Producing : Budget Estimating by Janet Mellor

My daughter's a Production Manager and she says Excel is good enough to start.

Here you go ... Excel based and free: http://mwp.mwp.com/filmschool/resources_new.php?partner=mwp&resource=bud...

This is my first time writing budget so looking for something that includes guidance....

Excellent...thank you

Janet - you say you're a screenwriter, why do you care about the nuts & bolts of a production budget? You know as you're writing a script whether it's going to be costly to produce (large cast, many locations, lots of FX, big sets...) or not.

The simplest form I use is a legal pad & a #2 lead pencil.

I'm going to package it also.

Janet - So I'm going to invest a million dollars based on a budget made by someone who asked how to make a budget in an internet lounge?

Are you pitching a logline?

Janet, Studio Binder has many templates for production too. ;)

Guys, some members are not only interested in writing movies but making them too.

The best way to help them is to remove thier illusions and delusions.

I have knowledge, company money and connections and I still need to pay a Line Producer to sign off on the budget and I'm not even seeking investors.

Just make a reasonable guess, but don't commit to any specifics or it'll come back to bite you.

“Delusions?” Well, that makes quite the assumption, does it not, Kay? It’s always kind and generous of you to share your knowledge and experience—thanks. But Janet just asked a simple question. She did not ask you to invest in her project nor anyone else in this post. She just asked for a software or template recommendation for budgeting. She also posted in a forum created specifically for such questions. First time filmmaker, maybe? Getting her ducks in a row? Perhaps she has something specific in mind? I dunno, neither do you. Answer, help, share information or not, but there’s no need to pass judgement, surely? Best to you.

Thanks, Beth. Well, given the amount of discussion my question has generated, I'm tempted to elaborate.

First time filmmaker, yes.

I did say "preliminary" and "simple".

I've got a kind of chicken and egg scenario... It's a true story about traumatic brain injury. We hope to get non-profit status for the film then seek grants and tax-deductible donations from foundations and individuals interested in promoting brain injury awareness. In order to start that process I need a simple preliminary budget in order to raise enough to pay someone to write the full budget and a production team to make the movie. I need to do as much of the work as possible in the meantime.

Not asking anyone to invest a million bucks. This movie may not make a penny. Given that it is aimed at kids and involves the bullying of a child who is disabled by a brain injury, we may make it available for free to schools. It's about the message, not the profit.

It recently placed in the top 5 of an international competition so we think it is worthy.

I'm in the information-gathering phase at the moment.

It would be nice if a pro like Kay would swoop in and say "I'd like to make that movie!" But that would indeed be delusional since I am well aware that making money is usually what this business is about.

Thanks to those who have made helpful suggestions as I am eager to learn.

If you were to delegate this out and hire a line producer, odds are they'd be using this : https://www.ep.com/home/managing-production/movie-magic-budgeting/