Producing: EP Budgeting & Scheduling

EP (Entertainment Partners) Scheduling and EP 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 EP software replaces Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting, the former industry standard software for production management.

LFA runs a specialised course to train producers in this industry software taught by working industry professionals. Tutors for this course have included: international feature film producer and production manager Brian Donovan (STAR WARS EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH, DIRTY PRETTY THINGS); and  production manager and 1st AD Marcia Gay (SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE and the BBC's HUSTLE).

The course will be run over two weekends, combining lectures, practical demonstrations using computer projection, group tutorials and one-to-one tuition, incorporating valuable advice from a professional producer's point of view:

Day one
Lecture - Basics of scheduling principles
Introduction to using EP Scheduling software
Practical scheduling project - under tutor guidance, students individually schedule a 10 minute film script using EP Scheduling

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

Day two
Students complete inputting the script into EP Scheduling
Using EP reports

• Day 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 EP Budgeting
Practical budgeting project - under tutor guidance, students individually budget a 10 minute film script using EP Scheduling

• Importing information from EP Scheduling
• Entering budget data
• Using the top sheet and other levels
• Working with Globals, Subgroups, Fringes

Day four
Students complete inputting the script into EP Budgeting

More complex uses of EP 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

Short film screening

The course tutor will illustrate teaching of the software with examples from her/his own experiences of working on films such as SKY CAPTAIN using multiple currencies and how EP can be utilised effectively with globals and split days.

Teaching hours are 10am-5pm each day. 

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

Maximum number of places: 8

For further information email shortcourses@londonfilmacademy.com or call LFA on +44 (0)207 386 7711 to book your place over the phone with a credit/debit card.

NB.  Discounted course fee for ClubPanico@LFA members: £395.