Description
Unit
Quantity
Unit Price
Total
Development(2)
$2,150
Script revisions
1
$450
$450
Producing prep
2
$850
$1,700
Pre-Production(2)
$4,800
Scheduling
1
$1,200
$1,200
Tech scout
2
$1,800
$3,600
Crew(6)
$15,950
Director
1
$2,600
$2,600
Producer
2
$3,200
$6,400
DP
3
$700
$2,100
1st AC
1
$1,400
$1,400
Gaffer
2
$450
$900
Sound
3
$850
$2,550
Equipment(3)
$12,600
Camera
1
$1,200
$1,200
Lenses
2
$1,800
$3,600
Lighting
3
$2,600
$7,800
Art / Wardrobe / HMU(3)
$8,800
Production design
1
$3,200
$3,200
Wardrobe
2
$700
$1,400
HMU
3
$1,400
$4,200
Talent / Casting(3)
$5,750
Casting
1
$450
$450
Principal cast
2
$850
$1,700
Background
3
$1,200
$3,600
Locations / Travel(2)
$7,000
Locations
1
$1,800
$1,800
Vehicles / lodging
2
$2,600
$5,200
Post-Production(3)
$8,800
Editor
1
$3,200
$3,200
Color
2
$700
$1,400
Sound design
3
$1,400
$4,200
Production Expenses(2)
$2,150
Crafty
1
$450
$450
Insurance / expendables
2
$850
$1,700

About this template

Independent film budgets have unique requirements that commercial templates don't address. This template includes development costs like script work and creative alignment, a more detailed crew structure for multi-day shoots, and categories for talent and casting that reflect the realities of indie filmmaking. Whether you're producing a short film, a feature, or a web series, this template provides the framework to plan your production budget from development through post-production.

Perfect for

Independent filmmakers, short film producers, film students with production budgets, and web series creators planning multi-day shoots with small to medium crews.

How to customize it

  • Add a Festival Submissions line item under Production Expenses for post-completion costs
  • Expand the Crew group based on your actual department needs (sound, grip, electric, etc.)
  • Add a Music / Score category if you're commissioning original music
  • Consider adding a separate group for Visual Effects if your project requires them

What's inside this template

These are the line items the template comes with, organized by stage. Adjust amounts, quantities, and rates to your project.

Development

  • Script revisions
  • Producing prep

Pre-Production

  • Scheduling
  • Tech scout

Crew

  • Director
  • Producer
  • DP
  • 1st AC
  • Gaffer
  • Sound

Equipment

  • Camera
  • Lenses
  • Lighting

Art / Wardrobe / HMU

  • Production design
  • Wardrobe
  • HMU

Talent / Casting

  • Casting
  • Principal cast
  • Background

Locations / Travel

  • Locations
  • Vehicles / lodging

Post-Production

  • Editor
  • Color
  • Sound design

Production Expenses

  • Crafty
  • Insurance / expendables

FAQ

How is this different from the AICP commercial template?

The indie film template includes development costs (script, creative alignment) and a more flexible crew structure for multi-day shoots. It doesn't have the agency-specific categories like Director/Creative Fees or Insurance that are standard in commercial budgets.

Can I use this for a feature film?

Yes, though you'll likely need to expand several groups. A feature film typically needs more detailed crew breakdowns, additional post-production categories (sound design, color grading, DCP creation), and potentially a separate marketing/distribution budget.

What about deferred compensation?

Many indie productions use deferred pay for some or all crew. You can note this in item descriptions while still budgeting the full amount — it helps you understand the true cost of production even if payment is deferred.

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Indie Film Production — Free Budget Template | Get