Almost every facet of the filmmaking
process is
distinguished by its lack of predictability. Anyone who has attempted to
make a film will attest to this simple truth.
Not only is filmmaking a complex medium
from a technical standpoint, it's also a medium that places the filmmaker
at the mercy of his own abilities and limitations, as well as those of his
associates.
Throw in weather and logistical problems,
which multiply in proportion to the complexity of the production, and you can see
why making a feature film is very difficult indeed.
With that said, the best protection for
the filmmaker is adequate advance preparation. This includes a realistic and
carefully constructed production budget.
Importance of the Budget
Regardless of the type of
film you intend to make--high concept, low budget, documentary, music video--potential
investors want to know how much it will cost. Consequently, the budget is
one of the key components of the sales package (along with the script and
talent) used to raise financing.
Once the script has been
purchased, the first step in producing the film is the preparation of the
budget. This document encompasses all of the foreseeable expenses that will be
incurred in translating the script to the screen.
Even when personally financing
your film, you need to know the real costs involved and can't just "wing
it." In fact, if you are putting your life savings on the line, it's more the reason
that you prepare a comprehensive budget.
Budget
as Blueprint
Everyone, from the student
filmmaker shooting his/her first project to the professional making a feature
length film, has a limited amount of funds to spend, whether that amount is
$500 or $50,000,000. Common sense, therefore, dictates that funds must
be allocated in such away that all costs are met through completion.
It would be a disappointment for
the fledgling and a disaster for the professional if funds were exhausted
before the film was completed. A solid budget is the best way to avoid such
defeat.
The budget is constructed using
experience, intuition, and research to determine current market prices for
services and rentals. No matter how well the budget is prepared, however, it
cannot guarantee completion of the film.
The budget can serve only as a
basic plan as the project moves through each phase of production. It is not
a substitute for frugality and common sense.
Accuracy
In addition to being
comprehensive, the budget must be honest. Ignoring or guessing the cost of
significant items defeats its purpose. Fudging is foolhardy and may
seriously jeopardize the success of the project.
As an aspiring filmmaker, the
ability to prepare an accurate budget is as vital to the filmmaking process
as the ability to use the other tools of the medium.
Implementation & Implementation
Film budgets have a specific
format, which evolved over the years from the old studio system. Templates are available from production
supply houses and come bundled in production software. There are also plenty
of free examples circulating on the Internet.
Once the budget
is establish and funded, the producer must see that every cent shows up on
screen. If a specific cost or line item does not contribute to this, perhaps
it is better trimmed off and reallocated to another area of the budget.
