Movie Budgeting Breakdown of a Professional Movie Budget
Professional movie budgeting is the skill of creating an industry standard document which presents the costs of production of a film, movie or tv production. The budget contains every cost that is required to bring a screenplay or teleplay from the written word to the screen.
Why Is Professional Movie Budgeting Important?
Movie Budgeting by a Directors Guild of America (DGA) Unit Production Manager (UPM) or Line Producer is a critical factor in obtaining film finance for your movie, film or tv series. The film and television industry relies on a professional production manager or line producer to create an accurate and detailed budget which lays out the costs to complete a production.
What Are The General Categories of Expenses & Costs of Movie Budgeting Details?
The following information will explain the various categories utilized to organize the movie budgeting objectives in communicating the entire cost and expense of producing a professional entertainment industry production.
The Movie Budget Top Sheet
A Top Sheet is the industry language for the topmost page of a movie budget. This is one (or two) page(s) of the lines of production categories summarizing the calculations underlying the totals. The work involved in creating the top sheet is evident in the multiple pages breaking out all costs “below” the top sheet, which make up the bulk of the budget document.
A Top Sheet cannot accurately be created without the underlying, supportive breakdown of all costings within the budget. It can be “guessed at”, however as a 25 year veteran, this is not something I recommend nor falsely claim to undertake as accurate. More on this later, however, suffice it to say “we know when it’s faked.”
The Categories of a Movie Budget & What They Contain
Story Rights & Acquisition Costs
Covers the purchase or licensing of the script, book, or other intellectual property rights. This may also include payments to writers for script development.
Directors Unit
Includes the director’s salary, travel, and any associated expenses. It may also cover assistant directors and other key personnel supporting the director’s vision.
Producers Unit
Covers fees for producers, executive producers, co-producers, and their support staff. This also includes expenses related to production oversight and management.
Cast
Includes salaries, residuals, and perks for principal actors, supporting roles, and stunt performers. Casting director fees may also be included.
Above the Line Travel
Accounts for travel, lodging, and per diem costs for above-the-line personnel, such as directors, producers, and lead actors.
Above the Line Total
Summarizes all above-the-line costs, combining story rights, director, producer, and cast expenses.
Production Level
Represents the overall scale of production, impacting crew size, equipment rentals, and logistics. Higher-budget productions have more extensive requirements.
Production Staff (or Production Administration)
Includes salaries for production managers, coordinators, assistants, and office expenses like supplies, communication, and scheduling tools.
Extras / Background Talent
Covers payments, casting fees, and any associated costs for background actors and stand-ins.
Production Design
Encompasses the overall visual aesthetic, including the production designer’s salary, concept art, and creative planning.
Construction
Accounts for building sets, including labor, materials, and on-site construction crews.
Set Operations
Covers costs related to maintaining and operating the set, including on-set labor, set security, and maintenance.
Special Effects
Includes practical effects such as explosions, prosthetics, animatronics, and mechanical rigs used during filming.
Set Dressing
Covers decorations, furniture, and all non-moveable items used to create the environment within a scene.
Property
Refers to hand-held objects and interactive props used by actors during scenes, such as weapons, food, or mobile phones.
Picture Vehicles
Includes the rental, purchase, or modification of vehicles used on screen, such as cars, trucks, or specialty vehicles.
Wardrobe
Covers costume design, fabric purchases, tailoring, and costume rentals. Also includes salaries for costume designers and stylists.
Hair/Makeup
Includes makeup artists, hairstylists, prosthetics, and any special cosmetic effects required for the cast.
Lighting
Covers all lighting equipment, rigging, and crew needed for proper on-set illumination and creative lighting design.
Camera
Includes cameras, lenses, accessories, and salaries for camera operators, assistants, and cinematographers.
Production Sound
Accounts for all sound recording on set, including boom operators, sound mixers, microphones, and recording equipment.
Transportation
Covers the rental of trucks, vans, and other vehicles needed to transport cast, crew, and equipment.
Location
Includes location scouting, rental fees, permits, and payments to property owners for on-location shoots.
Total Production
Summarizes all below-the-line production expenses, from crew salaries to equipment rentals.
Post Production
Covers the editing and finishing of the film, including digital processing and fine-tuning.
Post Production Supervision
Includes salaries for post-production supervisors and coordinators who oversee the editing, sound, and visual effects process.
Visual Effects (VFX)
Covers CGI, green screen compositing, motion capture, and digital enhancements added in post-production.
Film Editing
Includes the editor’s salary, editing suites, software, and assistant editors who cut and assemble the final film.
Music
Accounts for original score composition, licensing of existing music, recording sessions, and musician fees.
Post Production Sound
Includes ADR (automated dialogue replacement), foley, sound effects, and final mixing.
Post Production Film & Lab
Covers film processing, color correction, and any lab services used for film finishing.
Main/End Titles
Includes the design and creation of opening and closing credits, including visual elements.
Total Post Production
Summarizes all post-production expenses, including editing, sound, and VFX.
Publicity
Covers marketing, advertising, trailers, press tours, and promotional events.
Insurance
Includes production insurance, cast insurance, and general liability coverage.
General Expense
Covers miscellaneous administrative and operational costs that don’t fit into other budget categories.
Film Tax Credits and Film Tax Incentives
Calculation of film tax credits and film tax incentives allowable costs for obtaining state and country financial contributions. Detailed analysis of which amounts are applicable to financial incentives.
This can often be multiple territory consideration for certain budgets. Once movie budgeting is complete, each category is allocated to provide a total applicable expenditure for labor and materials.
Bank Fee
Includes loan origination fees, banking charges, and financial transaction costs.
Total Other
Summarizes all miscellaneous costs outside of production and post-production.
Contractual Charges
Covers union fees, guild payments, and residuals required by industry agreements.
Completion Bond
The Completion Bond or Completion Guarantee, is a financial guarantee ensuring the film is completed on time and within budget, often required by investors.
Contingency
A reserved portion of the budget for unexpected expenses or cost overruns.
Financing Fees
Includes interest payments, loan structuring fees, and costs associated with securing film financing.
Total Above-The-Line
Summarizes all above-the-line expenses, including story rights, director, producer, and cast fees.
Total Below-The-Line
Summarizes all below-the-line expenses, including production and post-production costs.
Total Above and Below-The-Line
Represents the full production cost before additional fees like publicity and financing.
Grand Total
The final total movie budget, including all production, post-production, financing, and distribution costs.
Film Financiers Require Accurate Movie Budgeting
Having an accurate movie budget for your production goals is highly advantageous. Being able to present with confidence a movie budget for investors sets a filmmaker apart from others, demonstrates an understanding of the requirements of production, and instills trust in the team involved.
Get an Accurate, Proven Movie Budget for Investors by a Major Hollywood Studio and Indie Film Line Producer
Veteran Producer, Line Producer and DGA UPM, FilmBudget.com Worldwide Founder Jack Binder creates custom movie budgeting breakdowns, shooting schedule packages for financiers and investors.
We offer a free consultation on your project, whether a film or tv series. Get in touch to discuss your production with a 30 industry veteran.
Producer Jack Binder Producer Credits and IMDB Page
