Make Your Movie

Chapter 15

Decisions, Decisions

When a company has a script and is thinking about beginning production, the first order of business is almost always a discussion of cost—as in, how much do the investors want to spend, and how much will it cost to make the film they want to make. The script is given to a Unit Production Manager, with the expectation that in about a week that person will generate a realistic, well-considered budget. The person creating this “first pass” budget is working with very little information. The producer or production company may tell the UPM that there is a deal in place with Actor A for X amount of dollars, Director A for Y amount of dollars, and the screenwriter has been paid Z. There will be a tentative start date ...