ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 4 months ago - Dan Selakovich

HAhaha! Paddy, you've just described what I call the "Orchestra Rehearsal" budget. "Orchestra Rehearsal" was a fake documentary by Fellini. As he interviewed each section, each player thought his instrument was the MOST IMPORTANT in the orchestra. As you rightly point out, in the end, it's all about balance.

Don't get too upset, Juliet. I've worked on several films for completion bond companies. The post budget was ALWAYS screwed up--by really seasoned producers. Post is like a mystery magic land. "Only 5 days for a mix? Really?"

Then you have producers who really like that couch in the main character's living room, so he tells the art department to order two. But those are big budget problems.

You rightly point out that inexperienced filmmakers would rather front load everything into that swell location than tweaking the script to budgetary concerns. They don't know they'll have shitty sound because they don't know that 3 lavs and a boom are what's needed for that scene, and not a mic from the cheapest place on the internet. Producers, especially inexperienced ones, need to talk to department heads first before spending a dime. Even if it means buying some experienced department head lunch in exchange for picking their brain. You'd be surprised at how many big timers agree to this.

More than anything, as Paddy points out, is telling the camera dept and director "no" (don't get mad, just an example), or finding cheaper alternatives that work just as well than the bright new shiny toy they all want. Or ask the question "why is it you need six electricians? It's two characters and a tea cup." Maybe they'll have a perfectly reasonable answer. Maybe they won't.

10 years, 4 months ago - Juliet Plumptre

Thanks for the comment Paddy…Didnt mean to sound like i was moaning lol….i am sure its a hard job balancing the books of money and making sure thing are fair. Two posts on different sites have aske for sound with equipment and in their add they have said they have spent all their money on other equipment/lovely locations etc etc it just at times seems a little unfair….but hay!!! :)

10 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Oh I assure you I understand Juliet!! You're right that it's frustrating to see posts like that as it shows the budget is unbalanced by someone not understanding the bigger picture :-)

10 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Ha! Yes! The poor, underappreciated line/producer's job (apart from every other job) is to balance a budget (not just the books).

Which is the most important department? All of them, especially if you ask department heads (when theirs is). With finite money, you have to play off that set of lenses against catering against art against vfx against...

Film is a visual medium, the reason people are in a cinema is to *see* Brad Pitt. If he was in rags, spoke muffled, and performing on an empty stage, people would still pay to see him. Unfair as it sounds, that's why camera department often gets disproportionate attention, I guess. Directors think in terms of visuals and a string of shots, and insecurity makes them believe they need the latest, most expensive kit to do it with.

Everyone wants to put the newest toys on their CV, and wants you to pay for it. Art dept want their CV looking pretty, soundies wasn't too be recognised for good, crisp, sensitive audio, everyone wants more, better hot meals than budgeted, the list is endless. Every pound could be spent twenty times over, every decision has to be considered, everyone has to compromise. That fancy lamp costs 20 hot dinners per day. Crane shot costs you three runners for a week. Department heads showboating their power against production to underlings is a real challenge. It's an impossible task, and everyone becomes silo'd in their departments needs but only see the result of decisions, not the processes and compromises and promises made asking the line to get them.

Line producers want to make a balanced film, crisp, bright, pretty, well fed, happy crew, 6 hours a day, 4 days a week, but CANNOT. There is no ideal budget, there is no perfect balance. Each project poses it's own problems, and is always out of balance one way or another.

My suggestion is to be firm about what you can do and for his much, and to give actuate costings for kit, all upfront. During the budgeting is when costs get committed. Nobody wants to 'short' one department at the expense of others, but you may get inaccurate estimates if people don't know better -so help them know better.

Sorry if this ends up slightly incoherent, I'm typing on a phone with poor reception, but you might get my gist :). Short version - balance your budgets, even though it's an impossible task. If you need production money spending, be clear about how much and what for, don't assume the producer knows your job well enough to predict accurately :)