🔴 Recording: Filmustage 3.0: AI Film Budgeting - Jul 10, 2025

Filmustage 3.0 is here with our groundbreaking AI Budgeting feature and a bunch of other cool updates to save you time, cut costs, and streamline your workflow.

Watch the live session featuring a demo of Filmustage 3.0 and an insightful panel discussion with Joe Jarvis (former VP of Final Draft). Discover the full power of Filmustage 3.0 and get your questions answered.

What We Covered:
🎬 AI Budgeting – Automated, smart budgeting powered by real U.S. production data.
💰 Pre-set Payroll Fringes – Apply standard fringes in just one click.
🛠️ Unified Budget Editing – Edit all your budgets in one place.
📧 Updated Call Sheets – A better editor and email integration for easy sharing.
🎞️ AI VFX Breakdown – Customize and edit VFX breakdowns to fit your needs.

Q&A Recap: Key Takeaways from the Discussion

SCRIPT BREAKDOWN

1: How long does the automatic script breakdown take?
Typically under 5 minutes for feature-length scripts (~128 scenes).

2: Can I clean up AI-generated breakdowns?
Yes. You can edit tags, merge tags, delete and add new elements, and manage categories using the Summary and Report views.

3: Can AI help detect script formatting or continuity issues?
This feature is under consideration. Requested features include flagging inconsistent character names or improper sluglines before the breakdown begins.

SCHEDULING

4: How does Filmustage handle scheduling?
It offers classic 3-layered sorting based on day/night, CAST ID, and locations, as well as AI-assisted sorting based on your custom rules. You can define constraints (e.g., “group scenes with Actor X first”).

5: Can I optimize a schedule based on DOODs before budgeting?
Yes. You can add day breaks automatically to generate your DOODs, and edit or delete unnecessary day breaks to tailor the schedule before proceeding to budgeting.

6: If I update the script, will the schedule remain intact?
Scene sorting is preserved. You may need to re-add day breaks either automatically or manually.

BUDGETING

7: What’s the accuracy level of AI budgeting?
It generates rough budgets using real-world rates, union data, and breakdown context. Human review and adjustments are recommended.

8: Can I input a target budget and let Filmustage allocate funds accordingly?
Soon! “Reverse budgeting” is on the roadmap. You’ll be able to set a target (e.g., $26,500,000) and let AI suggest allocations.

9: Can I enter union rates manually (e.g., SAG Ultra Low, IATSE tiers, EP Paymaster)?
Yes. You may enter any rates or fringes manually. All fringes will be saved to your profile. You can also save your budget with all rates and financial data as a template for future projects.

10: Can I flag and calculate tax credit–qualifiable budget items separately?
Not yet, but support for tax incentives, flagging, and localization is in active development.

11: Does Filmustage support flexible budget tiers like Tier 1A vs Tier 2?
Budget tier fit evaluation is coming soon. You’ll be able to set a tier target and adjust accordingly.

12: Can I pressure-test a budget based on comps or benchmarks?
Not yet — but soon, you’ll be able to upload supporting documentation and reference projects to improve financial assumptions.

13: Can screenwriters use Filmustage to prep pitches and budgets?
Yes. Screenwriters can generate basic breakdowns, schedules, and budgets for pitching or self-producing.

EXPORT & INTEGRATION

14: Can I export my project to Movie Magic Budgeting (MMB)?
Full MMB export is on the roadmap. Currently, you can export Excel spreadsheets with active formulas. MMB compatibility is a top priority.

15: Can I export Filmustage budgets into local film commission templates (e.g., for EU tax credit applications)?
Custom Excel exports are supported. You can create custom templates to match formatting needs. Official templates for commissions may be supported in future updates.

16: Is team collaboration possible?
Yes. You may share any project info — including budgeting — with your colleagues. Team access is supported with up to 10 collaborators per project (more are available on the Enterprise plan). You can also export to PDF, .fdx, .xlsx, .sex, and more.

VFX & ANIMATION

17: What can the Visual Effects (VFX) breakdown tool do?
It identifies VFX sequences, categorizes effects (e.g., explosions, laser blasts), and exports to .xlsx format to fit your bidding lists. You can also use custom prompts to identify scenes with specified effects only.

18: Are animated films supported?
Yes. The VFX module is being extended to support animated features. It extracts animation sequences based on your custom parameters.

DATA SOURCING & AI LEARNING

19: Where does Filmustage get its rates and data?
From official union sources, global vendor databases, and real-world partner data. It does not learn from your private inputs or projects.

20: Can I train the system with my own templates and rates?
Yes. You can save custom budget templates — including fringes, categories, and rates — for future reuse.

21: Does Filmustage learn from my past projects?
No. Your data is fully private by default and is not used to train any global models. However, you can save your own templates to streamline future projects.

🔜 In the future, we plan to offer an optional, opt-in feature allowing users to contribute anonymized budgeting data to improve accuracy and recommendations — especially useful for location-based rates and production patterns. This will only be implemented with full transparency and user control.