Limited spots - Private, interactive lab taught by a producer who's budgeted over 100 films! Only 10 spots available

Walk Away with a Customized Script Breakdown, Production Schedule, and Budget Outline You Can Use for Your Own Feature Film!

If you’re serious about making your film—whether it's a $1 million indie or a $3 million genre-buster—there’s one thing you must master: your budget and schedule. Understanding exactly how much your project will cost to produce and having the ability to present a realistic budget is the foundation of turning your vision into a reality. In today’s film market, where financiers, agents, and buyers are inundated with pitches, a compelling script is only part of the equation. You need to show how you're going to execute your vision—on time and on budget. Knowing how to present a professional budget and schedule can make the difference between getting a greenlight or being passed over. This is your chance to learn how to break down your script and build a budget and schedule that attracts investors, talent, and distribution partners!

As a filmmaker, navigating the complexities of budgeting and scheduling can be overwhelming. Many creatives fail to properly break down their scripts, which leads to underestimating key costs and miscommunication with investors. In this lab, you’ll address these issues head-on. You’ll learn how to identify big-ticket items early on, how to factor in all the hidden costs that can derail your project, and how to prepare a budget that is realistic and compelling. By learning how to break down a script correctly and build a budget based on real-world costs, you'll avoid the common missteps that many filmmakers make when launching their projects.

You’ll be guided by Michael Wormser, an experienced producer whose work spans features, series, and branded content for top platforms like Netflix, Legendary, Hulu, and Lakeshore Entertainment. Michael’s credits include the hit comedy REAL BROS OF SIMI VALLEY, the sci-fi thrillers THE THINNING and THE THINNING: NEW WORLD ORDER, INTERNET FAMOUS (Netflix), and the indie drama FUNNY STORY, which premiered at Slamdance. Michael has also led the production of major projects, such as the true-crime thriller THE LEADER and the workplace comedy PBC. With his extensive background in both large-scale and indie productions, Michael brings insider knowledge and expertise to the lab, helping you understand how to attract investors and successfully navigate the financial side of filmmaking.

By the end of this exclusive lab, you’ll walk away with a fully tailored script breakdown, a comprehensive budget outline, and a production schedule that you can immediately apply to your own feature. You’ll gain valuable insight into the process of identifying budgetary needs, creating realistic production timelines, and adapting your budget to meet the demands of your project. Whether you’re preparing to self-finance or seeking investment, you’ll have the tools you need to confidently present your film’s budget and schedule to potential partners, financiers, and talent!

This interactive Stage 32 lab is held on Zoom and goes substantially more in depth than a Stage 32 webinar. Best of all? As soon as you sign up you will be linked on email with Michael and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to her. You will have access to her for the duration of your class by email to ask her any questions you have about your craft or career - it’s like having a mentor on demand! And, if you can't make a live session, don't worry! All class recordings will be available 48 hours after each session and you will be able to view them in your Library on your Stage 32 profile. Finally, you can expand your network with like-minded creatives - you'll have a dedicated lounge for interactive support and discussions with your fellow classmates!

PLUS! You will receive the following handouts to help you:

• Sample Script Breakdown Template

• Budget Template

• Scheduling Template

• Production Reports Examples

• Union and Fringes Guide

PRE-CLASS PREP

Do you know what script you want to budget and schedule for this class? Make sure you have a script that you want to produce before we begin! And always come prepared with questions! 

Creating an accurate film budget and schedule is complex, and budgeting software is required for this course. It is strongly recommended that you purchase Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling. This software is the standard in the film industry, and it is how all samples will be presented in class.

Gorilla and Celtx are budgeting software alternatives that can be used; however, be aware that no technical support will be provided on those platforms.

PRAISE FROM MICHAEL'S TEACHINGS AT STAGE 32:

"No matter how experienced you are, getting your passion project made is within your reach. Whether you’re a brand new producer or someone with more experience looking for a refresher or new perspective, Michael will give you the tools you need." -Josh P

WEEK 1 – Introduction, Script Breakdown

This week, we’ll cover how to look at your script through the eyes of a line producer and perform a script breakdown, tagging elements to get us ready for next week’s scheduling. We will discuss what elements in a script need to be considered so you can build a schedule and budget.

This week’s assignments will be:

• Continue breaking down your script at home so that it’s ready for scheduling next week

• Sample schedules will be provided for review in preparation for next week’s class.

WEEK 2 – Intro to Scheduling

This week, we’ll set up your schedule for the film. We will import the tagged script, and add in details for each scene of the film. We’ll learn how to take a cast, specialty equipment, locations, and special effects into consideration while making a schedule.

This week’s assignments will be:

• Continue inputting scene details from what you’ve learned this week to be prepared to start exploring your schedule. 

• Familiarize yourself with supplied budgets before next week’s class

WEEK 3 – Scheduling Part 2

This week, we’ll start scheduling our film.  Learning how many days we can film based on variables such as script pages per day,  cast availabilities, and production logistics. Once we have a prelim schedule we will then export scheduling reports such as.  Cast DOODS, Background DOODs,  and various Production Reports. We'll use these reports to begin our prelim budget. 

This week’s assignments will be:

• Finalizing your prelim schedule.  Print out all production reports.  

• Familiarize yourself with supplied budgets before next week’s class

WEEK 4 – Intro to the Budgeting Backend

This week, we'll look at unions, state and federal fringes, globals and how they change based on a budget level. It can be tedious at first, but it ultimately makes a huge difference to your final budget.  We'll also cover Tax Credit Tagging in this session.  

This week’s assignments will be:

• Continue building the backend of your budget so you are prepped to jump into Above the Line next week

• Apply the concept of crew globals to your script and consider how to create pay tiers.

WEEK 5 – Above the Line

This week, we’ll jump into what is called the “Above the Line” portion of the budget. We’ll discuss standard costs for producers, directors, actors, and writers.

This week’s assignments will be:

• Continue filling out your above-the-line budget

• Look at the IATSE crew rate breakdown and familiarize yourself with crew positions

WEEK 6 – Below the Line Crew and Production Costs

This week, we’ll cover crew and production costs for your budget. We’ll discuss how many people are needed in a department, how to find reasonable rates at your budget level, kit fees, fringes, and more. We’ll finish up filling in below-the-line production. This will cover vehicles, craft services, rentals for every department, locations, permits, art department—basically everything needed that isn’t a person.

This week’s assignments will be:

• Continue populating your budget with elements from today’s class

• Get a basic idea of post elements for next week

WEEK 7 – Budgeting Post and Contractuals

We’ll look at editors, sound design, graphics, finishing, contingencies, accounting fees, production company fees, etc., until we’ve got a roughly completed budget.

This week’s assignments will be:

• Complete the first draft of your budget

• Look over your budget and schedule for next week’s class

• Prepare any last questions you’ve got for the final class.

WEEK 8 – Finalizing the Budget and Last Thoughts

For this final week, we will be doing a review of our budgets—we’ll be going back through the budget, script, and schedule to make sure everything is accounted for in each and address any outstanding concerns, questions, clarifications, or problems in the budgets you are creating. Finally we will export the budget into a PDF Format. 

We’ll also be going over how to easily tweak the budget based on how much money you can raise.  

We will also discuss any issues you might have concerning your individual budgets.

This week’s assignments will be:

• Relax and feel good about having a new budget

• After the completion of the Lab, additional one-on-one budget consulting with the instructor can be arranged through Stage 32

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• This lab is designed for anyone who wants to create a Feature Film with a $1 Million - $3 Million budget
• Can't make a live session? Don't worry! It will be recorded and you can watch it at your convenience. 
• This is a private, in-depth, practical, and interactive class hosted on Zoom with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• This lab will consist of eight sessions, each roughly two hours in duration and spaced one week apart from one another.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the process.

• Filmmakers ready to take the next step in their career, whether they’re making a self-financed indie or preparing to approach investors for a larger budget.

• Anyone who wants to master the art of breaking down scripts, building budgets, and creating production schedules to ensure their film is made on time and within budget.

Thursday May 15th, 4pm-6pm PT

Thursday May 22nd, 4pm-6pm PT

Thursday May 29th, 4pm-6pm PT

Thursday June 5th, 4pm-6pm PT

Thursday June 12th, 4pm-6pm PT

Thursday June 19th, 4pm-6pm PT

Thursday June 26th, 4pm-6pm PT

Thursday July 3rd, 4pm-6pm PT

PRAISE FROM MICHAEL'S TEACHINGS AT STAGE 32:

"No matter how experienced you are, getting your passion project made is within your reach. Whether you’re a brand new producer or someone with more experience looking for a refresher or new perspective, Michael will give you the tools you need." -Josh P