In this video, I will show you how to create a topsheet.

If you are starting from a template, this is pretty much done for you.

However, if you are starting with a blank budget, that is what I will show you now.

So we are going to essentially think about what we want to be on the top sheet, as in the very top level, as in how you are organizing your budget.

For this tutorial, let’s choose a few, and I am going to explain Above the Line and Below the Line.

ATL typically includes people who are involved in a capacity that affects the film outcome in terms of story, directing, acting, or producing. As in the film, they could not be made without these people; they are pivotal, and nearly all of them have a producer credit or are involved in ownership of the film.

So this line item is Direction – inside that you would have your directors and AD, usually, and Cast, ATL travel & living, normally inside this is airfare, hotel, etc., for you, cast, and producers, and the people in ATL.

And then we go BTL, or below the line

This is production staff, this is all your production crew, technical crew, etc: your camera team, lighting and grip, art, hmu, etc.

And then Talent extras, these are talent but that are below the line, as in below line 6.

And that is how you create and organize a topsheet.