Narrative Development: Script, Scheduling, & Budget

Narrative Development: Script, Scheduling, and Budget Breakdown

Next to the script, the schedule and the budget are the most important tools for realizing your narrative project. This 2-part workshop will teach you the principles of budgeting and scheduling, so you can prepare those very important documents for your next narrative project. 

This class is for budding producers, enterprising directors, and anyone else who wants to understand how to create a schedule and prepare a budget for a narrative project. The focus of this class will be on narrative features, however, the process is applicable to shorts and series, and tips will be given on how to handle each. In two sessions, participants will learn how to break down a script, making note of the elements that will affect the budget. Then, participants will learn how to create a budget for the script.

This course will use basic tools that are easily accessible like Office products and Google Sheets so that participants are on a level playing field. However, industry standard programs such as EP/Movie Magic and Showbiz Budgeting will be demonstrated, giving participants a glimpse into the larger landscape of budgeting and scheduling.

What You Will Learn

• How to break down and schedule a script with an eye for how that will affect your budget

• How to create a basic budget for your script

• Explore industry standard programs such as EP/Movie Magic and Showbiz Budgeting

• Learn about tools for scheduling, how to read a schedule and day out of days, and how the schedule determines the budget

• Learn about the basics of budgeting, crew rates, how to read the rate sheet, how to build and review the budget, and how to present the budget and schedule

Curriculum:

Day 1 / How to Schedule Your Narrative Production

The first class will cover how to break down a script: learn how to input information into breakdown sheets, build the schedule, and order the strips. Learn about tools for scheduling, how to read a schedule and day out of days, and how the schedule determines the budget.

Day 2 / How to Budget Your Narrative Production

The second class is all about the budget: learn about the basics of budgeting, crew rates, how to read the rate sheet, how to build and review the budget, and how to present the budget and schedule. The class will wrap by offering resources and exercises so you can continue to learn.

Materials:

Stephanie will provide the script to be broken down, the breakdown sheets, and templates for the schedule and budget in Excel and Google Sheets. The instructor will also demonstrate software such as Movie Magic Scheduling & Budgeting and Showbiz Scheduling & Budgeting. Students can keep the electronic templates following the course.

Students only need a pen and paper, but those with laptops can work within the templates during class.