Film Budgeteers Budget

YOUR PRODUCTION BEGINS RIGHT NOW. Let's create a detailed line-item budget for your film, episode, or series — a budget you can hand to investors, impress your crowdfunders with, or just use as a blueprint to actually produce your project.

To do that, we're going to ask you a few easy questions about your project. Then our budgeting engine will put together your budget, using all the latest labor and line item rates.

To begin, please select what kind of project you'd like to budget for and then click NEXT.
What kind of budget would you like to create?*
- Feature or Short Film
- Series

Enter Your Details
What email address would you like your budget file(s) emailed to?*

IMPORTANT: This is the email we are sending your budget to. Please make sure it's a valid e-mail address that you can receive email at. Also make sure that our email address support@filmbudgeteers.com is not being blocked or marked as spam by your email app.

Please enter YOUR email address, not OURS.
Your Project Title
Preparer's First Name*
Preparer's Last Name
Director Name (optional)
Budget Prepared Date
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Click me!
1) Click on these little boxes throughout if you need more information.

2) Make sure you just use the PREVIOUS and NEXT buttons in this form, and not your browser’s back/forward buttons. (Unless you want to destroy your film career.)

Enter Your Budget Amount
What total amount would you like your budget to be?*
Minimum $25,000.00 | Maximum $250,000,000.00
budget
budget with currency symbols removed
How would you like to budget your series?
- OPTION 1: Create SINGLE EPISODE BUDGET
- OPTION 2: Create an OVERALL SERIES BUDGET
Enter the episode number of this episode
(OPTIONAL) For example, if this is episode 1, enter "1." Or you can enter "Pilot," or just leave this blank if you want.
Enter the episode title
(OPTIONAL)
How many episodes would you like to use the above budget for?*
What do I enter here?
In the top box, enter the total amount you’d like to budget for your project. Our budgeting engine will then assign that amount to the various line items in your budget, based on how you answer the next few questions. If you’re budgeting for a series, other boxes will be visible which you can use to tell us more about how you’d like your budget presented.
But, wait. I don't know what my total budget is supposed to be!
If you don’t know what budget amount (even a general amount) you’d like to create a budget for, you’ll need to determine that first. Nearly all film and TV productions are greenlighted (approved for production) based on a budget amount that the producers say they can deliver the finished project for. Independent projects are no different. Producers and investors will want to see a specific budget amount before putting any cash into a project.

If you’re shooting the film DIY style on a low budget or trying to raise funds via crowdfunding or similar, enter the amount you’d like to raise. If you’re trying to secure financing from larger, more traditional sources or larger film investors, find the budgets of films you feel may be similar to yours by researching them on IMDB or boxofficemojo.com
Um...how many zeros do I type?
10000 = $10,000 / ten-thousand / four zeros
100000 = $100,000 / one-hundred thousand / five zeros
1000000 = $1,000,000 / one million / six zeros
10000000 = $10,000,000 / ten million / seven zeros
100000000 = $100,000,000 / one-hundred million / eight zeros
Oops! Film Budgeteers can only handle budgets between $25,000 and $250 million. Please enter a number within that range in the box above.
Oops! Film Budgeteers can only handle budgets between $25,000 and $250 million. Please enter a number within that range in the box above.

No-Budget/DIY (Do-It-Yourself)
Just a quick heads up — the budget amount you entered is what we classify as a No-Budget (AKA DIY) project. That's perfectly fine, but it means that the only guild you'll have the option to budget for is SAG-AFTRA (Ultra-Low Budget, Student Agreement, or Short Project Agreements only.). Guilds we won't budget for because they don't make sense at this budget level: WGA, DGA, IATSE, and the Teamsters
No-Budget/DIY (Do-It-Yourself)
Just a quick heads up — the budget amount you entered is what we classify as a No-Budget (AKA DIY) project. That's perfectly fine, but it means that the only guild you'll have the option to budget for is SAG-AFTRA (Ultra-Low Budget or Short Project Agreements only). Guilds we won't budget for because they don't make sense at this budget level: WGA, DGA, IATSE, and the Teamsters
Low-Budget
Just a quick heads up — the budget amount you entered is what we classify as a Low-Budget project. That's perfectly fine, but it means that the only guild you'll have the option to budget for is SAG-AFTRA (Ultra-Low Budget or Modified Low Budget agreements only). Guilds we won't budget for because they don't make sense at this budget level: WGA, DGA, IATSE, and the Teamsters.
What does this mean?
No-Budget/Low-Budget means your budget will still have money to work with, but things will be very very tight. Be aware that this means a very small cast and crew, some of whom may not even be paid minimum wage, so you’ll probably need to call in some favors. If this is not what you’re going for, click PREVIOUS and raise your budget amount.
Do I need to hire SAG-AFTRA actors?
Most actors are members of SAG-AFTRA, so your casting options may be limited if your film isn’t a SAG-AFTRA film. You can choose whether or not to use SAG-AFTRA actors in the next section and we’ll budget accordingly.
Do I need to budget for WGA, DGA, IATSE, and Teamsters?
No. At this level of budget, you can’t afford to hire crew from those guilds. But don’t worry. Many great films and series have been made at this budget level, so don’t let that stop you.
Indie Budget
Just a quick heads up — the budget amount you entered is what we classify as an Indie Budget project. As such, the only guilds you have the option of budgeting for are SAG-AFTRA (Modified Low-Budget or Low Budget contract only) and WGA. Guilds we won't include because they don't make sense at this budget level: DGA, IATSE, and the Teamsters.
What does this mean?
Indie Budget means your budget has a decent amount of money to work with, and you can afford to hire a more professional cast and crew, but certain guilds and other expensive line items associated with bigger films will not be included. If this is not what you’re going for, click PREVIOUS and adjust your budget amount.
Do I need to hire SAG-AFTRA actors?
Most actors are members of SAG-AFTRA, so your casting options may be limited if your film isn’t a SAG-AFTRA film. You can choose whether or not to use SAG-AFTRA actors in the next section and we’ll budget accordingly.
Do I need to hire WGA writer(s)?
No, but some writers may not be able to work on your film if you are not a WGA signatory. You can choose whether or not to budget for WGA writer(s) in the next section and we’ll budget accordingly.
Do I need to budget for DGA, IATSE, and Teamsters?
No. At this level of budget, you can’t afford to hire crew from those guilds. But don’t worry. Many great films and series have been made at this budget level, so don’t let that stop you.

Guild Selection
Now let's pick which guilds/unions you'd like to budget for (if any). Only guilds/unions that make sense for your budget level will appear as options.
pathguildselection
What happens if I select Budget for all guilds that make sense at your budget level?
If you select this option, we’ll create your budget using all guilds/unions that our engine feels makes sense for your budget level. The higher the amount you entered for your budget, the more likely our engine will use guilds. The lower the amount you entered for budget, the more likely we’ll only budget for SAG-AFTRA talent, but budget for no other guilds. (RECOMMENDED)
What happens if I select Budget for NO guilds whatsoever?
If you select this option, we turn off all guilds — SAG, WGA, DGA, IATSE, and Teamsters — no matter what your budget level. CAUTION: We don’t recommend doing this, and especially not for budgets over $2 million or so, because you may be risking conflict with the guilds or unions, which could lead to your project being picketed, halted, or “flipped,” which could end up costing you far more money and headache than if you’d just hired guild/union labor in the first place.
I have a very small budget and I'm doing my project DIY. What should I select?
If you’re on a very small budget, our budgeting engine will automatically prevent you from budgeting for any union/guild other than SAG-AFTRA. But if even SAG-AFTRA is something you don’t want to budget for, we recommend selecting Budget for NO guilds whatsoever.

WGA (Writers Guild of America)
walkthroughpickwga*
- Budget for WGA writer(s)
- Budget for NON-WGA writers(s)
What happens if I choose non-WGA?
Put simply, if you budget for non-WGA writers, your budget will have slightly more money available to spend in other areas, such as cast, VFX, and other options we’ll get to in a second.
Is it necessary for my project to use WGA writer(s)?
No. If your project is small, it’s probably necessary to work with non-WGA writers.
How much more does it cost to work with WGA writers?
It depends on what your budget is and what specific WGA contract you fit into. Film Budgeteers recommends you talk to a WGA representative for all the details on their various contracts, some of which are designed to fit smaller budgets.

SAG-AFTRA
walkthroughpicksag*
- Budget for SAG-AFTRA cast
- Budget for NON-SAG-AFTRA cast
Budget for SAG-AFTRA Student Agreement?
Budget for SAG-AFTRA Short Project Agreement?
Does my project have to be a SAG-AFTRA project?
No, but if it isn’t, you could find it more difficult to find quality talent for your project. It’s more paperwork, costs you more, and you have to strictly adhere to SAG-AFTRA’s rules, but Film Budgeteers still wholeheartedly recommends your project is a SAG-AFTRA project, no matter what your budget level.
How much more does it cost to work with SAG actors?
It depends on what your budget is and what specific SAG contract you fit into. Film Budgeteers recommends you chat up a SAG representative for all the details.
Does my project have to be a SAG-AFTRA project?
No, but if it isn’t, you could find it more difficult to find quality talent for your project. It’s more paperwork, costs you more, and you have to strictly adhere to SAG-AFTRA’s rules, but Film Budgeteers still wholeheartedly recommends your project is a SAG-AFTRA project, no matter what your budget level.
How much more does it cost to work with SAG actors?
It depends on what your budget is and what specific SAG contract you fit into. Film Budgeteers recommends you chat up a SAG representative for all the details.
Is my project eligible for the SAG-AFTRA Student Agreement??
Only select the SAG-AFTRA Student Agreement if you are (a) enrolled in an accredited education institution, (b) the final project’s running time will be no longer than 35 minutes, (c) the budget is no more than $35,000 and (d) you plan to adhere to all the rest of the terms of the SAG-AFTRA Student Film Agreement.
Is my project eligible for the SAG-AFTRA Short Agreement??
Only select the SAG-AFTRA Short Project Agreement if (a) the final project’s running time will be no longer than 35 minutes, (b) the budget is no more than $50,000 and (c) you plan to adhere to all the rest of the terms of the SAG-AFTRA Short Project Agreement.
Can my project be both a SAG Student and a SAG Short project?
No. SAG requires you to use one agreement or the other. You cannot use both.

DGA (Directors Guild of America)
walkthroughpickdga*
- Budget for DGA
- Budget for non-DGA
Do I have to work with a DGA director?
No.
What is a UPM? What is an AD?
Unit Production Manager (UPM), Assistant Directors (1st AD, 2nd AD, 2nd 2nd AD, etc.)
How much more does it cost to work with a DGA director and DGA crew?
It depends on the size of your budget. Film Budgeteers recommends you talk with a DGA representative for all the details.

IATSE
walkthroughpickiatse*
- Budget for IATSE
- Budget for non-IATSE
What crew positions can be IATSE?
Pretty much every position on the production is represented by Locals of IATSE, from art department through camera department and so on. Exceptions include transportation and several location department positions, which are under the purview of the Teamsters.
Do I need to work with an IATSE crew?
No, but like most guild and union members, IATSE members are generally far more skilled and efficient than their non-union counterparts. Working with union crew costs more, but could save you a lot of money and time, and make your project ultimately more valuable.
How much more does it cost to work with an IATSE crew?
It depends on the size of your budget. Film Budgeteers recommends you talk with representatives of any local IATSE group for all the details. (There are numerous different Local IATSE’s that handle different classifications of crew.)

TEAMSTERS
walkthroughpickteamsters*
- Budget for Teamsters
- Budget for non-Teamsters
What crew positions can be Teamsters?
Teamsters are mostly those who handle transportation and logistics, including trucks, driving, and locations, but can include various other positions as well.
Do I need to work with a Teamsters crew?
No, but like most guild and union members, Teamsters members are generally far more skilled and efficient than their non-union counterparts. Working with union crew costs more, but could save you a lot of money and time, and make your project ultimately more valuable.
How much more does it cost to work with the Teamsters union?
It depends on the size of your budget. Film Budgeteers recommends you talk with a Teamsters union rep for all details.

Cast
What should I enter here?
In the first box, enter the number of characters in your project. Include your main characters, secondary characters, and even small speaking roles. Don’t include background/extras. In the boxes below that, you can enter the names of your characters, or the names of the actors, or just leave them as “Cast Member 1,” etc.
"I have more than 25 cast" OR "My project has no cast."
Enter the first 25. In the budget file we send you, you’ll be able to manually insert more line items as needed. (Only if you choose to purchase the editable Excel version during checkout.) If your project has no Cast, just enter 0.
How many Cast members would you like to budget for?
Please enter a number from 0 to 25.
Just a heads up — Because of the small amount of funds you're working with, the budget we send you will only budget for 5 paid cast members. The rest of the cast will be listed as non-paid so that we can properly budget the rest of your project. If this is not what you intended, please go back and enter a higher budget amount.
Just a heads up — Because of the low amount of funds you're working with, the budget we send you will only budget for 10 or so paid cast members. The rest of the cast will be listed as non-paid so that we can properly budget the rest of your project. If this is not what you intended, please go back and enter a higher budget amount.
Cast Member 1
Cast Member 2
Cast Member 3
Cast Member 4
Cast Member 5
Cast Member 6
Cast Member 7
Cast Member 8
Cast Member 9
Cast Member 10
Cast Member 11
Cast Member 12
Cast Member 13
Cast Member 14
Cast Member 15
Cast Member 16
Cast Member 17
Cast Member 18
Cast Member 19
Cast Member 20
Cast Member 21
Cast Member 22
Cast Member 23
Cast Member 24
Cast Member 25

No/Low-Budget Limitations
Just a reminder: due to the small amount you're working with, your budget may show many line items as $0, and may also list several cast/crew as being paid less than scale, or less than minimum wage, or even $0.

This is intentional for budget of this size, as Film Budgeteers' priority is to budget so that the project can actually be completed, no matter what. To that end, we allocate your funds in a way that assumes you're going to be calling in a lot of favors and freebies.

If this is not what you want, please go back and enter a higher budget amount.
Budget Limitations*
- I understand.

usersagstudent
usersagshort
usersag
userwga
userdga
useriatse
userteamsters
userweeksprep
userweeksshoot
userweekswrap
userweekspost
usercast
usertravel
userstunts
userspfx
usermufx
useranimals
uservfx
confirmation page displays SAG-AFTRA MANUAL 1
confirmation page displays SAG-AFTRA MANUAL 2
confirmation page displays SAG-AFTRA AUTOMATIC
confirmation page displays SAGSTUDENT if user is allowed to choose
confirmation page displays SAGSHORT if user is allowed to choose
confirmation page displays WGA if user is allowed to choose
confirmation page displays WGA if indie or higher
confirmation page displays DGA if user is allowed to choose
confirmation page displays DGA if indie or higher
confirmation page displays IATSE if user is allowed to choose
confirmation page displays IATSE if medium or higher
confirmation page displays TEAMSTERS if user is allowed to choose
confirmation page displays TEAMSTERS if high or higher
Almost done! Please confirm your selections
If everything looks good, click on NEXT. If you need to make changes, use the PREVIOUS button to go back.

Budget: {budgetpretty:13}
Guilds: {confirmationSAGmanual1:451}{confirmationSAGmanual2:475} {confirmationSAGautomatic:464} {confirmationSAGSTUDENTuserchooses:465}{confirmationSAGSHORTuserchooses:466} {confirmationWGAuserchooses:452}{confirmationWGAindieorhigher:457} {confirmationDGAuserchooses:458}{confirmationDGAmediumorhigher:459} {confirmationIATSEuserchooses:460}{confirmationIATSEmediumorhigher:461} {confirmationTEAMSTERSuserchooses:462}{confirmationTEAMSTERShighorhigher:463}
Pre-Production: {nobudgetdefaultprepweeks:446}{smallbudgetdefaultprepweeks:449}{lowbudgetuserweeksprep:360}{lowbudgetdefaultprepweeks:386}{indiebudgetuserweeksprep:409}{indiebudgetdefaultprepweeks:387}{mediumbudgetuserweeksprep:368}{mediumbudgetdefaultprepweeks:391}{highbudgetuserweeksprep:373}{highbudgetdefaultprepweeks:395}{studiobudgetuserweeksprep:378}{studiobudgetdefaultprepweeks:403}{megabudgetuserweeksprep:383}{megabudgetdefaultprepweeks:399} weeks | Shooting: {nobudgetuserweeksshoot:296}{nobudgetdefaultshootweeks:384}{smallbudgetuserweeksshoot:356}{smallbudgetdefaultshootweeks:385}{lowbudgetuserweeksshoot:359}{lowbudgetdefaultshootweeks:411}{indiebudgetuserweeksshoot:363}{indiebudgetdefaultshootweeks:388}{mediumbudgetuserweeksshoot:367}{mediumbudgetdefaultshootweeks:392}{highbudgetuserweeksshoot:372}{highbudgetdefaultshootweeks:396}{studiobudgetuserweeksshoot:377}{studiobudgetdefaultshootweeks:402}{megabudgetuserweeksshoot:382}{megabudgetdefaultshootweeks:404} weeks | Wrap: {nobudgetdefaultwrapweeks:447}{smallbudgetdefaultwrapweeks:450}{lowbudgetdefaultwrapweeks:445}{indiebudgetuserweekswrap:309}{indiebudgetdefaultwrapweeks:389}{mediumbudgetuserweekswrap:366}{mediumbudgetdefaultwrapweeks:393}{highbudgetuserweekswrap:371}{highbudgetdefaultwrapweeks:397}{studiobudgetuserweekswrap:376}{studiobudgetdefaultwrapweeks:401}{megabudgetuserweekswrap:381}{megabudgetdefaultwrapweeks:405} weeks | Post-Production: {nobudgetdefaultpostweeks:448}{smallbudgetuserweekspost:407}{smallbudgetdefaultpostweeks:408}{lowbudgetuserweekspost:358}{lowbudgetdefaultpostweeks:410}{indiebudgetuserweekspost:362}{indiebudgetdefaultpostweeks:390}{mediumbudgetuserweekspost:365}{mediumbudgetdefaultpostweeks:394}{highbudgetuserweekspost:370}{highbudgetdefaultpostweeks:398}{studiobudgetuserweekspost:375}{studiobudgetdefaultpostweeks:400}{megabudgetuserweekspost:380}{megabudgetdefaultpostweeks:406} weeks | # of Cast: {How many Cast members would you like to budget for?:57}
Customization Points: Cast: {usercast:519} | Travel/Lodging: {usertravel:520} | Stunts: {userstunts:521} | Special Effects: {userspfx:522} | Makeup Effects: {usermufx:523} | Animals: {useranimals:524} | Visual Effects: {uservfx:525}
Email address that we are sending this budget to: {email:10}
Almost done! Please confirm your selections
If everything looks good, click on NEXT. If you need to make changes, use the PREVIOUS button to go back.

Budget: {budgetpretty:13}
Guilds: No guilds. 100% non-union.
Pre-Production: {nobudgetdefaultprepweeks:446}{smallbudgetdefaultprepweeks:449}{lowbudgetuserweeksprep:360}{lowbudgetdefaultprepweeks:386}{indiebudgetuserweeksprep:409}{indiebudgetdefaultprepweeks:387}{mediumbudgetuserweeksprep:368}{mediumbudgetdefaultprepweeks:391}{highbudgetuserweeksprep:373}{highbudgetdefaultprepweeks:395}{studiobudgetuserweeksprep:378}{studiobudgetdefaultprepweeks:403}{megabudgetuserweeksprep:383}{megabudgetdefaultprepweeks:399} weeks | Shooting: {nobudgetuserweeksshoot:296}{nobudgetdefaultshootweeks:384}{smallbudgetuserweeksshoot:356}{smallbudgetdefaultshootweeks:385}{lowbudgetuserweeksshoot:359}{lowbudgetdefaultshootweeks:411}{indiebudgetuserweeksshoot:363}{indiebudgetdefaultshootweeks:388}{mediumbudgetuserweeksshoot:367}{mediumbudgetdefaultshootweeks:392}{highbudgetuserweeksshoot:372}{highbudgetdefaultshootweeks:396}{studiobudgetuserweeksshoot:377}{studiobudgetdefaultshootweeks:402}{megabudgetuserweeksshoot:382}{megabudgetdefaultshootweeks:404} weeks | Wrap: {nobudgetdefaultwrapweeks:447}{smallbudgetdefaultwrapweeks:450}{lowbudgetdefaultwrapweeks:445}{indiebudgetuserweekswrap:309}{indiebudgetdefaultwrapweeks:389}{mediumbudgetuserweekswrap:366}{mediumbudgetdefaultwrapweeks:393}{highbudgetuserweekswrap:371}{highbudgetdefaultwrapweeks:397}{studiobudgetuserweekswrap:376}{studiobudgetdefaultwrapweeks:401}{megabudgetuserweekswrap:381}{megabudgetdefaultwrapweeks:405} weeks | Post-Production: {nobudgetdefaultpostweeks:448}{smallbudgetuserweekspost:407}{smallbudgetdefaultpostweeks:408}{lowbudgetuserweekspost:358}{lowbudgetdefaultpostweeks:410}{indiebudgetuserweekspost:362}{indiebudgetdefaultpostweeks:390}{mediumbudgetuserweekspost:365}{mediumbudgetdefaultpostweeks:394}{highbudgetuserweekspost:370}{highbudgetdefaultpostweeks:398}{studiobudgetuserweekspost:375}{studiobudgetdefaultpostweeks:400}{megabudgetuserweekspost:380}{megabudgetdefaultpostweeks:406} weeks | # of Cast: {How many Cast members would you like to budget for?:57}
Customization Points: Cast: {usercast:519} | Travel/Lodging: {usertravel:520} | Stunts: {userstunts:521} | Special Effects: {userspfx:522} | Makeup Effects: {usermufx:523} | Animals: {useranimals:524} | Visual Effects: {uservfx:525}
Email address that we are sending this budget to: {email:10}

Product Name
What file formats do you want your budget in?
Budget Format*
- Film Budgeteers Budget (Editable Excel file and PDF)
- Film Budgeteers Budget (PDF - non-editable)
- Topsheet Only (PDF ONLY)
You have selected The Film Budgeteers Budget and Topsheet – In both Excel (editable) and PDF format.
You have selected The Film Budgeteers Budget and Topsheet – PDF format only. (Non-editable)
You have selected The Film Budgeteers Topsheet Only – PDF format only. (Non-editable)

You've selected TOPSHEET ONLY. Keep in mind, it's a one-page overview only. If you need a full, detailed budget, please select one of the other options.
Total
$0.00
Click ADD TO CART to check out, or click PREVIOUS to go back and make changes.

Subtotal
Options
Total

Film Budgeteers Budget

Enter Your Details

Enter Your Budget Amount

No-Budget/DIY (Do-It-Yourself)

No-Budget/DIY (Do-It-Yourself)

Low-Budget

Indie Budget

Guild Selection

WGA (Writers Guild of America)

SAG-AFTRA

DGA (Directors Guild of America)

IATSE

TEAMSTERS

Cast

Customization (optional)

You've allocated ZERO customization points for all 7 categories.

You've allocated your customization points into only Cast.

You've allocated your customization points into only Travel & Lodging.

You've allocated your customization points into only Stunts.

You've allocated your customization points into only Special Effects.

You've allocated your customization points into only Makeup Effects.

You've allocated your customization points into only Animals.

You've allocated your customization points into only Visual Effects.

You haven't used all 10 of your customization points.

Time (optional)

No/Low-Budget Limitations

Almost done! Please confirm your selections

Almost done! Please confirm your selections

What file formats do you want your budget in?