THIS IS ASSUMING YOU DON’T HAVE MUCH MONEY…

This is only my opinion, and how I’m doing it.

Besides getting a great script to shoot, (which I wrote so that was free) the first thing you’ll want to do is talk to a DP (Director of  photography) or a Director – the person who’ll shoot it for you.  Sometimes they are both as in my case.  TBD how that works out.  How to find one of these guys/gals is a whole new post, but for now let’s imagine that you have them and you’ve agreed to work with them and now they are bringing in their peeps.  This is where the budget starts to come into play.  Lots of times you’ll be able to have someone do the budget for you, but if you don’t here are some basic things that’ll be on/in it.

CAST:  Lots of times these wonderful artists will work for free.  It is their hope (and the hope of a good creator/producer) that later on if the series gets picked up and they come back, they’ll get paid.  But at least give them a wonderful meal (not pizza) and treat them like kings and queens.

CREW:  Could be same as above, but my experience is, if you want a great, experienced crew you’re gonna have to pay for (some of) them.  A very basic crew consists of: Line Producer, AD (Assistant Director) Cinematographer/DP, Gaffer, Sound Mixer, Boom Operator, Camera operator, Camera Assistant (if your DP is also directing) Production Designer/Set Dresser/Props, Costumer/Wardrobe Person (for on set too) Make-Up Person(s) Intern Production Assistants (2-3)

EQUIPMENT/PACKAGES:  Full Camera Package, Sound Package, Lighting Rental Equipment, Grip Package, Jib-Arm (if needed)  No short cuts here, but don’t get carried away either.  Most times your DP will have his own stuff, but if you have to rent, talk to other film makers before you make the plunge to see what you need.  Remember extra batteries…

LOCATION(S):  Since I don’t have a lot of money I try to go guerrilla (shoot under cover) and rogue shots wherever/when possible – hence the name Rogue Cowgirl.  But if you have to rent a restaurant (like I did) you may be able to rent one for a few hundred bucks or at least under a thousand a day depending on what’s going to happen during the shoot (i.e. no explosions, food fights, etc.)  But as always if someone can lend you a place or if you can use your own, that is golden.  Just make sure you pay for a cleaning crew afterward.

PROPS:  The leaner the script in this area, sometimes the better.  Unless it’s candy bars, and pencils…   My script is not so lean, but I am shooting two episodes back-to-back.  One script is much leaner than the other, thank the gods.

WARDROBE:  Hopefully your actors can help you out here, but if your costumer needs stuff, let them get it (within reason.)  I have period costumes as well as modern-day clothing.  Stay tuned for how much this is going to cost.

MUSIC:  Again there are lots of starving artists out there who just want their music heard.  Start at the colleges or on the web with other series you like.

CRAFT SERVICES/CATERING:  are not the same thing.  Craft Services is what you leave on a table all day (and most of the night) for actors and crew to help themselves too.  You’d be amazed what $100 at Costco can get you.  The Catering Company you use supplies the main meal for everyone and is VERY important.  There are restaurants out there that will feed you for free (I’ve yet to find these) but you can still get a hot meal to your people for around $10 a person.  If your story has a theme (the lead is vegetarian) that can help too in maybe getting a restaurant involved.  You want people on the set saying, “Where did you get that wonderful caterer,” not going out to get their own food because it stinks.

POST:  to be discussed…

Hope this helps.  I have a meeting tomorrow to go over budget and meet with a composer.  I’ll let you know how it goes.