Planning the Low-Budget Film

by Robert Latham Brown

Overview

The second edition of this now-classic, step-by-step blueprint for aspiring and novice filmmakers draws upon more than 30 years of experience from an industry professional. The book examines how to identify and break down shooting sequences in scripts, scout locations, create a production board and shooting schedule, deal with unions, budget a film, and rebound when it all goes wrong. Along the way, readers learn how to economize to get the most value from limited funds and what to look for in a prospective crew. To facilitate understanding of the concepts, a real-life example of a complete budget and production board for an independent low-budget feature film, The Anarchist Cookbook, is provided. The guide’s sources of supply and information—film commissions in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and England; payroll companies; and vendors of supplies, along with a directory of unions and guides, have been updated and expanded.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780976817840
Publisher:	Chalk Hill Books
Publication date:	08/01/2013
Edition description:	Second Edition, Second edition
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Robert Latham Brown is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and a contributing author to Indie Slate Magazine. His credits include producer, executive producer, production manager, and second-unit director on films such as The Blues Brothers; Child's Play and two of its sequels; Hollow Man; Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom; The Parent Trap; Robin Hood: Men in Tights; S.W.A.T.; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi; and Starship Troopers. He lives in Woodland Hills, California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xi

Part I The Basics

1 Money 3

2 The Script 7

Part II The Schedule

3 The Shooting Sequence 17

4 The Production Board 35

5 Lining the Script 39

6 The Script Breakdown 53

7 Scheduling the Board 77

8 Locations 89

9 The Day-Out-Of-Days 105

10 The Published Schedule 117

11 Unions 123

Part III The Budget

12 An Overview 129

13 The Top Sheet 135

14 Methods of Entry 143

15 Above-the-Line 149

16 The Shooting Period 181

17 Post Production 271

18 Other Expense 301

19 Tracking the Film's Progress 311

20 That's a Wrap 327

Part IV Appendix

IATSE Tier 1 Low-Budget Wage Chart 333

The Anarchist Cookbook Budget 335

Shooting the Locket Sequence in Robin Hood: Men In Tights 351

Sources of Supply and Information 353

Glossary 363

Works Cited 371

Index 372

Editorial Reviews

“I’ve always called Bob Brown, ‘Mr. On-Budget.’ On all the movies he worked on with me, he never failed to bring a film in on time and on budget. This book is a must read for anybody who is even thinking of producing a film!”  —Mel Brooks


“This comprehensive book is not just about low-budget productions. It can apply to films of any sized budget. It not only gives you a practical way to make a movie, but also tells you how to deal with the personalities. I wish all film schools used it.”  —Gary Martin, president of production, Columbia/Tristar Motion Picture Group

“You will make a better movie for less money using this book. Robert Brown has written the ultimate guide to budgeting and scheduling the low-budget movie."  —Bruce Block, producer, Something’s Gotta Give

“[This book] will get you off to the right start. It is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to make a movie; essential for students and professionals alike."  —Brenda Goodman, head of the production track, USC School of Cinematic Arts

“This is THE guide to budgeting and scheduling a low budget film."  —James MacGregor, Netribution

From the Publisher

A spate of insider-written books about the practical aspects of making movies has been published during the past few years. All are replete with advice to the would-be filmmaker; one of the most recent, On Film-making: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director, distills the wisdom of the late director Alexander Mackendrick. Brown (cinema & television, Univ. of Southern California) brings 30 years of experience in the motion-picture business to an exceptionally detailed manual on making "low-budget" films (so-called because only in Hollywood would $5 million be so described). Among the topics minutely covered are readying the raw script for shooting; the actual process of shooting, including scheduling the sequence of scenes and locations; and, of course, budgeting. Useful appendixes include an extensively detailed budget of an actual movie, and practical information is provided for completion bond companies, state film commissions, and film guilds and unions. Illustrations complement the text throughout. Recommended for cinema schools and large cinema collections.-Roy Liebman, Los Angeles P.L. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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