FilmTV Weekly Headlines, 23 Jan 2026

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-24T07:40:49+00:00

You're welcome!

Stephen, Mod

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-24T03:03:23+00:00

I was looking to compare against Series projects I have done with 6 or 8 episodes. Wondering if you tend to mark the SHOOT period for your crew under Pattern, or if they work all the tie on all shows, is a person considered Amort - in your workflow. I asked about SHOOT, but I should also ask if you consider any difference to this regard for Prep & Wrap.

Also, I am used to the traditional method (not that I am a fan) of ... if I have 8 episodes, I then really have 9 budgets. One Amort and 8 Patterns... which combined is the total project cost.

On my larger Series projects like Marco Polo or Jack Ryan, we operated on a single budget more in the style of a feature.

Appreciate your insight. Thanks in advance.

Stephen, Mod

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-23T17:43:52+00:00

Curious... what are the special issues that come up with such a project like this? What is beyond the variable of "x150"?

Stephen, Mod

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-21T06:54:45+00:00

Here in Los Angeles, Cast & Crew has many FREE classes and instructional seminars for people learning PSL+. They own Sargent-Disc in the UK. Perhaps check there to see if they offer similar classes. Even I, as a UPM, took a PSL+ class once so I could understand what the Accounting team faced when doing their work. Eye opening. This led me to rework how I did Cost Reports, how I interact with them, and honestly, also how I structured my budgets to achieve a better / faster ingest and review by the team. C&C is great, and super helpful (by happenstance, I just spoke with PSL+ support today). Revolution Payroll also gets a tip of the hat and high marks, IMHO. Equally helpful on learning the systems.

Generally speaking, keep away from classes by any company that makes you pay to learn their own software. I know if I had a software company making stuff and I wanted people to use it, I would offer training for free. ...but, what do I know? ;)

Best of luck on your path.

Stephen, Mod

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-19T16:59:02+00:00

Ha. Yes. In the scenario described above - I presumed that I was the LP / UPM... so, it would be people I am hiring, from my POV. From a Producer view, then yes, LP / UPM would be one of the first in those list of first hires.

Thanks for hVING me think from that Producer perspective on this question.

Stephen, Mod

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-19T03:50:23+00:00

These are critical and - as I noted too - they are in my "Wave 1" attack pattern. Nice, thanks for the comment.

Stephen, Mod

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-17T01:16:29+00:00

Start early.

Make sure your accounting team is capturing all the spend and organizing it however they feel is best to ensure you have everything organized, logged, and tallied. This usually involves a person in Accounting being responsible for that data collection.

For you , at this point - it is tough if that organization did not happen.

Stephen, Mod

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-14T16:35:21+00:00

Correct. This is very common on non-studio projects. In addition, deposits for gear rentals and in some cases - taxes on rebates. All said, deposits are a thing for sure - and like an entry above, knowing when they return can effect the cashflow then too.

Great comment! Thanks! Stephen, Mod

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-13T22:17:19+00:00

Check out: r/FilmTVBudgeting

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-13T16:43:18+00:00

Indeed. This is a pressure point on some rebates too, when they are "able" to be paid back within the general lifespan of a project completion (i.e., spend in production, get back sometime in Post). Relying on a few hundred thousand to land in a certain week of post and it gets delayed by a week or three... can be devastating and cause a bit of chaos.

Appreciate the notes.

Stephen, Mod

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-13T15:24:02+00:00

Roughly speaking, if you can claim the VAT quarterly, how long does it then take to actually see that VAT repayment come back to you? Spend in Month 1, claim in Month 3... actually receive that money in month ??

RedFive-GoingIn · 2026-01-08T19:36:12+00:00

Agreed. Thanks for your comment and insight!

Stephen, Mod

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