#FILM BUDGET PLAN TEMPLATE HOW TO#

More organic? Are you editing with a tight script, or finding your story withinĪ ton of verite footage? These are vital determinations which will help youĮstimate your costs accurately for each phase of creation. Interviews in a set number of locations, or do you have to allow for something Middle and end, or is it more open-ended? Are you shooting a set number of Yourself such questions as: Does your filming subject have a natural beginning, Create a Production and Post Production Timelineĭo your best to map out how much time it will take you toĬomplete each phase of filming and post production, through to delivery. Take to get it in the can? What are the stylistic elements? Who is on theĬreative team? What length and format will it be? Will there be transmediaĮlements, etc…Only when you know these things very clearly will you be able toĢ. Where, When and How of your filming plan. Writing a treatment forces you to clarify the Who, What,

Treatment is a great exercise that helps you determine and communicate the You might be tempted to skip this step, but a 1-2 page

#FILM BUDGET PLAN TEMPLATE HOW TO#

How To Create An Accurate Documentary Budget (Top 9 Do's and Don'ts) 1. Jilann Spitzmiller shooting STILL DREAMING documentary With that in mind, here are some of my best tips that will help you create a solid budget. So just know that I am rooting for you! I want you to create successful proposal packages so that you get the funding you need. I have to say that one of my biggest missions in life is to help others tell their important stories. We must feel that not only does the chosen filmmaker have a great story, but also that they’ll get that story made responsibly. If we see a budget that seems a little off, we usually pass, and give the funding to a filmmaker that has done all of their homework and who instills confidence. Things are so competitive now that you HAVE to have your numbers right. In addition to making documentaries, I am a judge on a prestigious film grant myself, so I see these proposals and budgets that come in from filmmakers of all different experience levels. 'If we see a budget that seems a little off, we usually pass.' Jilann and Hank At Lincoln Center NYC showing HOMELAND A Funder's Perspective Learn how to create an irresistible funding package, which included a solid, realistic To a National PBS broadcast and paved the way for subsequent award-winningĭo you know why HOMELAND was our turning point from workingįor others to working for ourselves? It’s because we had taken the time to Phone and saying “Mom! Now I’m going to have a career as a filmmaker!” I knew So, when Hank and I began applying for grants for our firstįeature documentary, HOMELAND, we were more successful.Īpplication cycle, we went from being total NOBODIES to receiving a $240,000įunding deal from ITVS in one fell swoop. Learned how to budget and how to schedule a production accurately.

As I worked my way up from Production Assistant to ultimately Producer, I

So, I went to work for otherįilmmakers and I began to see how films were really put together and what theyĬost. And we didn’t get the next several either.

When Hank (my filmmaking partner and husband) and I appliedįor our first film grant, we were totally clueless. Jilann Spitzmiller shooting CIRCLE OF STORIES for PBS.org, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival From $0 to $240,000

Film budget plan template