Film Making Course - Budget Planning


5. Budget Planning – Film Banane Ka Financial Blueprint


Written by Ayaan Kabir 

🔹 Budget Planning Kya Hota Hai?

Film banane ke liye kitna paisa chahiye, kahan-kahan lagega, kis order me lagega, kis source se aayega, aur kaise control hoga — iski poori planning hi budget planning kehlati hai.

 Isse producer ko clarity milti hai
 Investment milta hai
Production smoothly chalta hai
 Paisa waste hone se bacha rehta hai


Budget Planning 3 Main Categories Me Divide Hoti Hai:

1. Above The Line (Creative & Story-related)

2. Below The Line (Technical & Production-related)

3. Post-Production, Marketing & Miscellaneous


Step-by-Step Breakdown of Budget Planning


I. Above The Line (Creative Planning Cost)

Head Description
Story & Screenplay Rights Agar kahani adapt ki gayi hai
Writer Fees Concept, story, dialogue
Director Fees Direction charges
Lead Actor / Actress Hero / Heroine ka charge
Supporting Cast Side characters ka payment
Casting Director Talent hunt ka kharcha
Producers' Fee (If applicable)

II. Below The Line (Production Cost)

Head Description
Location Scouting & Rent Gaon, city, abroad, etc.
Set Design / Art Dept Set banana, props, furniture
Costume & Makeup Costume designer, stylist, makeup artist
Equipment Rent Camera, lights, grip tools
Cinematographer Fees DOP charge
Assistant Directors Team 1st AD, 2nd AD, etc.
Production Manager On-ground execution
Line Producer Daily expense handler
Sound Dept On-location sound team
Transportation Vanity vans, unit vehicle, camera truck
Food & Catering Cast & crew ka daily food
Accommodation Hotels ya guest house for outstation shoots
Security & Bouncers High-profile set security
Insurance Location, cast, shoot insurance
Contingency 5–10% emergency fund

III. Post-Production

Head Description
Editing Editor + editing studio
DI / Color Grading Look & tone set karna
Sound Design Atmosphere, transitions
Foley & ADR Sound effects & dubbing
Background Score BGM composer ka fee
Song Recording & Mixing Singer, lyricist, composer, studio
VFX & Graphics CGI, green screen, etc.
Subtitling & CC Regional/international release ke liye
Final Mastering DCP, OTT formats

IV. Marketing & Distribution

Head Description
Poster & Teaser Design First look launch
Trailer Editing Promo videos
Social Media Ads Facebook, Insta, YouTube
PR Agency Media coverage
Interviews & Events Press junket, promotions
Song Launch Events Stage shows, media
Influencer Marketing Paid reels & content
Censor Certification CBFC fees
Distribution Charges Theatrical / OTT / Satellite
Premiere Event Red carpet, celebrity invite

V. Budget Format (Excel Columns)

S.No. Department Description Quantity Unit Rate Total
1 DOP Cinematographer Fees 1 ₹5,00,000 ₹5,00,000
2 Camera Rent 30 days ₹20,000/day ₹6,00,000
... ... ... ... ... ...
TOTAL ₹X,XX,XX,XXX

Tips for Smart Budgeting:

 Always add contingency (5%-10%)
 Work on a tight shooting schedule
 Use local talent and locations
Avoid luxury unless needed for story
 Lock cast/crew early to avoid cost jump
 Keep a daily expense tracker during shoot


Low Budget vs High Budget Comparison (Example)

Budget Level Description
₹5–15 Lakhs Short film / low budget indie movie
₹25–75 Lakhs Regional films, web films
₹1–5 Crore Medium-scale Hindi feature film
₹10–25 Cr High-end commercial film
₹50 Cr+ Big star films / PAN-India releases

 Budget Planning Tools:

  • Excel / Google Sheets (manual)
  • Movie Magic Budgeting (industry standard)
  • Celtx Production Tools (cloud based)
  • Filmustage (AI based breakdown)


Next Part....

Pitchdeck / lookbook Click here

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Bollywood ka safar 1913-1930 (Part-1)

Location locking & Permission

Bollywood ka Safar

असली हीरो वही है जो समय को पहचानता है

Bollywood ka Safar 1991-2025 (Part-5)

हिंदू बनाम मुस्लिम

Casting Director Appointment -Film making course

MANAB JOURNEY