Film Directors – Direct the Money Before the Money Directs You

“Most Film Directors have elected to stay away from film budgets and production costs. The heavy grinding SHOULD be left to accountants – but, let’s lay it on the table:

The Film Director is at the helm of a big money-burning machine. It is the Film Director’s job to produce his/her vision of the script – on time and on budget. At his service is a team of film production experts (the Line Producer, Unit Production Manager, the AD team, Production Accountant, etc.) all there to assist the Film Director to do just that.

Film Directors make it their business to understand the basic functions of on-set filmmaking, without being able to fully light a set, or operate a crane, or focus a steadicam. In the same spirit, the Film Director must understand the basics of Budgeting and the extremely important Weekly Cost Reporting process. Every creative decision involves money. It’s only good sense to learn to translate creative ideas into costs.

Experienced Directors know of The Weekly Cost Report. If you’re not yet familiar with it, let me introduce it to you…”

Read this article from John Gaskin.

Tagged as: direct the money, film directors