Film & Media: Cinematography & Production

Pre-production is where films are saved or doomed. SCR breakdown identifies every element needed: cast, LOCS, props, wardrobe, VFX, stunts, vehicles, animals. Each element gets a unique ID & color-coded category on the breakdown sheet. This drives the budget, schedule, & department heads' prep lists.

Budgeting follows top-sheet structure: above-the-line (ATL) covers writer, DIR, producers, principal cast; below-the-line (BTL) covers crew, equipment, post-production, insurance, contingency. Industry standard contingency is 10% of total budget. Bond companies require completion guarantees on films over ~$5M. Cash flow projections map weekly spend against investor tranches or studio draws.

Scheduling principles: shoot out LOCS (minimize company moves), group ACT availability, schedule EXT scenes early (weather buffer), save INT controllable scenes for end. Day-out-of-days (DOOD) tracks every ACT's work days, travel days, hold days. Strip board organizes scenes by LOC, time of day, cast requirements. Always schedule the hardest scenes when crew energy is highest — not day 1 (still finding rhythm) and not final week (exhaustion).