Price of production

[tomtopo]

How would I find someone who could give me the production costs from a script I wrote? Would it be possible for someone to read a script and give me more than a ballpark figure needed to produce it? I actually think I can find some investors willing to shell out a couple million or more but I'll need more than guesstimates. Topper

[mario_c]

A good coordinator can sit with you and put together a timeline, because people's time is the biggest cost of making a movie. By people, I mean your cast and crew - DP, grips and gaffers, sound. Lunch? Transportation?
Building sets or filming on location? Are you filming in LA or another big city? You'll need permits. Otherwise, you'll need to put your army up in a hotel. Do you have stars attached, even faded or minor ones?
Are you filming on 35mm or DV? Any special FX? Again, there's the daily rate of a camera (and 35mm requires insurance, which is obscene, and a crew of its own). Generally you rent a package including lights, sync sound if you're filming 'analog', and even crew. There are low budget DPs who own their own equipment, so make the calls for rates. And call the unions if you aren't sure what the rules are.

Script writing programs like celtx and probably Final Draft have a coordinator function that will figure out timelines. But the above features will require lots of research - mandy.com and cinematography.com have lots of links to production services, and prepare to shop around a lot.

That's just getting started. Good luck!

[MsDixson]

You need to find a Line Producer or Unit Production Manager -- you can look through the DGA for someone if you don't know any production folks personally. In general, expect to pay for this service (anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars). A line producer with credits will probably also want to be "attached" to the project should it ever go into production.... this doesn't mean that the person has to be, but when you contract out for the budgeting just be sure to include language that will allow you to use the budget as a "work-for-hire" so you are free and clear to hire someone else later if you have to...

[zeprosnepsid]

Yeah, as mentioned, that's a Line Producer. Just put up a Craigslist ad or some such (on LA Craigslist whether you live here or not).

And to reiterate, expect to put out some cash.

[Hillgate]

How would I find someone who could give me the production costs from a script I wrote? Would it be possible for someone to read a script and give me more than a ballpark figure needed to produce it? I actually think I can find some investors willing to shell out a couple million or more but I'll need more than guesstimates. Topper

If you have possible 2mil + funding then you should engage a director ASAP and get him to do all this contingent on the funding coming through.

I'll give you a ballpark. Just answer these questions:

1. Where is it set? How many different locations? Interior or exterior mainly?
2. When is it set? Medieval or now?
3. What's the logline?
4. How many cast? How many crowd scenes?
5. Need for stars or not? Presumably not.
6. How many 'tricky bits' eg fights, gunshots, stunts?
7. How long is the screenplay?

You can make a great movie for a few hundred thousand dollars. Do this rather than 2m especially if it's your first try. :)

[Aeroud]

I went looking for the same type of information. What I found was a place called A Film Writer, afilmwriter.com. I think that is the site where I found cost to produce information.

[Celia Cyanide]

If you have possible 2mil + funding then you should engage a director ASAP and get him to do all this contingent on the funding coming through.

I'll give you a ballpark. Just answer these questions:

1. Where is it set? How many different locations? Interior or exterior mainly?
2. When is it set? Medieval or now?
3. What's the logline?
4. How many cast? How many crowd scenes?
5. Need for stars or not? Presumably not.
6. How many 'tricky bits' eg fights, gunshots, stunts?
7. How long is the screenplay?

You can make a great movie for a few hundred thousand dollars. Do this rather than 2m especially if it's your first try. :)


I strongly agree with this.

Also, I'm curious about where you live. Are there are lot of experienced film crew people there? A film school, maybe? Are there a lot of good actors?

[tomtopo]

It's will be an "in-state" production. A chance for no-names to get a shot. Who knows, maybe you'll be part of the production (I hope). Topper

[tomtopo]

Michigan is spending some money trying to attract the film industry to our state - the possibilities are endless. The script I'm pitching will use a few of our streets downtown, a high school football stadium, a hospital, a home (some other odds and ends).. Who knows what kind of talent is here, but I'm willing to bet a decent director could make this script a hit. Some of my friends know some actors who could play one of the main characters. I have a boat load of scripts but this one is my favorite. My Hollywood agent has been less that energetic (and I'm not going to look for another one) -- a sore subject. I do appreciate the responses from everyone. If you have some more ideas or would like to be part of the film in some way - give me a holler. When you live in Michigan, getting permits is a lot easier than in other areas of the country. I'm staying positive and hope I stick with it. Thank you! Topper

I strongly agree with this.

Also, I'm curious about where you live. Are there are lot of experienced film crew people there? A film school, maybe? Are there a lot of good actors?

[zeprosnepsid]

There is actually about a million films shooting in Michigan right now. I'm actually working on one with 2 big name actors. So there should be pro-crew there if nothing else.

[tomtopo]

I'd enjoy talking with you sometime. Finding money is a lot easier when you can give investors a detailed business plan. Topper

[zeprosnepsid]

Oh, it's nothing worth congrats :) I didn't write it. I edit and produce behind the scenes do dads for my day job.