A $30k Production Budget

And how we're not actually taking home $30k

CA Walnuts Commercial Shoot

Final Budget: $30,000

Production Cost: $20,450

Profit: ~$9,550 (32% margin)

This was a straightforward one-day lifestyle photo shoot for California Walnuts (we also threw in two six-second social cuts). The shoot took place at Morley Field in San Diego and at the time permits were free. Which is great, because now San Diego has cut its film department, so good luck with that.

Let's break it all down:

Production

• Assistant Producer — $1,500 (2 days @ $750)

• Director / Executive Producer — $3,000 (2 days @ $1,500)

• Photographer — $1,500

Grip & Lighting

• Gaffer — $1,000

• Grip / Photo Assistant — $650

Art Department

• Prop Stylist — $2,500

• Wardrobe Styling — $1,000

On Set

• Production Assistants (2) — $700

• Catering & Craft Services — $600

(The squirrel that stole our bagels inflated the food budget slightly)

Talent & Rentals

• Talent — $3,000 (5 talent @ $600 each)

• Props & Non-Returnables — $1,000

• Vintage Red Thunderbird Rental — $500

Post Production

• Photo Editing — $500

All of those hard costs totaled $17,450.

Then there are the costs clients don't usually see: project management, creative reviews, insurance, software, equipment loans, in-house salaries, overhead, and roughly 20 hours of post-production. Those added another ~$3,000, bringing the true production cost to $20,450.

With a $30,000 budget, this project finished with roughly a 32% profit margin. Fin.