Budget of Short Films

For filmmakers to carefully plan a production they need a budget. Budgeting is the process by which a producer prepares a budget for the production of a film. Through this, a document is produced to secure financing for and lead to pre-production and production of a film. Budgets are typically separated into four sections: creative talent (above the line), direct production costs (below the line), editing and visual effects, etc. (post-production), and other things like insurance and completion bonds. The financing of a film can be acquired from; a private investor, sponsor, product placement, film studio, entertainment company, or personal funds. The amount of the budget illustrates the gross budget when reporting the budget of a film. This is the grand total of actual spending to produce the media project.

Short filmmakers typically have low budgets as they usually work independently, so budgeting is a crucial factor in the success of their media products. Filmmakers have to consider the amount of money they need for:

• Equipment (i.e. camera, dolly, crane, drone, microphone, stabilizer mounts, tripod etc.)
• Lighting
• Renting a location,
• Costumes and makeup
• Props
• Hiring actors
• Hiring editors (most often the filmmaker does this themselves)
• Sound and music specialists
• Editing software

Some filmmakers make short films without spending any money at all as they are already equipped with these elements that make up a production. Those who aren't this fortunate on the other hand may spend up to £10,000, not even buying but hiring high-quality equipment from other institutions/organisations. They would also put this money towards the rest of the factors listed above.

Filmmakers who spend more than this are those who produce their short films on a large scale.

Regarding the production of my short film, I have camera equipment and a location available to me, as well as actresses who will work for free. I also have a high-level of knowledge on music and sound as I am a musician studying music in film and have royalty-free music available to me. I will be using a free online editing website (WeVideo) to piece my short film together. Here is a table I made in Microsoft Excel displaying the budgeting that I would have to carry out as a professional filmmaker, had I not have had these factors available to me.

Therefore, if I were to produce my short film independently, I would need a budget of £9,000.