Producer and Director how-to

How to Build a Production Budget

Budgets decide what’s possible.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Budgets decide what’s possible. In short: break; estimate; price, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Break down the script.

  2. Estimate days.

  3. Price cast and crew.

  4. Price equipment and locations.

  5. Add contingency.

  6. Review.

Safety reminders for producer and directors

  • Follow set safety rules
  • Plan stunts with experts
  • Manage crew fatigue
  • Follow location permits

Pre-production · Production · Post-production · Call sheet · Shot list · Blocking: see the full producer and director glossary.

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