From the spark of an initial idea to the final screen presentation, the world of audiovisual production is vast and complex! And if you’re part of the industry, you know better than anyone: it’s no small feat.
Developing the script, assembling actors, managing the Hair, Makeup, and Costumes (HMC), shooting various scenes—sometimes across the globe, which means arranging for flights, accommodations, and meals… Not to mention the entire post-production process!
In short, you know that before the first camera even starts rolling, you must go through a tedious but crucial step: the audiovisual budget.
Want to make sure you don’t forget anything in your budget? Here are all our tips for perfect AV budgets—with a bonus secret weapon for easy budget management! 💰
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AV productions vary widely—from Hollywood blockbusters to small independent films and everything in between.
This diversity means planning might include arranging logistics for shoots across different states or even outsourcing some of the post-production work overseas.
But for larger-scale audiovisual projects, we can identify four main phases that will help us structure our budget: pre-production, production, post-production, and marketing.
Pre-production is a fundamental stage of any project, where all critical decisions are made—decisions that will impact everything that follows.
Pre-production itself includes several steps to account for in your budget, including:
💡 Tip: During pre-production, if your audiovisual project involves managing a significant filming crew, don’t forget to conduct a breakdown!
By decomposing your script into tangible, plannable elements (all scenes, actor needs, sets, costumes, and all other day-by-day necessities), you can more easily anticipate logistical and technical needs – and thus, financial ones.
This ensures that the project runs smoothly and stays within the initial budget.
Production, or filming, is the most visible and often the most costly phase of audiovisual production and thus requires careful management.
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Plan, manage, produce – durably
After filming, post-production shapes your project to be presentation-ready. This phase also requires detailed cost reflection to prepare a comprehensive audiovisual budget.
Finally, once your audiovisual project is complete, a marketing strategy is necessary to ensure it reaches its audience; this budget will be part of your overall cost tracking.
By listing all these elements in your audiovisual budget, you should have a comprehensive view of your production and be able to manage your costs effectively. A long yet non-exhaustive list that illustrates how some production budgets can span dozens of pages… 📖
Remember, though, that every project is unique, and so are its needs! Think through every detail to avoid surprises.
Now that your budget is ready and all your costs are well budgeted, it’s time to step up to optimal budget management!
TheGreenShot platform offers powerful tools for complete financial control of your audiovisual project and real-time tracking of your costs:
🔄 External Budget Imports: Easily integrate your initial budget into TheGreenShot.
📈 Real-Time Budget Tracking: Adjust and track your expenses as they occur.
🌍 Global Budget Overview: Get an overview of your finances at any time.
🔍 Detailed Budget View: Dive into the specifics of each expenditure.
💸 Real-Time Cost Control: React quickly to variations and keep your budget under control.
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