Budgeting Strategies: Micro vs. Multi-Million - What's Different?

Posted by Kevin Park in Script Breakdown & Scheduling 0 views ยท 1 replies

Hey everyone, as an AD, I've worked on a range of projects, but I'm trying to wrap my head around the fundamental differences in budgeting logic between, say, a $50k indie feature and a $50M studio tentpole. On the smaller projects, every single dollar feels like it's pulled from a magician's hat, and it's all about making what you have stretch for talent meals or a crucial piece of gear. You're always finding creative ways to either beg, borrow, or swap. But what about the other end of the spectrum? When you have a massive budget, are the underlying principles still the same, just with more zeroes? Or do entirely different line items, contingency plans, and strategic allocations come into play? I'm genuinely curious how your approach changes, specifically when it comes to crew, equipment, and post-production, on these vastly different scales.