I finally get it! After years of being a professional Line Producer on indie films and doing the film budget, shooting schedules, production insurance, payroll, hiring crew, etc., I finally get why film directors get crazy prior to filming. Why they block reason and don’t consider the real cost of filming.
Two months ago I finally directed my first film project entitled The Library of Babel. I got accepted to the Sundance Collab Director Core program. 9 intense weeks! I always thought I had to pay my dues and start from the bottom up before I would seriously consider directing a film. After 20 years plus I finally took a shot.
I broke my own rule! I went full blown crazy without considering any of the cost. Manic! I was in a raging passion that wouldn’t let me think logically. Whatever it took! I didn’t think twice. I saved years worth of favors and goodwill but those hidden cost kept popping up.
By the time my Line Producer in training got on, she was like “Dude WTF”! It was like waking up from a hangover. The damage was done. Mind you this was out of pocket! My own personal savings with a few donations that I’m grateful for.
A film budget is where reality and dreams mend. A Line Producer isn’t your enemy. They are not there to say no but how can we do it more efficient without sacrificing production value. So before you consider filming hire a professional line producer to do a detailed film budget. There is an art to it. https://filmbusinessplan.com/product/film-budget/
Would I do it all over again? Hell yeah but with both my right and left brain.
Now I want to thank my film crew, actors, and the San Antonio Film Commission for making my crazy dream come true. Here is my directorial debut.
The Library of Babel.