PRODUCTION OUTLINE & BUDGETING OVERVIEW
The following outline is a step-by-step guide of what’s involved in bringing a product to market via direct response television. It is not meant to cover every possible detail. However, it is the best example we have seen.
PRE-PRODUCTION
SCRIPT
SELECT WRITERS
PRODUCE OUTLINE
FIRST APPROVAL
LEGAL APPROVAL
RE-EDIT
STORY BOARD
PRODUCTION STAFFING
PRODUCER
DIRECTOR
LIGHTING DIRECTOR
AUDIO DIRECTOR
OTHER PRE-PRODUCTION STAFF
TALENT
COORDINATOR
CASTING CALL
CAST SELECTION
SITE LOCATION
RELEASES
PERMITS
FACILITIES
INSURANCE
ON-SITE OPERATORS & CREW REQUIREMENTS
CAMERA
MAKE-UP
LIGHTING
SOUND
GAFFER
PROPERTY MANAGER
CONTINUITY
PROPS
WARDROBE
SOUND REQUIREMENT
SCHEDULING
HOTELS
MEALS
TRANSPORTATION
PRODUCTION
SCHEDULE DATES OF SHOOT
CREW SCHEDULE
TALENT SCHEDULE
LIGHTING SET UP
SOUND SET UP
PROPS ON SET
COORDINATE TALENT
“Q” CARDS OR TELE-PROMPTER
SET DECORATION
EDITING & POST-PRODUCTION
CHYRONS & SPECIAL EFFECT REQUIREMENTS
TITLING
SLATE
ANIMATION
VOICE OVER
MUSIC SELECTION
RE-RECORDING
DUBS
AIRTIME
TEST RUN
BUDGET
ONE WEEK
TRACK & ANALYZE
ROLL OUT IN MONTHLY BUYS
P.I. DEALS
ORDER ENTRY
“800” & “900” SERVICE
ASSIGN THE TELEMARKETING
SET PROCEDURE
COMPUTER PROCESSING
ENTRY SCREEN DESIGN
REPORT DESIGN
INVOICE GENERATION
SET PROCEDURE
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
INITIAL INVENTORY REQUIREMENTS
FUTURE INVENTORY NEEDS
RETURN PROCEDURE
FILE MAINTENANCE
FULFILLMENT
INVENTORY REQUIREMENTS SET
WAREHOUSING
LOCATION
SITE
SHIPPING SERVICES
UPS ACCOUNT NUMBER
PARCEL POST
FEDERAL EXPRESS, ETC.
MANIFEST SYSTEM
CUSTOMER SERVICE
“800” NUMBER
POLICY
PROCEDURE
BACK-END MARKETING
INSERT & BOUNCE-BACK
CATALOG
EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL
CUSTOMER RESPONSE CARD
TELEMARKETING
COORDINATING ADVERTISING
PRINT ADS
COORDINATED “WATCH FOR” ADS
MAIL PIECE
ACCOUNTING
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
BANKING
VISA
MASTERCARD
AMERICAN EXPRESS
CHECKS
INVOICING
REVENUE TRACKING REPORTS
QUARTERLY REPORTING
FUTURE MARKETING OPTIONS
SPANISH PROGRAMMING
DIRECT SALES
RETAIL SALES
MULTI-LEVEL SALES
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
LEGAL
PRODUCT NAME
PRODUCTION NAME
SCRIPT APPROVAL
FTC GUIDELINE SUPERVISION
FDA GUIDELINE SUPERVISION (IF NEEDED)
OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL APPROVAL
LEGAL
INSURANCE
INDEMNITY
CREDIT CARD GUARANTEE
TAX
APPLICABLE SALES TAX (IF ANY)
STATE
COUNTY
CITY
FEDERAL AND/OR INTERNATIONAL TAXES
BUDGETING 2 MINUTE COMMERCIALS
$10000
LOCAL SHOOT
LIMITED GRAPHICS & EFFECTS
SINGLE CAMERA CREW
NEEDLE DROP MUSIC
$15000-$18000
ON-SITE SHOOT
ADVANCED GRAPHICS & EFFECTS
SINGLE CAMERA SHOOT
NEEDLE DROP MUSIC
$20000-$35000
UP TP A $5000 TRAVEL BUDGET
TWO SITE SHOOT
MORE EXPENSIVE TALENT
TWO CAMERA SHOOT
NEEDLE DROP MUSIC
FULL ½ HOUR PROGRAM
$35000
TWO CAMERA SHOOT
LOCAL OR SINGLE SITE SHOOT
LOCAL TALENT
NEEDLE DROP MUSIC
$50000
TWO CAMERA SHOOT
LOCAL SITE
SET DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
MEDIUM “Q” FACTOR PERSONALITY
NEEDLE DROP MUSIC
$75000
HIGHER “Q” FACTOR PERSONALITY
TRAVEL WITHIN THE US
MORE ELABORATE SETS & COSTUMES
NEEDLE DROP MUSIC
NATIONAL VOICE OVER PERSON
$100000+
HIGHEST “Q” FACTOR PERSONALITY
MORE EXTENSIVE TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORING
HI-TECH GRAPHICS & SPECIAL EFFECTS
*Important Note: These prices are estimates. They do not include many expenses that may raise the costs significantly, i.e. film rather than video tape, special sets, custom music, special permits, extensive travel and other items. However, these prices will produce quality programming.
OTHER BUDGET REQUIREMENTS
800 SERVICE
TWO WEEK SET UP
$2 PER ORDER
$1500 START UP COST
900 SERVICE
30 DAY SET UP
$1.33 PER CALL
$4500 START UP COST
AIRTIME BUDGET
$10000 INITIAL COST
BILLED AT COST
MINIMUM 30 DAY LEAD TIME RECOMMENDED
CUSTOMER SERVICE
$1.25 PER 1 MINUTE CALL OR ORDER
800: 35 CENTS PER MINUTE
FULFILLMENT
$.70 PER PACKAGE
SUPPLIES – EXTRA
COD AND AOD: 90 CENTS ADDITIONAL
UPS, USPS, FED-EX, & INT’L SERVICES
RETURNS $.70 PER PACKAGE
BACK-END MARKETING
NEWSLETTER
MAILING COST 25 CENTS EACH
MAIL PIECE: 18.3 CENTS
CATALOGS ON REQUEST
FOLLOW-UP TELEMARKETING
