TC 842 Budgeting

Producers do it--but have little or no training in it. predict the future world of projections in business, budgets are accepted way of life things more predictable and standardized than in production

Media Budgeting how do you value creativity attempt to impose order on essentially disordered process difficult to be precise frequently done backwards--ought to cost $$$$, make it fit necessary in all production

Bertold Brecht Ah how sorely they're mistaken Who think that money doesn't count Fruitfulness turns to famine When the kindly stream runs out

Operating Budget often flexible in businesses as long as stay within the total amount- but less so in non- profit organizations much estimation in budgeting – predicting prices (market forces), – salaries (union contracts), –success of a product (whimsy of consumer) profits depend on keeping within it Department heads must work within

Operating Budget allocation to the entire department total money for an entire fiscal yea –Equipment travel, phone, office supplies, subscriptions, special events, supplies –Salaries – overhead (lights, heat, corporate overhead charged) –maintenance and repair, rentals, licensing fees, instructional materials

Project Budget partial charge back –contracting department pays for extras only –tape, outside sources (writers, graphics, shooters, music, etc) –the out of pocket costs. –This is most frequent arrangement--PTV

Project Budget Total charge back –Contracting department pays for everything –hourly salaries, depreciation of eqt –plus out of pocket –outside clients

Project Budget Flat budget--all production is to be accomplished within a set budget for the year-- ITV

Budget Questions What must be done and who will pay for it 1. Can it be done in house, or will it require independent/external help ? 2. Travel ? How much ? 3. Length of program/piece ? 4. Level of sophistication of project (tape format, graphics, drama,web site)

Budget Questions What must be done and who will pay for it 5. Format (docum style more involved than studio int) 6. Does distribution require funding ( duplication, uplink costs,server, postage etc) 7. Performers/ talent 8. Research costs 9. Timeline

Budget Questions What must be done and who will pay for it 10. Shooting ratio 11. Sets/ graphics/materials 12. Size/sophistication of crew 13. Is there music 14 Remember set up/rehearsal 15. Royalties, fees 16. lighting, electrical

Budget Questions What must be done and who will pay for it 17. Media costs (tape,CD’s,DVD’s) 18. Food/lodging/catering 19. Insurance 20. Ancillary uses/technology –Web for tv or film

Budget Questions What must be done and who will pay for it Challenge all assumptions –Realistic ? –Needed ? –Do internally ? –Internal good enough

During Project Track all expenses –Weekly if possible Track payments Organizational tracking –Often well behind Save all receipts Cut costs where possible –Shoot less, reduce complexity Prompt action if problem surfaces

Questions for Outside Vendors Normal business hours Overtime rates Require operator Personnel and mileage for location shoots Minimums Liability Discounts--large volume or not-for-profit

Questions for Outside Vendors Down time policy--equipment malfunctions Cancellation deadline Equipment included in package ?

Budget Structure Pre-production Production Post production Duplication/distribution/promotion Evaluation

Contingency Almost always there Understood by funders Sometimes questioned Usually 10-15%