Learn how to
Schedule and Budget
your film.
A self-paced online course for:
Anyone (in the film industry or not) interested in scheduling and budgeting a low budget, feature film.
Anyone looking to become a producer, line producer, UPM, or production supervisor.
Creative producers looking to learn the production side of things.
What is considered a “low budget” film?
A low budget film is anything under $15 million.
I use this as a frame of reference because that is the highest budget threshold that IATSE uses to consider for their low budget theatrical agreement.
What exactly do you mean by scheduling a film?
I will show you, step by step, how to create a one-line schedule for your film. A one-liner breaks down each shoot day, scene by scene, so that you can figure out how many days you will need to shoot your film.
This schedule gives you the essential information you’ll need to budget your film.
What does this course cover?
Everything that goes into a film budget and a film schedule, including how to prep your script for scheduling. I get into union agreements, union rules, working with non-union crew, working with minors, etc.
I will take you through the entire scheduling and budgeting process from start to finish. You can view the course outline here.
In the course I budget for a Los Angeles shoot, but I also touch on shooting in other states in the US and things to look out for.
I should note that this course does not cover short films or animated or documentary films.
Do I need a script to take this course?
Nope! If you don’t have a script that you want to take through the course, I provide you with a copyrighted script to work along side me.
Do I have to buy programs for this course?
I will be using Final Draft, Movie Magic Scheduling and Movie Magic Budgeting.
You can use these or you can use the alternative options I give you or what you already have.
Right now Final Draft and Movie Magic Scheduling & Budgeting offer 30 day free trials.
I am also able to offer** Movie Magic Scheduling 6 at the Academic price if you are interested in purchasing.
Please note that I will be giving you templates for Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting.
*If you won’t be using Movie Magic Scheduling just make sure your script program can export a .sex file. I cover all of the above in the course.
**I can offer MMS6 while I still have a few licenses remaining.
Do I need a Mac or a PC?
You need one or the other. I use a Mac so you’ll be watching me work through the programs that way, but you can definitely use a PC.
What’s your style?
My approach is pretty informal. I don’t talk like a professor because I’m not one.
I once told my boss, a line producer, that I wished I could download everything from his brain into mine so that I could know everything he knew about production.
And that’s what I feel like I’ve done with this course. All my production knowledge and experience over the years is now downloaded here for you to soak up.
Is your process the way everyone does it?
Glad you asked. One of my favorite things about filmmaking is that you could give five different producers the same script and they’d all come up with a different schedule/budget based on their experience and relationships.
I’ll show you my process, but that doesn’t mean it’s the process. Everyone schedules and budgets differently, so I’ll show you how I do it.
Is this a live course or self-paced?
Totally self-paced. No live zooms so you don’t have to try to re-work your schedule to meet live. You get to access the course lessons whenever you want!
What’s included?
Templates
You will get my Movie Magic Scheduling template and my Movie Magic budgeting template.
The budget template is loaded with all current fringe rates & union rates* for 2024**.
It’s also loaded with estimates on possible rates for everything that goes into a budget like: gear, site fees, post production costs… everything.
*DGA/WGA/SAG/IATSE
**some rates for 2024 are still being negotiated by unions so I give you estimates
Movie Magic Scheduling
Entertainment Partners has allowed me to supply course members with the Academic price for Movie Magic Scheduling. The normal price is $489 but for students I’m able to offer license fees for $165.
18+ Hours of Lessons
Handouts
You’ll get 13 handouts with links to everything I reference in each video, as well as, step by step screen shots on how to work with the programs.
Also included are recommendations on companies to work with.
Script
If you don’t have your own script I will give you a copyrighted script, Masters of the Roman Noir, in FDX (Final Draft) format to take through the course.
Details
I love details. Maybe a little too much. In the budgeting section I will walk you through the budget, account by account, and show you how I estimate rates. I also give you lots of practical insights on things to look out for and rules you may not know so you can avoid costly mistakes.
Private Facebook Group
Part of the reason I wanted to create this course was to bring those of us together that want to create independent films, but either don’t have access to mentors or don’t know who to ask for help (or hate asking for help).
With this group I hope to build a community where we can share our experiences, ask questions, and encourage one another on our journeys.
What people are saying.
“This course is an invaluable resource for those looking to learn how to schedule and budget a film. The in-depth lessons on scheduling and budgeting not only demystify the complexities but will empower you with practical skills to navigate the intricate landscape of filmmaking. A must for anyone serious about bringing their cinematic visions to life.”
Victor Hsu - Executive Producer/UPM (Arrested Development, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Patient)
“I wish I would’ve had this two years ago! I think this is AMAZING!!”
Sara Kay Sheets - Production Supervisor/Location Manager (The Walking Dead, Doom Patrol, Shaft)
“Blair is a brilliant Line Producer, Production Supervisor, etc…! Two areas that are definitely lacking in education are the ART OF SCHEDULING and BUDGETING. This course is crucial for those creating feature films.”
Robert Enriquez - Producer/Director
“The templates alone are worth their weight in gold, and the course really breaks down every element that goes into a professional schedule and budget. This is a must-have skill set for any writers or directors looking to get their projects made.”
Jeff Perreca - Writer/Director/Producer
“Before I touch on the absolute gift that Blair and this course is, here's a little of my history for context: I had arguably THE greatest line producing mentor that took me under his wing when I knew I wanted to get serious about producing. I worked as his assistant for a few years and eventually associate produced a few features under him. From the beginning, he so openly explained his thought processes and expertise on everything from movie magic to cost reporting. I watched him budget and had such an invaluable resource at my fingertips, but I realized that no matter who you have to call on for advice, learning to budget and schedule is something you have to do entirely on YOUR OWN. I put in the hours on weekends at coffee shops, consuming every free video resource I could. Month by month I found a little more confidence, and ultimately was lucky enough to start producing shorts, commercials, and indie features. One of the most beautiful things about this job and this profession is that there is always SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN. Even though it wasn't my first time opening Movie Magic, I am no master. But I deeply want to be, and Film Parliament's course was SUCH an asset to that. Blair explains the course beautifully, she gets really granular in all the ways you would hope for, and she really does such a great job at making a complex system seem accessible. So really thank you Blair, Film Parliament is amazing and you're clearly such an aspirational producer and this course shows exactly that. Also, for the LOVE OF GOD, if you're even the slightest bit interested in producing, please check out the @FilmParliament instagram.”
Adam Kinyon - Line Producer/UPM
“Film Parliament is a fantastic intro to those who want to learn the process of budgeting and producing their own film. The tutorials will skillfully guide you through every stage of the process, from script breakdown, scheduling, budgeting, and hiring crew. You'll also get introductions to industry standard software such as Final Draft and MovieMagic. The skills you will learn from Film Parliament would normally take years to learn in the business. The best part: the Instructor, Blair Skinner, makes the classes fun and exciting. The lessons are broken up in a way that allows you to go at your own pace, and this does not feel like "school". I definitely feel more prepared to move up to production supervising since taking the course. I think Film Parliament would be SO helpful to anyone looking to enter the business, or those wanting to move up & produce. Film Parliament is definitely something that is needed in our industry. There are so many people out there who would really benefit from this. Highly recommended!”
Brandon Williams - Production Coordinator (Empire, The Cleaning Lady, Power Book IV: Force)
Lifetime Access
$597
Access to course content
& private Facebook group.
Choose between two payment options :
One payment in full.
Three payments (one payment per month x3 months).
Want a free sample lesson, first?
I’ll send you the “Intro to the Course” video and one lesson!
(check your spam folder in case the lesson gets stuck in there)
