There you have it! These tips for documentary filmmaking should help your project live up to cost predictions, quality expectations and your inspirational vision. If handwritten plans and spreadsheets motivate your creative process, all the more power to you! But if you find yourself overridden with manila folders full of loose expense sheets, there is a wealth of digital budgeting templates that will help you keep track of your documentary’s expenses and funding details. #5 Use a Budgeting Template Keeping all this budgeting information in one place is essential not only for the outcome of the project but also for your peace of mind. Fortunately, if you’re well funded, these costs will come back to you in the end. The truth is that this particular cost for a full-length documentary can total hundreds of thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, when clients conduct a Google search to explore the overall cost of creating a documentary, they often find search results that don’t reflect a realistic cost when it comes to people-hours. It’s important to keep that in mind as you prepare your budget.īecause the production team can end up being one of your biggest expenses, the amount of time it takes to make a documentary can be a huge budgetary consideration. Additionally, while we love the stories our clients tell, Once Films does not fund these projects. Other necessities may include professional guidance, transportation services, post-production editing, etc. While documentaries may not need advanced special effects or CGI, quality video production equipment remains a must. Next, make sure to account for all expenses that your film requires to accurately project all budget expenses. It will also ensure that your documentary reaches completion and distribution as planned. This will help prevent unexpected costs from spending too much time in one production phase. Try creating deadlines for not only the completion of the film but also each production stage. Ultimately, documentaries are written in the editing room! #3 Establish Ideal TimelinesĮstablishing timelines is essential to keeping a documentary film within budget. You’ll want to be sure to budget for both finances and time so you can leave your editor plenty of time to tell the story you worked so hard to capture during production. Keep in mind that production is the tip of your budgetary iceberg. In addition, this method ensures each stage receives the budget requirements to maintain quality from beginning to end. This budgeting method allows for easier forecasting of necessities and funds allocation. These sections are generally considered the stages of video production, including strategy and development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution. Once you have created a film treatment, it’s beneficial to budget your documentary in sections. By communicating your project’s purpose and mission, a film treatment is an excellent resource when requesting funding from foundations, TV networks or individual donors. According to a study performed by the Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI), the main sources of funding for documentaries include foundation grants and personal finances. With this information, you’ll be able to project the necessary investments and budget needed to see your documentary to the finish. A film treatment summarizes the story that you wish to tell, including its assets, characters, scenes, and theme. #1 Know Your Storyįirst things first, create a treatment for your film. While talk of expenses can make anyone a little discouraged, planning your documentary film is made easy with these straightforward budgeting tips. 5 Budgeting Tips for Documentary Filmmaking However, depending on your hopes for the final product and the scope, creating a solid budgetary plan for your documentary remains essential. Many refer to $1000 per film minute as a general starting point for budgeting purposes. Depending on the quality, platform and length, a documentary can cost anywhere between a few thousand to billions of dollars. Video production can become a costly endeavor if not appropriately managed. Not only does a budget plan aid in the artful delivery of a documentary’s message, but it is also key to acquiring the needed funding from non-profits, crowdfunding or even grants.īut how much do documentaries typically cost? And are there ways to guarantee that your documentary stays within budget? This article will address these questions and how a professional video production company can guide you through creating the impactful documentary you envision. If you’re looking to create a documentary film, you’ll want to create a planful documentary budget to keep expenses within limits while maintaining quality throughout the production process.
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