How much precent of a budget should go to the DP and PSMs needs?

[harmonica44]

I haven't figured out a budget yet but lets say I have scene I want shot a certain way with a certain look. The DP says he does not have the specific equipment to do the scene that particular way, and will need more money to get the stuff.

Same with the PSM, who perhaps may need certain equipment as well for certain unideal sound conditions in a location.

I haven't figured out the budget yet, but how much percent of a budget should be put towards them, and what they need, if they need more money to achieve something less common that they don't have the stuff for?

 

[ChimpPhobiaFilms]

However much they need to get the job done (a.k.a. how much money the director wants to give them).

 

[Sweetie]

how much percent of a budget should be put towards them

Another "how long is a piece of string" question?

If that is all you're spending money on, then 100%. If you have a significant budget for other items, then it'll be less. Running a tentpole feature, it's a tiny fraction.

I see a pattern when you're asking questions: You want to know answers to questions that the answers are usually "It depends on the situation". The quality of the answers you seek will depend on the quality of your questions. Your questions need work. Filmmaking is going to stand up and kick you in the nuts if you continue to ask the wrong questions. There are going to be many people who will take advantage of you and pocket your money for nothing in return if you remain ignorant.

 

[ChimpPhobiaFilms]

Filmmaking is going to stand up and kick you in the nuts.

As long as it's not me, I'm a O.K. with it!

 

[JoshL]

All the money should go to the composer! MWAHAHAHA!

Seriously though, spend money as frugally as you can, try to get the most bang for your buck and FINISH A DAMN SHORT. You'll learn more by saying "this is the end/this is done" than you will by a thousand questions.

 

[AudioPostExpert]

I haven't figured out a budget yet but lets say I have scene I want shot a certain way with a certain look.

A certain way/look for what? What are you making and what are you making it for? ...

Same with the PSM, who perhaps may need certain equipment as well for certain unideal sound conditions in a location.

Again, it completely depends on what you are making and what you are making it for. For example, if you are making something for theatrical screening/release you might actually cut the PSM budget because it might not be possible to record theatrical quality sound regardless of the PSM's equipment, instead you might need to increase the ADR budget.

As Sweetie has said and as I have told you in the past, you often seem to be looking for answers which reduce making films to a simple set of rules. There are lots and lots of rules, pretty much all of them can be broken down into far more complex sets of rules and exceptions and pretty much all of them vary considerably from situation to situation depending on what you are making and what you want to achieve.

Your question is like asking "how much will it cost to make/replace an engine for my car?". No one can answer this question, instead they will reply with a whole bunch of questions, the first one being; "what make/model is your car?". It's obviously going to cost way more to make/replace an engine for a Lamborghini than it is for a Ford Focus. This is basic common sense, in fact it would be pretty stupid to even ask the original question without supplying a considerable amount of information which allows meaningful answers to be given. Why do you think making a film should be so fundamentally different from making a car or anything else?

G

 

[knightly]

The DP has a day rate (it's a fixed cost). Figure out the number of pages per day you're shooting (we shoot for 5/day), then multiply his cost by that number... that's your DP budget. You then say how the scene will look and he says what equipment he'll need to shoot it, and you rent the stuff he doesn't own... if he wants to own it, deduct that from his day rate and he keeps the gear you buy for the production after it's over (I've worked this way to build up most of my kit).

My day rate includes making things to get images if necessary, it's part of the job... I put in a 12 hour day no matter way... more than 12, I have overtime at 1.5 in 2 hour segments. My day rate is $350. ~$30/hr.