Hello everyone, I am curious as to what others may use for making budgets. I use MMB7 and am very happy with it but have not had the opportunity to try others. What works for you and how timely is it?
Filmmaking / Directing : Budgets by Lisa L. Wynn
Other topics in Filmmaking / Directing:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
What is MMB7?
Movie Magic 7. It is a great program. The only downfall I have with it is that you have one download only. if you want to share the info or have someone else look at it you need to deactivate license and then process for downloading and activation needs to be done on another computer. That can become a nuisance.
How does the program help with budgeting?
I use just an ordinary spreadsheet, so then I can share and collaborate with others who have common software (excel, Google Docs, OpenOffice). I tried Chimpanzee, but didn't like the way it didn't easily resize. I also like the idea of being able to send the budget to an accountant or someone else in my team so they can proof it. I heard of Movie Magic 7, and thought of getting it (or Gorilla or Chimpanzee) to export scripts into and all that, so maybe someday.
The program is a cost estimate program. It's great when I am working with large number, and fringes.
I've used Showbiz Budgeting.. but I still cycle back to MM7. Showbiz is nice, it allows one to set up better variables for shooting in different Tax Incentive states.
I use Movie Magic, but I've worked with line producers that simply use Microsoft Excel. I enjoy that MM does some of the lifting for you as far as tax incentives.
1 person likes this
Tony this you tube link gives you an overview of Movie magic http://youtu.be/nen-GojChIc.. it's a great programme.
If you understand budgeting and how to use spreadsheet formulas, you can actually build it in Excel or a Google Docs spreadsheet. That's how I craft my budgets. The trick is starting with a topsheet and having each account group with its own worksheet. You can then build as much detail as needed into each account.
You can't go wrong with MM7.
I've got some free budget templates online you can download. Lots of other production forms too: http://yourresumesucks.biz/freebies.html