What percentage of the budget is a good starting point for post production audio?

[James Steven Beverly]

I don't know that much about post production audio on film so what percentage of the budget would be a good starting place when budgeting for post production audio on a 35mm feature 90 minute long feature with some sound effects, Foley work to include mastering the M&E and dialog sound separately, then full sound for the answer print? I know this is a nebulous question but what I'm looking for here is an average, low budget (under 500K) feature cost expectation. Thanks-Steve B)

[Jay Taylor]

James,

 

I was just about to ask this same question!

 

Anyone? How much is generally spent on audio post?

 

 

Jay

[Jay Taylor]

Hey again,

 

I talked to Mark Duvall of Happen-Stance Productions here in Nashville, and he thinks it's a good rule of thumb to plan 20% of your budget going to audio post.

 

So there you go! Does that help any?

 

 

Jay

[James Steven Beverly]

Huh, seems a bit high but in absence of any other hard facts, I'll have to bow to Mr Duvall's expertise. I'll also do some research just to confirm that and post it as well. I'm sure thinking about it though, that number is probably pretty accurate. Even if it is erring on the cautious side, better to have a bit more than you need than come up short when you need it. Thanks for the information, Jay and it's Steve BTW :D

Edited February 27, 2009 by James Steven Beverly

[Jay Taylor]

Steve,

 

Sorry about that! :unsure:

 

Yeah, I thought 20% seemed high as well. Although, I discussed one of my projects with him. I'm estimating it to be around 60 minutes, and he thought it'd be around $12-12.5k for all the audio post. Maybe you could figure $12k per hour? 90 minutes would cost $18k?

 

 

Jay

[James Steven Beverly]

Well maybe not that far off on a small feature at say 250K. I'll have to look into it more as I said and I'll try and find some hard numbers. Thanks again-Steve