Let’s talk Budget

It’s important to know how money can flow from your film. Three things we want you to know:

• Include a line item for marketing and distribution in your production budget, 10-50%.
• How the Distribution Waterfall works
• How the Producer’s Pool works
• Include a line item for marketing and distribution in your production budget, 10-50%. (yes ,we’re saying it twice)

Example Distribution Budget

Here is a sample distribution and marketing budget for a release that includes a small theatrical, prepared by Jon Reiss of 8Above.

The Waterfall

What does a deal look like?

Distribution Waterfall

1. Distribution expenses (taxes, residuals for guilds and unions)
2. Distribution fee (usually 10%–30% of gross receipts)