What goes into a music video budget
- Director and producer fees. Often a share of the total on smaller videos.
- Crew. Director of photography, camera assistants, gaffer and grip, art, hair and make-up, wardrobe, production assistants.
- Camera and lighting. The package, any specialty rigs, playback.
- Location or studio. Fees, permits, power, parking.
- Art department. Set build, props and dressing.
- Talent. Dancers, extras, choreographer.
- Catering, vehicles, insurance.
- Post. Edit, color, any visual effects, and deliverables for each platform.
Working backwards from a fixed number
- Enter the fees and the costs you know first: director, location, camera package.
- Fill in crew and art for the days the treatment needs.
- Check the top sheet against the number you have. If it is over, cut days, crew or set pieces until it fits, and note what you cut.
- Lock the bid once the artist or label signs off, then post every cost against it.
If you bid music videos regularly, save your lean layout as a template. More on templates. On how much to hold back for surprises, see film budget contingency.