Producing: Movie Magic Budgeting & Scheduling

Learn Movie Magic Budgeting & Scheduling, the recognised industry standard software for scheduling and budgeting films and TV drama, and transform your producing skills.

Taught by working industry professionals through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and group tutorials, incorporating valuable advice from a professional producer's point of view, you will leave the course with a thorough understanding of how to use Movie Magic.

SPECIAL OFFER: LFA Producing Package – 10 days for £1,300, save £240! (Total £1,300 instead of £1,540). To benefit from this offer, simply apply for each of the following courses separately via the links below, discounts are applied automatically at checkout:

You don't have to take the courses in any particular order, just as long as all three courses are taken within 12 months.

Duration: 4 days
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (BST UK Time)

Key Features

Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting is the recognised industry standard software for scheduling and budgeting films and TV drama. They are complementary packages: information in scheduling may be exported to budgeting to assist in the process of costing the project. Please note that this Movie Magic software replaces Entertainment Partners Scheduling and Budgeting, the former industry standard software for production management.

The course is run over four consecutive weekdays or two weekends. Through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and group tutorials, incorporating valuable advice from a professional producer's point of view, you leave with a thorough understanding of how to use Movie Magic.

Day one

Lecture - Basics of scheduling principles

Introduction to using Movie Magic Scheduling software

Practical scheduling project - under tutor guidance, students individually schedule a 10 minute film script using Movie Magic Scheduling

  • Entering Schedule data
  • The breakdown sheet
  • Creating strip boards
  • Producing schedules
Day two

Students complete inputting the script into Movie Magic Scheduling

Using MM reports

  • Lay out of days
  • Cast information
  • Printing options

Feedback on schedules and comparison with the actual schedule used for the film Student led session to re-visit any specific areas.

Day three

Lecture - Basics of budgeting principles

Introduction to using Movie Magic Budgeting

Practical budgeting project - under tutor guidance, students individually budget a 10 minute film script using MM Scheduling

  • Importing information from MM Scheduling
  • Entering budget data
  • Using the top sheet and other levels
  • Working with Globals, Subgroups and Fringes
Day four
  • Inputting the script into Movie Magic Budgeting
  • Working with other currencies
  • Amending the budget
  • Printing and reports
  • Feedback on budgets and comparison with the actual budget used for the film Student led session to re-visit any specific areas

After taking this course, students should be able to work with both EP Scheduling and Budgeting software on their own productions.

This course takes place in person at LFA, 52a Walham Grove, London SW6

Minimum age 18.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

To access the course content and understand the technical filmmaking terminology used when delivering our courses, all applicants must be able to read, write, speak and understand English to a B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. The best way to find out your CEFR level is to take a well-designed standardised test. Most common English assessment tests now provide the CEFR equivalency. If you have questions about our English language requirement, please feel free to email the Short Courses team.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

For in depth Visa information please visit our Visa page.

Will the school provide the software?

Yes, LFA will provide the software for the course, so you won’t need to purchase a license.

Do I need my own computer?

No, LFA will provide computers for you to use.

To apply online please click on the course date below.