Learn from Michael Wormser, award-winning Line Producer and Co-Founder of Cinemand Films, with credits across Netflix, Legendary, and Hulu!

Get your Sample Production Budget Handout and master real-world budgeting skills used by top industry professionals!

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.

Managing a film budget is one of the most important — and often misunderstood — responsibilities on any production. As a line producer, you’re not just crunching numbers; you’re translating a creative vision into a practical, financially executable plan. From pre-production through post, your ability to manage costs while supporting the director’s vision determines not only whether your project stays on track, but whether it actually gets finished. In this interactive webinar, you’ll learn how to think like a line producer who can balance the art and the math — so every dollar spent shows up on screen!

Many creatives assume that once the budget is approved, their financial work is done — but that’s where your job truly begins. Actualizing a budget means tracking real-world expenses day by day, anticipating overages before they happen, and constantly re-evaluating line items to stay within your limits. You’ll learn why budgeting on a 12-hour crew guarantee matters, how to build trust with department heads through transparency, and when to strategically use contingency funds to protect your post costs. Whether you’re working on a small indie or a studio feature, managing your budget with discipline, honesty, and flexibility can make you the kind of producer everyone wants to work with again.

Leading this session is Michael Wormser, a “Go-To Producer” recognized by Produced By Magazine and co-founder of Cinemand Films. Michael has produced over 70 projects across film, TV, and digital platforms for major studios like Legendary, Lakeshore Entertainment, Netflix, Hulu, and Fox. His credits include The Real Bros of Simi Valley, The Thinning series, Funny Story, and Smiley. With experience as the former Head of Production for Maker Studios — where he scaled viewership from 40 million to 250 million monthly — Michael knows exactly what it takes to make a production financially efficient without sacrificing creativity.

In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll gain a complete roadmap for managing your production budget from prep through post. You’ll learn how to transition from estimates to actuals, build fair rate structures, collaborate effectively with department heads, and reallocate funds strategically when the unexpected happens. Plus, you’ll walk away with a sample production budget handout you can use on your next project. By the end, you’ll not only understand the mechanics of budgeting — you’ll know how to make every dollar serve your story.

PLUS! You Will Receive:

• Sample Production Budget

Praise For Michael's Teaching on Stage 32:

"I really needed something to level up my filmmaking and producing game and learning from Michael was just the right thing. he's super knowledgeable, cares about his students, and wants everyone to succeed in their endeavors!" -- Logan F.

"I'm so glad I got to work with Michael. I thought I knew everything there was before making my first film but boy was I wrong. He really helped me get my production in shape before we started shooting. Thank you!" -- Caroline R.

Getting Started – Prep

• From Estimate to Actuals: How to transition from a projected budget to real-world costs

• Smart Estimating: Why padding key departments can save you later

• Crew Budgeting Basics: Why you should always budget on a 12-hour guarantee

• Payroll Management: Why using a payroll company is essential at every budget level

• Post-Planning: How to lock in post deals early in prep to protect your finish

Working with Departments

• Transparency & Collaboration: How to work with department heads to find creative, cost-effective solutions

• Building Trust: The importance of upfront conversations and managing expectations early, especially regarding the cost of making the project

• Most Favored Nations: Creating fair, consistent rate structures for union and non-union crews

In Production

• Balancing Line Items: When to reallocate savings from one department to another

• Contingency Management: When (and when not) to touch your contingency

• Strategic Reallocation: Using underage and contingency to support post costs (music, VFX, color, sound)

• The Art of Staying Flexible: How collaborative budgeting can actually improve your film creatively

Q&A With Michael

Praise For Michael's Teaching on Stage 32:

"I really needed something to level up my filmmaking and producing game and learning from Michael was just the right thing. he's super knowledgeable, cares about his students, and wants everyone to succeed in their endeavors!" -- Logan F.

"I'm so glad I got to work with Michael. I thought I knew everything there was before making my first film but boy was I wrong. He really helped me get my production in shape before we started shooting. Thank you!" -- Caroline R.