"Resources"

[FilmMakerr]

What does it mean when someone asks you what resources you have to complete the film? is is he asking me what kind of funding I have? or what type of equipment I have to use?

 

[Jason Ramsey]

i think all of the above... crew, cast, money, equipment, etc, etc.

 

[Casalen]

Even the script can be considered a resource, as well as your personal skills and abilities in cinematography, directing, visual effects, editing, etc. Props. Everything.

 

[JonathanLB]

Just tell them you have unlimited financial resources at your disposal.

 

[craigbowman]

What does it mean when someone asks you what resources you have to complete the film? is is he asking me what kind of funding I have? or what type of equipment I have to use?

Everything that is required to produce a motion picture is a resource for that picture.

NOTE: If you have a successful track record and a solid financial base then you can qualify for a completion bond which is like an insurance policy against some unforseen event(s) which would prevent the production from being completed. (The older terminology of finishing funds is often referenced).

One of the most common affilications that productions have is when the actual shoot goes overbudget and money from the post production budget is used to cover the shortfall. The shoot is completed but then there's nothing available for post.

 

[JonathanLB]

Everything that is required to produce a motion picture is a resource for that picture.

NOTE: If you have a successful track record and a solid financial base then you can qualify for a completion bond which is like an insurance policy against some unforseen event(s) which would prevent the production from being completed. (The older terminology of finishing funds is often referenced).

One of the most common affilications that productions have is when the actual shoot goes overbudget and money from the post production budget is used to cover the shortfall. The shoot is completed but then there's nothing available for post.

Then what? Haha, do you just try to sell it to someone who will have the money to finish it properly? Or raise more cash (hopefully) when shooting is done? That wouldn't be a good situation...

 

[craigbowman]

Then what? Haha, do you just try to sell it to someone who will have the money to finish it properly? Or raise more cash (hopefully) when shooting is done? That wouldn't be a good situation...

Obviously not, which is exactly the point. Many an indy feature production sits languishing on a shelf someplace because the inexperienced filmmaker went overbudget during the shoot and doesn't qualify for a completion bond. The question posed about having the resources to complete the film is a valid one.

Completion bonds were created because even the best laid plans of a studio picture can screw up. Since the majority of indy productions don't qualify for one, the most important thing a line producer/production manager often does is to learn to say "no".

 

[JonathanLB]

Obviously not, which is exactly the point. Many an indy feature production sits languishing on a shelf someplace because the inexperienced filmmaker went overbudget during the shoot and doesn't qualify for a completion bond. The question posed about having the resources to complete the film is a valid one.

Completion bonds were created because even the best laid plans of a studio picture can screw up. Since the majority of indy productions don't qualify for one, the most important thing a line producer/production manager often does is to learn to say "no".

Yeah I can see how that would be a disaster. I would think if you're doing an indie production you should have extra money available as an "oh s**t" fund, though. I mean when I'm going to do my first feature, I will definitely make sure I have a large extra fund available for post-overages or minor production overages, then marketing and promotion after the film is done, etc.

 

[craigbowman]

Yeah I can see how that would be a disaster. I would think if you're doing an indie production you should have extra money available as an "oh s**t" fund, though. I mean when I'm going to do my first feature, I will definitely make sure I have a large extra fund available for post-overages or minor production overages, then marketing and promotion after the film is done, etc.

A wise plan!