I'm desperate to find a Line Producer (I was told that's what the title is called) to evaluate and tell me how much my TV Pilot would cost to produce.
Unfortunately, I'm very low in funds. Therefore, I can't afford to pay much.
Does anybody have a suggestion?
Thank you.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Liviu "Livio" Ghemis
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Check your local film commission, look for line producers, UPMs, First ADs, Accountants as they can also do budgets. You'll need to have a schedule done first, and then a budget. Plan on $1,500 - $3,000 for the schedule and budget.
Welcome to Stage 32 Liviu - line producer for tv pilot - what genre? Horror is less expensive and sci fi with heavy sfx can be more costly ...so to help you narrow your search for the line producer for your tv pilot, perhaps start by narrowing the genre of producers! Good lu ck and have fun!
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It's a drama/sci-fi - but very sci-fi side is very light. I got a 'consider' from Industrial Scripts and a 'between low and medium' budget estimation. Also, from WeSceenplay I got an estimation of a low budget for my Pilot.
Only, I have no idea what a 'low budget' means to them.
Thank you for your reply.
You should learn how to do a basic budget so you'll have something. I learned how to produce a pitch deck. I did a few for people I knew to practice and then made one for a show I created. Sometimes you have to wear many hats to get your project off the ground.
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Why do you need to know?
Liviu, you can try finding collaborators under “Jobs” on the top menu bar, where you can search by profession, location, and pay. Good luck with your project.
Christiane Lange
I found a couple of different sources that would be interested in financing it. Only, they asked me how much would it cost to produce my TV Pilot. I had to tell them that... - I have no idea. Because... I have no idea.
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Dane Johnson
Thank you, Dane. Unfortunately, they keep askiing for an arm and a leg for it.
I can't really afford at that price.
Hi Liviu Ghemis - How fantastic that you have interested funders for your film! I suggest you check out this webinar on how to create your own film budget >> https://www.stage32.com/webinars/How-To-Prepare-A-Film-Budget
You'll have access to the webinar for a year, so you can continue to reference it. And I would be careful telling potential funders that you have "no idea" - it's not a confident statement, and you always want to put your best foot forward with them. If you find yourself in that situation again, I would say, "it's in progress" and then follow-up with them when you have figured it out.
You can absolutely do this!
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Professionals need to earn a living for their work and it is time consuming to create a breakdown. If you don't have the budget for it, consider learning to breakdown on your own or posting a job 'opportunity' for free. Remember, nobody is as passionate about your project as you. Best wishes with your project!
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@Stephen Folker preach it brother. Film producing is a business and people need to understand that.
Yes sir, it is! That's not to say I haven't done pro-bono projects and asked others to do the same, but the difference is, their friends, and we are doing something for the fun of it!
Either way - I hope anyone who is going after their dreams succeeds! Just look at it for what it is! A business!
Shellie Schmals
Thank you.
Stephen Folker
I have nothing against people earning a living in any field. My problem is that I can't afford to pay the amount they are asking for.
Thank you for your advice, though.
Shadow Dragu-Mihai
Who said that film producing is NOT a business?
There was no reason for sarcasm or insults. It wasn't called for.
As I've already said in a few other replies - My only problem is that I cannot afford to pay for their services.
I hope, being poor... is still, not a crime.
Stephen Folker
I hope I'll find a 'sinner' that still does some 'pro-bono' work. I'm even willing to pay him/her with an arrangement on some future modality.
Anyway, thank you for the reply.
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Liviu Ghemis There's nothing insulting here, it's just a fact of life. I don't see what you make a living at on your profile, but if I asked you to come do it for 3-5 days for free instead of going to work, you might be annoyed. Somehow, people think that in the film industry they should be given free services. Well I want a new Tesla and can't afford it - should a Tesla dealer just give me one "pro bono"? "Pro Bono" means "for the good" and implies that there is some societal reason for doing the work. It is, by definition, charity. Your project is a commercial matter, by definition, or a personal artistic matter, by definition. It is not a charitable matter. No one should be asked to work for free. If you aspire to be a producer for real, you need to value other people's time and expertise and when you can't afford to pay cash for something you need to figure out what other value you can trade for it, or how to do it yourself.
Charlton Heston put it like this: “The trouble with movies as a business is that it's an art, and the trouble with movies as art is that it's a business.”
If your adjusted gross income on your IRS 1040 Income Tax Return is “near” the federal poverty guidelines, you might qualify for pro bono or modest means programs for artists including filmmakers. Many states have Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts programs that are funded through donations, and many skilled entertainment attorneys contribute countless hours to advise pro bono clients through them. In New York, for example, check out https://vlany.org/.
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I work for beer, I'm to old to work for sex. I'll gladly work for free except for those who expect/demand me to.
Liviu Ghemis - I'd reach out to a film school with eager students willing to put in probono work or post under Job Opportunity a free gig, or read some books and self teach yourself. No matter which way you go - I sincerely hope it pans out! We all have to start somewhere! Just be realistic with goals! Short films are a great start too!! :)
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Great suggestions Stephen Folker!
Shadow Dragu-Mihai
I assume you've only read the comments, without reading my posting. Otherwise you'd have seen... - "Unfortunately, I'm very low on funds. Therefore, I can't afford to pay much"... - which implies, that... - I wasn't looking for a handout, but for a cheaper way to solve my dilemma.
Not only that I'm not rich, but... for a reason I won't specify here, I've been out of work for almost three years. As I've said before... - I hope being poor... is not a crime, yet.
If I would've begged for someone to do it for free, then... yes, maybe you'd have had the right to a vitriolic reply.
But, as I've already said... - it wasn't called for.
Dane Johnson
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Doug Nelson
Cheers! Best wishes. And... stay young.
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Stephen Folker
Thank you for your suggestions. Much appreciated.
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Liviu Ghemis Sorry you feel straight talk is insulting. I don't mince words often, most other producers I speak to prefer not to beat around the bush. No one implied that "being poor" is a "crime" but clearly if you can't afford to pay for services, as others have pointed out, you need to figure it out for yourself. There's no other way. If there is another way, tell everyone because you found some golden path. That 's a fact of life in the film industry, as it is in every industry.
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From the outside, it seems you're stressing over bs from script service businesses, and spending $$ to produce a spec budget for a spec tv pilot is a waste of money and time.
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Hi Liviu Ghemis - as a producer, I find that having a budget and schedule are imperative to gaining an understanding of any project's needs and ambition and to help you see where you can save money, not just spend it. If your plan is to sell your project to a major studio or streamer they will handle all budgeting and production planning. If you have any independent aspirations or want to have a sense of your budget range as it may inform ways to motivate your project forward, or place to take it, I think it's always a smart idea to generate a budget. I don't know many line producers who work for free but there is an upcoming class here taught by a terrific line producer that may help you craft your own budget and plan. It's just a suggestion but sharing the link here in case you want to check it out: https://www.stage32.com/classes/The-4-Critical-Steps-to-Making-and-Manag...
lets make a movie what's the script? if it's possible if its easy it could be done... it's hard to just say that tho