Hello.
I'm estimating about 10-20k for my next feature-length film (a boxing/gangster drama), some of it of spent on new video/sound equipment. I'm doing the budget right now on Excel and I'm pretty much gonna shoot and direct myself with one Camera Assistant, a PA, and a Boom Op/Sound Recordist and limited actors in several locations. I pretty much got that part down and since it's non-union and it's a really low budget digital feature, I'm pretty much the producer too... so does that mean I set the prices of everything?
I will edit the picture myself on Final Cut Pro, but I have some real lack of knowledge on how sound post production and VFX post production works. Also, there are some other things I am clueless about. Here's what I assume I need and I do not know the cheapest going rate for these job titles or if I even need them considering the small budget...?
Post-Production:
1) Sound/Dialog editor -- $ ??
2) Sound Mixer -- $??
3) ADR -- $??
4) Foley Artist -- $??
5) After Effects VFX Artist (gunshots, explosions, gunshot hits, fire, smoke/fog, etc)
5) Composer (if I'm not using an actual band) -- $??
Production:
1) Make-Up Artist (There will be blood [
] and boxing bruises) -- $ ??
2) Permits? If I need one, how much would they cost in a major city like SF?
3) Actors -- some of the cast will be either friends or student actors I worked with before in no-budget work. But I genuinely wanna hire legit actors for this one too from various sources -- excluding union sources. I've heard $100 day is what's generally done, but that seems kinda steep for someone like me... what do you recommend?
Insurance:
1) Errors and Omission? $ - ??
2) General Liability? $ -- ??
That's all the ones I'm stuck on. Sorry if it's a lot, but I've never done a budget for my films. I've only done no-budget stuff and worked on someone else's low budget film.
My intention -- business-wise -- is to sell the movie to a distributor once it's polished. Many films that cost as much or even lower has done well and that only injects confidence in my project. So I would love to plan this out correctly. Thank you.
I'm estimating about 10-20k for my next feature-length film (a boxing/gangster drama), some of it of spent on new video/sound equipment. I'm doing the budget right now on Excel and I'm pretty much gonna shoot and direct myself with one Camera Assistant, a PA, and a Boom Op/Sound Recordist and limited actors in several locations. I pretty much got that part down and since it's non-union and it's a really low budget digital feature, I'm pretty much the producer too... so does that mean I set the prices of everything?
I will edit the picture myself on Final Cut Pro, but I have some real lack of knowledge on how sound post production and VFX post production works. Also, there are some other things I am clueless about. Here's what I assume I need and I do not know the cheapest going rate for these job titles or if I even need them considering the small budget...?
Post-Production:
1) Sound/Dialog editor -- $ ??
2) Sound Mixer -- $??
3) ADR -- $??
4) Foley Artist -- $??
5) After Effects VFX Artist (gunshots, explosions, gunshot hits, fire, smoke/fog, etc)
5) Composer (if I'm not using an actual band) -- $??
Production:
1) Make-Up Artist (There will be blood [
] and boxing bruises) -- $ ??2) Permits? If I need one, how much would they cost in a major city like SF?
3) Actors -- some of the cast will be either friends or student actors I worked with before in no-budget work. But I genuinely wanna hire legit actors for this one too from various sources -- excluding union sources. I've heard $100 day is what's generally done, but that seems kinda steep for someone like me... what do you recommend?
Insurance:
1) Errors and Omission? $ - ??
2) General Liability? $ -- ??
That's all the ones I'm stuck on. Sorry if it's a lot, but I've never done a budget for my films. I've only done no-budget stuff and worked on someone else's low budget film.
My intention -- business-wise -- is to sell the movie to a distributor once it's polished. Many films that cost as much or even lower has done well and that only injects confidence in my project. So I would love to plan this out correctly. Thank you.
Last edited:
I'm glad you're willing to consider me. When it comes time, I'm willing to discuss a flat rate rather than an hourly rate to do both the VFX and the Sound work. That way, you get off more affordably and I'll be able to get what I need in terms of compensation. Win/Win (WINNING!)
