Limited spots - Private, interactive lab taught by a producer who's budgeted over 100 films! Only 10 spots available

You will walk away with a completed budget for your $1-$3 Million film! 

When you're aiming to produce a film with a $1-$3 million budget, having a detailed budget plan is essential. A well-crafted budget not only guides your spending but also helps secure funding and ensures your project stays on track. Without a solid budget, you risk overspending, missing financial targets, or even derailing your project entirely.

It's common for filmmakers to make missteps when budgeting, especially if they're new to the process. Misjudging costs, overlooking essential expenses, or failing to allocate funds properly can all lead to significant challenges. These mistakes can delay production, compromise the quality of your film, or cause you to run out of money before the project is completed.

In an exclusive Stage 32 8-part interactive lab you'll be learning from Julie Buck, a seasoned producer with extensive experience in budgeting and scheduling hundreds - yes hundreds! - of independent films. Julie's films have played at top-tier festivals like Tribeca and Sundance, and she has a wealth of knowledge in managing budgets for projects of all sizes. Her expertise will be invaluable as you navigate the complexities of budgeting your own film.

You will begin with a formal script breakdown, which will flag potential big-ticket items. You will then use that vital information to inform your decisions to create a budget tailored to your script; from hiring cast and crew to getting the film distributed. You will learn how to budget for both above and below the line crews, based on current SAG/AFTRA and IATSE rules. You will also learn the art of Film Scheduling and all that goes into getting your project locked into a production calendar. There are many factors that you would never think of when scheduling a film that you only learn from experience or quality instruction, which is why we brought in such a stellar educator.

PLUS! You will:

• Have direct access to Julie on email throughout the lab for any questions you have about your budget
• Have a dedicated lounge to stay in touch with your fellow classmates so you have a support system as you navigate your budget!
• Get sample budgets and breakdowns to study 

Remember, spots are limited to 10 students - get your spot today!

Praise for Julie:

"Julie is beyond informative and helpful. Thanks to her, I actually see a clear path to production on my first feature." - Tiffany R.

"Huge thanks to Julie for sharing her wealth of knowledge with our class. Her expertise is evident in her teaching. Well done." - Sebastian L.

PRE-CLASS PREP

Do you know what script you want to budget and schedule in this class? Make sure you have a script that you really love, understand, and want to see produced before we begin! And always come prepared with questions! Also, please make sure the script is in Final Draft format.  Tagging and exporting the script into Movie Magic Scheduling is much more difficult if the project is not in FinalDraft.

Creating an accurate film budget is complex and having budgeting software is required for this course.  It is strongly recommended that you purchase Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling. This software is the standard in the film industry and it is how all samples will be presented in class.  Gorilla and Celtx are budgeting software alternatives that can be used, however, be aware that no technical support will be provided on those platforms.

WEEK 1 – Introduction, Script Breakdown

This week we’ll cover how to look at your script through the eyes of a line producer and discuss script breakdowns to get us moving towards next week’s scheduling.

We will discuss what elements in a script need to be considered so you can build a schedule and budget.  This means tagging all of the important elements so your script will be able to be exported into Movie Magic Scheduling.

This week’s assignments will be:

• Breaking down your script at home so that it’s ready for scheduling next week. We will start this process in class.

WEEK 2 – Intro to Scheduling

This week we’ll set up your schedule for the film. We will take your script breakdown and determine how many days you’ll need to realistically shoot your film. 

This week’s assignments will be:

• After importing your script from FinalDraft into MM Scheduling, we will begin the process of organizing the first stages of your schedule.

• Sample breakdowns will be provided to look over in preparation of next week’s class.

WEEK 3 – Intro to Scheduling, Part II

This week we’ll finalize the schedule for the film. We’ll delve into how to how cast, specialty equipment, locations, special effects into consideration while finalizing a schedule.

This week’s assignment will be:

• Continue building your own schedule after importing from FinalDraft, based upon what you’ve learned this week. You will need to have a final schedule prepared for the next class.

• Familiarize yourself with supplied budgets before next week’s class.

WEEK 4 – Intro to the Budgeting Backend

Week three will focus on the first steps of getting the schedule into the budget. We will look at unions, fringes, and globals and how they change based on a budget level. It can be tedious at first, but ultimately makes a huge difference to your final budget.

This week’s assignment will be:

• Continue building the backend of your budget so you are prepped jumping into Above the Line next week.

• Apply the concept of crew globals to your script and consider how to create pay tiers.

WEEK 5 – Above and Below the Line Crew

This week we’ll jump into the costs of related to cast and crew portions of the budget. We’ll discuss standard costs for producers, directors, actors and writers. This week we’ll cover crew costs for your budget. We’ll discuss how many people are needed in a department, how to find reasonable rates at your budget level, kit fees, fringes and more, based on SAG and IATSE rates.

This week’s assignment will be:

• Continue filling out your crew rates

• Look at the IATSE crew rate breakdown and familiarize yourself with crew positions.

WEEK 6 – Below the Line Production

We’ll finish up filling in below the line production. This will cover vehicles, craft services, rentals for every department, locations, permits, art department—basically everything needed that isn’t a person.

This week’s assignment will be:

• Continue populating your budget with elements from today’s class.

• Continue to work on past sections.

WEEK 7 – Budgeting Post and Contractuals 

We’ll look at editors, sound design, graphics, finishing, contingencies, accounting fees, production company fees etc, until we’ve got a roughly completed budget.

This week’s assignment will be:

• Complete the first draft of your budget.

• Look over your budget and schedule for next week’s class.

• Prepare any last questions you’ve got for the final class.

WEEK 8 – Finalizing the Budget and Last Thoughts

For this final week we will be doing a review of our budgets—we’ll be going back through the budget, script, and schedule to make sure everything is accounted for in each and address any outstanding concerns, questions, clarifications or problems in the budgets you are creating.

We’ll also be going over how to easily tweak the budget based on the amount of money you’re able to raise. We will also discuss any issues you might have concerning your individual budgets.

This week’s assignment will be:

• Relax and feel good about having a new budget!!

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• This lab is designed for anyone who wants to create a Feature Film with a $1 Million - $3 Million budget
• Can't make a live session? Don't worry! It will be recorded and you can watch it at your convenience. 
• **Julie will be available on email during the 8 sessions to answer any questions you have about your project.**
• This is a private, in-depth, practical, and interactive class hosted on Zoom with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• This lab will consist of eight sessions, each roughly two hours in duration and spaced one week apart from one another.
• In addition to the presentation-style lessons, you will have the opportunity to ask Julie questions during each session and keep in touch with her via email.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the process.

Filmmakers and Producers who want to complete a budget for a $1-$3 Million Feature Film 

Saturday January 11th 9am-11am PT

Saturday January 18th 9am-11am PT

Saturday January 25th 9am-11am PT

Saturday February 1st 9am-11am PT

Saturday February 8th 9am-11am PT

Saturday February 15th 9am-11am PT

Saturday February 22nd 9am-11am PT

Saturday March 1st 9am-11am PT

"Julie is beyond informative and helpful. Thanks to her, I actually see a clear path to production on my first feature." - Tiffany R.

"Huge thanks to Julie for sharing her wealth of knowledge with our class. Her expertise is evident in her teaching. Well done." - Sebastian L.