4-Part On-Demand Class with In-Depth Instruction on a Film's Line Producing & Budgeting Process

Get over 20 downloadable documents including budget, schedule and expense report templates and SAG MPA Rate Sheets!

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

You have the script. You have the director. You have an idea for the cast. Now, how do you bring it all together and make your project a reality? 

Further, how do you make your film in a way that matches your creative vision while not going over time or budget?

The line producer oversees your film's money before you even have a penny as they build out the budget used to help sell your project to financiers. They also ensure the money you have is spent in the most responsible way so that you achieve the film you desire. That includes hiring the crew, creating the production schedule, and managing funds throughout the production.

It seems like a lot, but we’re here to simplify the process for you. 

Jess Weiss is an international line producer, film producer, and member of the Producer's Guild of America. She’s a master of budgeting and finding creative ways to make a project happen.

Jess has produced projects for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Paramount+, Showtime, and more, throughout the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Her films have been selected for international festivals worldwide, with recent screenings at Tribeca, SXSW, and Camerimage.

Jess will show you the tips and tricks she’s learned from over 10 years of production experience. By the end of this class, you’ll have the tools you need to make and manage your film's finances until your project is complete on time and on budget. 

PLUS! as an added bonus - you'll get these downloads:

• Breakdown & Oneliner Template
• Breakdown Sheet Template
• Daily Pre-Production Schedule Template
• Budget Template
• SAG LBA Rate Sheet
• SAG Low Budget Theatrical Agreement
• EP Paymaster
• IATSE Low Budget Agreement
• SAG MPA Rate Sheet
• SAG MPA Sample
• Expense Report Clean
• W9
• Petty Cash In Out Form
• Petty Cash Request
• Per Diem Template
• Petty Cash Envelope Template
• Purchase Order Template
• and more!

"It's a huge responsibility and rewarding, getting people back to work and getting their paychecks again, and being able to actually lessen their anxiety and have people tell me that they feel safe because I’m there." -- Jess Weiss

Session 1 – Breaking down your Script

Here we will learn and analyze all relevant components for a scene. Who are the characters? Where are we? Any relevant continuity points? What day in the script are we? How long is the scene?

• What is a script breakdown?
• Why is it relevant to your budget?
• Common red flags?
• How to read what is not on the page?
• Continuity Tips

Q&A with Jess

Assignment 1: Breakdown a Script

Handouts:

• Script (w/ FDX file) for breakdown
• Breakdown Template

Session 2 – Creating the Schedule

Now that you have your script broken down, we will organize those scenes into a schedule from a budget and continuity perspective.

• How to Organize your Schedule
• Creative Conversations with your Director
• Essential Continuity Considerations
• Cast Availability Considerations
• What you know vs. what you don’t know yet

Q&A with Jess

Assignment: Schedule your film

Handouts:

• Schedule Template

Session 3 – Make Your Own Budget

Let’s get started with numbers. What are the essential questions you need to answer to assess your film.

• What’s your budget scale?
• Any union regulations to keep in mind?
• Where are you filming (Country, State, City), and what are their rules?
• How to apply Globals?
• How to apply Fringes?
• Above-the-Line Considerations
• What you know vs what you don’t know yet

Q&A with Jess

Assignment: Budget your film

Handouts:

• Budget Template

Session 4 – Cost Report & Managing Your Actuals

Your budget is now greenlit and you’re entering pre-production! How do you manage your expenses and keep track of your actuals?

• What are Purchase Orders?
• PCard vs. Petty Cash Management
• Payroll vs. Invoices
• Cashflow Thresholds
• How to keep track of your expenses?
• Tax Credit Considerations
• Working with and without an accountant

Q&A with Jess

Assignment: Create a Cashflow Schedule

Handouts:

• Expense Report Template

This class is now available on-demand and we highly recommend doing the assignments between each session to get the most out of the educational experience. 

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

All levels of producers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to gain knowledge in scheduling, budgeting and cost reporting for a project.

All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to gain knowledge in scheduling, budgeting and cost reporting for a project.

All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to gain knowledge in scheduling, budgeting and cost reporting for a project.

Actors looking to gain knowledge in scheduling, budgeting and cost reporting for a project.