Film Budgeting

Budgeting Your Film or Television Series

Seasoned producers understand the critical importance of accurately determining the true cost of a film or television series before closing financing. Relying solely on complimentary budgets from service providers, or commissioning inexpensive “ballpark” estimates from accountants, often leads to serious financial exposure. Cost-cutting at the budgeting stage can result in substantial and avoidable overruns during production.

PCP specialises in the preparation of professional production budgets in selected territories. Budgets are delivered in Movie Magic Budgeting (MMB) format and, where applicable, include full calculations of local tax incentives or rebates.

Our fees for budgeting services are determined by the scale and complexity of the production, the level of detail required (e.g. preliminary estimates versus fully detailed budgets), and whether a script breakdown and production schedule have already been prepared.

Budgeting Your Commercial

Producers preparing commercial bids may, subject to timing and availability, receive a one-page ballpark budget from PCP. For more complex treatments or detailed boards, a nominal fee may apply; this fee is fully refundable upon execution of a Production Services Agreement (PSA).

Courses

PCP periodically delivers expert-led budgeting courses, including tutorials in Movie Magic Budgeting 10. All courses are taught by PCP’s founder, Malcolm Scerri Ferrante, an Entertainment Partners–recognised instructor. Entertainment Partners is the owner of the world’s leading production budgeting software.

Accredited educational institutions may qualify for discounted software licences for course participants. Courses are conducted in person and typically run over one or two weekends, depending on participants’ experience levels.

In addition, PCP occasionally organises intensive 60-hour courses in Film Production Management, delivered over several weeks.

For information on upcoming courses or to arrange short- or long-format training in your country, please contact us.