this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2023
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I have also worked as background, supporting and co-star (although mostly in Europe, I've only done short films in the US). And I will admit that the majority of my resume is theatre, followed by VO.
When I say "already allocated", I'm speaking generally and colloquially about how you can't attribute a PO log for VX to Talent or Wardrobe on the fly (at least not in a professional shop). I mean... I guess you could VOID out something and reattribute, but it probably wouldn't look good in an audit as you'd get a massive variance; or if it's as cheap as you say maybe it could come out of the 10% contingency... but again that's not very professional and in a large scale production the auditors would come knocking.
Usually that's all locked up in software — your call sheet, PL sheet, PO log are all preferably generated from the same stack so it can all roll back up.
And I will defend that wardrobe budget is preallocated, (with projected variance baked in and petty cash allowances, too as BTL lines) in the topsheet as an above the line expense. Line items including properties, pieces and manhours are then drawn down as POs + fringes.
As you will know from working BGs, your call sheet will have stipulations about what to wear and you will be triaged into the scene based on how well you did it. I know I've made a half assed attempt before just so I can lurk at the back one day — these stipulations will have been made with some of the wardrobe department.
Although you "pay people by the hour" you still need to budget how much to pay people + variance + Fringes before you go into production. They don't "throw money in a bucket" literally but you're confusing BTL line item hours with ATL topsheet summaries which are (metaphorical) buckets.
Background and main talent are separated in StudioBinder (not sure about Movie Magic) but generating bg paydays as a portion of budget is definitely a common function.
People. Are. Paid. By. The. Hour.
None of your budget statements are relevant, in any way. You can throw in whatever technical terms you want, they aren't relevant.
Wardrobe is budgeted by the amount of people using it, less people using it = less budget, is simple math so difficult to understand?
You are speaking like an accountant that's never set foot on a set before, and your technical terms are entirely financial.
my dude, you can't pay people by the hour without having a budget first.
You have a fundamental lack of understanding about how money works.
uno reversi.
I was the artistic director of a touring company for over a decade, I've been an actor, writer and extra for film, TV and commercials, and an actor, writer, director, producer, musician and comic in live performance. My first professional gig was at 12 years old.
I have given you a whole mess of examples and explanations and all youve given is "no u."
How you going to pay people hourly if you don't budget for them? Pay them hourly from what? Which funding stream? Which budget? Which department?