Roadmap to a $300,000 Film

ROADMAP TO A $300,000 FILM

Last week I wrote about the Roadmap to a $150,000 film. This week we are covering a $300,000.00 film.

Script Notes

At $300k, your script should be no more than 95 pages. Every page has a price tag, and costs compound quickly. Keep it contained—Dramas, Horror, Comedy, and Family films work well within this budget range. Always include scenes you can envision in your movie trailer—these are your selling points.

Plan for a shooting schedule of 14–18 days maximum. Write for locations you already have access to—spaces that are not only affordable but also pre-dressed and cinematic.

Actors

At this budget, you can afford to work with SAG actors. Films between $50k and $300k fall under the Ultra-Low Budget Agreement, which allows you to cast both SAG and non-union actors. The SAG day rate is $241 for an 8-hour shift, with overtime costs applying beyond 8 hours. In addition to wages, you must account for an additional 21% for health and pension contributions, a state payroll tax ranging from 18–21%, and a daily per diem of $70. These costs add up quickly. Also, SAG actors must be paid through a payroll company—you cannot classify them as independent contractors.

A recognizable actor, or “face,” costing $1,000 to $3,000 a day for 3–5 days, could be worth the expense. Having a “face” in your film can boost its potential for distribution and press.

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Crew

Your crew size should not exceed 15 to 18 people. Focus on hiring experienced professionals like a line producer, a 1st AD, an editor, and a cinematographer. Whenever possible, negotiate deals with key team members who own equipment. For example, hire a cinematographer who owns a lens package, a gaffer with a lighting truck, and a sound mixer with quality gear. You might also consider offering equity partnerships to some key crew members while paying fair day rates to others.

Producers

Delegation is crucial to successfully completing your film. Think about your personality type and partner with a producer who compensates for your weaknesses. For example, if you’re more logistical and detail-oriented, find a producer who is charismatic and excels at networking. Conversely, if you’re a big-picture visionary, partner with someone who thrives on organization and execution.

Producers on a project like this should focus on securing funding and building the audience, which includes everything from distribution and press to marketing and promotions. At this budget range, producers need to be relentless hustlers who can adapt to challenges and keep the momentum going.

Funding

A good way to structure your budget is to divide it into 50 investor units at $6,000 each. Aim to secure three to five major investors. If your state doesn’t offer film incentives at this budget level, consider shooting in another state that does. Diversify your funding sources by incorporating up to 10% from crowdfunding, 5% from product placement, and 5% from fiscal sponsorship. Be sure to hire an entertainment attorney to prepare all legal documents.

Distribution

Set aside 5% to 10% of your total budget for marketing, press, and promotions. Make sure you budget for essential distribution deliverables such as DCPs, subtitling, closed captions, and QC reports. Don’t overlook behind-the-scenes content—hire someone to capture BTS footage and still photography during production.

Once your film is complete, your first priority should be creating a trailer. A strong trailer can help you test the market with distributors and even secure additional funding.

Take Action!

Are you ready to work with a professional Line Producer who has managed over $6 million in production funds and specializes in creating film budgets and business plans for $300,000 films? Let’s bring your project to life!

Contact me at info@filmbusinessplan.com to order a professional pitching package that includes a comprehensive film business plan, detailed budget, and distribution strategy.

Take the next big step toward getting your screenplay onto a movie set. Let’s make it happen!