Production Finance

Script Breakdown, Scheduling & Film Budget

Investor-ready, line-item Movie Magic film budget services that satisfy completion bond underwriters and equity financiers. Mapped to real-world labor rates, union fringes, global tax incentives, and post-production workflows.

Request Budget Estimate Detailed Specifications

Who This Is For & Problem Solved

This service is for independent film producers, directors, studios, and film funds seeking to establish a bulletproof financial ceiling for a production.

Most independent film budgets fail because they rely on broad, un-vetted flat numbers. When presenting to sophisticated equity partners or completion bond underwriters, having a "flat $15,000 for lighting" looks highly unprofessional. We build budgets from the bottom up, fully calculating above-the-line (ATL) fees, below-the-line (BTL) labor tiers, union fringes (SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, DGA, WGA), payroll fees, insurance premiums, currency risk, and completion bond charges.

What We Deliver

  • ✓ Itemized Department Accounts: Complete account codes across ATL creative fees, production labor, art department, equipment, travel, and post-production.
  • ✓ Fringe Rate Analysis: Calculations of employer-side taxes, pension, and health obligations for union and non-union labor.
  • ✓ Incentive Rebate Mapping: Integration of local regional tax rebates (Georgia, UK, Europe, Australia) directly as credit offsets.
  • ✓ Contract & Bond-Ready Files: Fully compliant budget summary and detail reports accepted by all major global completion guarantors.

The Budgeting Protocol

01
Labor & Union Diagnostics
We diagnose your project's union status (SAG Ultra Low, Moderate, Basic theatrical, or local non-union schedules) and target location rates.
02
Bottom-Up Cost Calculation
We itemize every single production day, scene requirement, and equipment rental item to form the detailed budget sheet.
03
Review & stress-testing
We run stress-tests against fuel price spikes, overtime multipliers, and exchange rates to ensure your budget has adequate contingency pads.
Detailed line-item film production budget top sheet mockup showing itemized department accounts and final totals
Specifications
$395 starting rate
Scope
Single Feature Film (Up to 120 pages)
Turnaround Time
7 to 14 Business Days
Delivery Format
Movie Magic Budgeting (.mbd), Movie Magic Scheduling (.mms), Excel, PDF
Underwriting OK
Film Finances, Front Row Insurance, DSG
Apply for Custom Quote
FAQ

Common Budgeting Inquiries

What is a film budget?

A film budget is an itemized financial plan for a film production, covering above-the-line, below-the-line, post-production, delivery, contingency, and other production costs.

What is included in a professional film budget?

A professional film budget service delivers a comprehensive, line-item top sheet and detail sheets. This includes industry-standard union fringe calculations, payroll employer taxes, geographic tax incentives, and standard contingency buffers.

What is a pilot budget?

A pilot budget is an early estimate prepared before a full script breakdown or final shooting schedule exists. It is useful for early development, investor conversations, feasibility checks, and planning, but it is not as accurate as a full itemized production budget.

What is the difference between a rough estimate and a professional itemized film budget?

A rough estimate is typically a pilot budget used for early development. A professional itemized film budget is a production-ready document built from a precise schedule and breakdown, detailing exact union rates, gear rentals, and shooting logistics.

Why does a script breakdown come before a film budget?

A breakdown is required first because locations, cast days, shoot days, stunts, extras, vehicles, props, equipment, night shoots, company moves, and post-production needs all affect cost. Without knowing these elements, an accurate budget cannot be built.

Why are script breakdown and scheduling necessary for a proper itemized film budget?

Without breakdown and scheduling, a budget can only be a broad estimate, not a production-ready budget. Scheduling dictates the number of shoot days, which directly drives payroll and equipment rental costs.

Why use Movie Magic Budgeting?

Movie Magic Budgeting provides industry-standard native file formats (.mbd) that are widely used across the industry for completion bonding, production lending, and union submissions.

Is this service for a single feature film?

Yes. Our starting price of $395 is designed for a single feature film screenplay of up to 120 pages. If you have a TV series, commercial, documentary, or a multi-project slate, please apply for a custom quote.

How long does a professional film budget take?

Standard delivery is 7 to 14 business days depending on project complexity. Rush delivery is available upon request.

What files are delivered?

You will receive Movie Magic Budgeting (.mbd) files, Movie Magic Scheduling (.mms) files, Excel formats, and PDF reports.

Do you calculate local state and federal film tax credits?

Yes. We can model specific tax incentives (such as Georgia, UK, or New Mexico film tax credits) and integrate them directly into the line-item budgeting calculations to help optimize your equity-debt ratio.

Related Services
Script Breakdown & Production Scheduling → Full Pre-Production Package → Film Financial Model & Recoupment Waterfall →