B U D G E T I N G E S S E N T I A L S F O R V I D E O P R O D U C T I O N A M Y D E L O U I S E @brandbuzz Presented at #NABShow15
Today Agenda 2 Setting Goals Budget Basics Budgeting Tools Savings Strategies Presenting the Budget
Introductions 3 Commercials, Features, Documentaries, Nonprofit Stories Production Co. Executive Writer/Producer/Author/Speaker Digital Storyteller
Getting in Touch 4 www.twitter.com/brandbuzz www.linked.com/in/amydelouise www.plus.google.com/+amydelouise www.vimeo.com/amydelouise Blog: AmysBrandBuzz amy@amydelouise.com www.lynda.com/amydelouise
5 DEFINING GOALS The Budget is a Story About Where You Want to Go
Define Your Goals 6 Deliverables? Future needs Style? Multi camera vs. One camera Slow vs. fast cuts Animation-driven Non-fiction or narrative Outcomes? Sell a product or service Promote an event Raise money Drive engagement Design drives budget Goals Design Budget
Concept Boards: Sell the Vision 7 Sell your concept Don t sell what you can t deliver Tie to programmatic goals and audience measures
Shooting Script 8 Blueprint Define any budget deltas (i.e. shots needed, crew or equipment required, locations needed)
Concept Pitch Resources 9 http://www.storyboardthat.com/ http://www.cinemek.com/storyboard/ www.piktochart.com https://animoto.com/ http://prezi.com/ Photoshop (obvi) Build a pool of freelance gfx designers TIP: Ad agency experience helps
Scripting Resources 10 https://story.adobe.com https://www.finaldraft.com/ Plain old MSWord templatize your own
Sign-offs: Anticipate Issues 11 Goals & Outcomes Concept Shooting Script Production Schedule Budget Define variables
12 BUDGET BASICS
13 Fixed Price vs. Time and Materials Pros and Cons
Fixed Price 14 Known quantity Move money between categories as needed Only works within fixed time period Limited variables
Time and Materials 15 May need to cap with not to exceed Little or no flexibility to move between categories Works well when no fixed time period Define variables
Budget Categories: Preproduction 16 Planning Meetings Scripting Storyboarding Location Scouting Permits Casting
Budget Categories: Production 17 People Director Producer DP Sound Engineer Gaffer Grip PA Makeup Teleprompter Operator Talent Gear Etc Camera Sound Recording Equipment Lighting Grip Truck Teleprompter Memory cards, hard drives Travel Meals
Budget Categories: Post Production 18 Editing Graphics Stock Images Stock Music TIP: Allow enough time for client/ep reviews and revisions. Build in fixed number of rounds. Narrator VO recording Hard Drive or Tape Backup Compressions
19 Sample Budgets
20 BUDGETING TOOLS
Software 21 Movie Magic (Entertainment Partners) links script with budget with schedule, and adjustments to one can be seen across all three Gorilla or Chimpanzee (Jungle) HotBudget (ReelGrok) Excel linked spreadsheet
22 SAVINGS STRATEGIES Surprising Opportunities
Add a Camera Angle 23 More options in edit Less time searching for b-roll cover Helpful in long interviews Or interviews with someone who says like or um and you will need to frankenbite
Use Transcripts 24 Skip searching in real time Options for future versions Faster edit sessions Use quotes for print, web, and other platforms
Add a Person 25 Grip or PA allows you top do multiple setups simultaneously Makeup artist allows you to focus on shot list or interview questions Teleprompter operator allows you to not keep track of script changes and retakes
Add a DSLR 26 Stills provide edit coverage Can fill in for some footage Shoot background plates for greenscreen Also BTS stills can be helpful for promos and online sharing
Other Field Tips 27 Leave time for B-roll, Poses Photo collection Make sure subject spells name, gives title, etc. Scan releases and put PDF with your audio or video files
Field Tips: Better Stories, Better Budgets 28 Plan for Transcriptions Output mp3 or wav files of audio only Fastest for locating best sound bites Highlight options for web and social platforms
Manage Your Assets 29 Consistent folder structure Metatag workflow for all photos and video Organizing by date, event or project name is not enough Make a PDF of release forms, music licenses, stock image license and keep with your primary source material Include interview transcripts
Create a Content Library 30 What to Include Photos Text Stories Video Clips Metatags/keywords built in Make it Accessible to Vendors Press Internal departments Volunteers and donors
31 PRESENTING BUDGETS Focusing on Outcomes and Results
The Budget as Story 32 Show Priorities Goals Outcomes Rather than Equipment Personnel Expenses
Presenting What s Not in the Budget 33 Create an Impact Budget Show cost-per-views Cost savings for certain outcomes Improved efficiency Increased awareness Training outcomes Define overhead offsets Value of in-sourcing vs. out-sourcing
Negotiating Tips 34 Know your BATNA Don t let short term obstacles undermine your long-term goals
35 FINAL THOUGHTS & QUESTIONS
THANK YOU! www.amydelouise.com @brandbuzz