRODUCING THE WEEKLY COST REPORT
5. The Cost Report - Estimating Costs To Complete - Examples
SIGN UP FOR # 5 of 6, THE COST REPORT - ESTIMATING COSTS TO COMPLETE - EXAMPLES
The purpose of this session is the give the attendees an example of how to ensure the costs are reflected in the cost report.
Example – Travel and Hotel costs not PO’d
for Cast
A Day Out Of Days (DOOD’s)
example is shown and
gone over.
The attendees are asked to
estimate the cost of
a hotel in their area for that cast member based on the DOOD’s.
The effect on the Estimates-To-Complet of the Cost Report is noted.
This process is done again
for the same Cast,
but this time for their flights from the East (or West) coast, depending on the attendee’s location.
The effect on the cost report is noted.
The Cost Report - Estimating Costs
to Complete – Extras and Riggers/De-Riggers
Similarly, iexamples are given on ways to "Estimate" the costs through to completion for Background Extras and for Riggers.
In each case the effect on the Estimates-To-Complete are noted.
A different example is given of this to the
attendees and they work it out for themselves in conjunction with John.
A similar example is done with the Riggers/De-Riggers
Link to the #5 of 6 Power Point Guide - I use Power Point as a guide only; think of it as a rough index of the content. Have a look to get an idea of the content.
The materials which you can download from this video site are: Excel worksheet template of DOOD's, ATL Travel/Living, Extras, Riggers; An Excel Cost Report template; A Purchase Order template.
SIGN UP FOR # 5 of 6, THE COST REPORT - ESTIMATING COSTS TO COMPLETE - EXAMPLES
6. The Cost Report - Estimating in Film Production
SIGN UP FOR # 6 of 6, THE COST REPORT - ESTIMATING IN FILM PRODUCTION
The purpose of this session is to get familiar with estimating in film production. The various elements above are brought together, along with some additional factors common to the line producer/unit production manager and to the production accountant.
John goes over the whys and wherefores, inviting participation with provided Excel schedules.
Link to the #6 of 6 Power Point Guide - I use Power Point as a guide only; think of it as a rough index of the content. Have a look to get an idea of the content.
The materials which you can download from this video site are: Excel worksheet template of Estimating scenarios, as well as the "after session" version; and, a Calendar for reference.
SIGN UP FOR # 6 of 6, THE COST REPORT - ESTIMATING IN FILM PRODUCTION
 1 to 6. ALL SIX RECORDED WEBINARS FOR $99
1. The Film Production Budget Introduced
2. Introducing Film Industry Labor Unions
3. The Concept of “Fringes”(Government & Union Contributions)
4. Introducing the Weekly Cost Report
5. The Cost Report - Estimating Costs To Complete - Examples
6. The Cost Report - Estimating in Film Production
You get a single web page with the six links to the same recorded webinars as above. Each video has an attachment tab with the materials listed above.
SIGN UP FOR ALL 6 ON-DEMAND VIDEOS (MV4)
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