Q.
I've seen other programs for hundreds of dollars more.
How can EASY BUDGET do what the more expensive programs do?
A.
EASY BUDGET not only does what the expensive programs do, but it
does even more, and it's easier to use too.
We just don't think anyone should pay
that much money! The expensive,
well-known program you're referring to is based on decade-old programming
and a very user-unfriendly interface. Many of our users had already
bought the $700.00 program, then discovered Easy Budget.
Like thousands of other production professionals, try Easy Budget
and you'll quickly agree too.
back to top
|
| |
Q.
Will I have to learn new commands and key strokes to use EASY BUDGET?
A.
No. EASY BUDGET uses the same familiar
interface you already have with your existing spreadsheet
software. Our simple fill-in-the-blanks approach
makes it even easier! Although EASY
BUDGET is an extremely powerful program, you don't need to do
anything special to use it.But, you'll have to learn a bunch of special key stroke combinations
to use the other programs. You may also need to buy training CD's
or pay to attend special classes before you feel comfortable with
the older, more expensive program. back to top
|
| |
Q.
It
looks complicated! How do I know where I should enter something
and where I shouldn't?
A.
EASY BUDGET makes this...well...easy. Every account in EASY BUDGET is color
coded. Wherever you see the color blue, you can enter information.
Anything in black is a figure EASY BUDGET calculates for you.
After you've set certain global values
(i.e.;fringe
benefit rates, length of shoot, etc.), EASY BUDGET automatically
applies the correct values where they belong. You
can obtain the labor-related information free-of-charge from our website.
back to top
|
| |
Q.
Once I create my budget, can I print out a presentation
quality document?
A.
Of course, printing quality ultimately depends on your spreadsheet program and your
printer's capabilities. If your spreadsheet is correctly configured
for your printer, you'll be pleased with the excellent results.
You won't hesitate to show it to distributors, producers, investors
or a bonding company.
back to top
|
| |
Q.
I've used other budget programs that have "crashed"
and I lost my work. Will I have this problem with EASY BUDGET?
A.
By using a spreadsheet program, you can rely on the powerful and proven track record of
these successful programs and have little worry that your hard work
will be "crashed." In addition, these well documented programs support
hundreds of different printers and have extensive on-line help.
Many existing versions of the well-known $700.00 program use an
older 16 bit technology which is not 100% compatible with today's
operating systems. If you have this program, remember to save your
work often!
back to top
|
| |
Q.
Tell me about the "Production Tips" included with EASY
BUDGET?
A.
The EASY BUDGET
Instruction manual (for either Feature Films
or Commercials),
includes numerous time and money saving secrets.
If you're new to
film budgeting, these are important pieces of information which
would take years to learn. All this valuable experience
is yours to use...without learning the "hard way."
Even experienced
pros will learn a few new tricks by using these clever suggestions.
back to top
|
| |
Q.
Does Easy Budget handle labor unions easily?
A.
Yes, EASY BUDGET
deals with all entertainment-related labor unions including: SAG,
DGA, WGA, NABET, IAT&SE and the Teamsters.
Simply type in the basic rates and percentages where indicated and
EASY BUDGET does the rest. EASY BUDGET can include or exclude
any group. And now, registered EASY BUDGET users have exclusive
access to our extensive database of current guild and union labor
rates. Unlike the $700.00 program, with EASY BUDGET you only have
to set these once and they are automatically applied throughout
the entire budget. What takes a few seconds to accomplish in EASY
BUDGET might take hours with other programs.back to top
|
| |
Q.
What does it mean when you say that EASY BUDGET makes
labor calculations "intelligently"?
A.
The EASY BUDGET
program contains complex programming which analyzes the information
you provide and determines if a change is needed.
For instance,
EASY BUDGET "knows" that it's cheaper to hire a SAG actor on a weekly
contract rather than a daily contract if you use the same actor
for more than a certain number of days. This often results in a
major cost savings and helps you plan your production better.
After
an actor has signed a daily contract, you can't go back and require
them to sign a weekly one.back to top
|
| |
Q.
Is it difficult to figure sales tax on items that need
to be purchased?
A.
No, EASY BUDGET knows when and where sales tax needs to be paid and includes it for you.
This takes a lot more time with other programs which require
you to manually add sales tax or VAT.
back to top
|
| |
Q.
Is there an easy way to know the Grand Total from
anywhere in the program?
A.
Yes, the running total is always displayed at the top corner of your screen in the
Feature Films version, and along the bottom of the screen in the
Commercials version (including individual page totals).
Add two days to your shooting schedule and the change is instantly
displayed. Increase on-set catering by 25 cents per meal and see
instantly the change to your bottom line.
EASY BUDGET makes these complex
calculations on a global basis...no need to adjust every single
account and navigate through three levels of detail like other programs.back to top
|
| |
Q.
What can I do if I'm not working with unions?
A.
Although EASY BUDGET
is optimized for guild and union labor, it easily accepts any union
or non-union configuration...or combinations of both.
Remember,
EASY BUDGET was designed by real
independent-minded filmmakers, not accountants,
studio bean counters or
computer nerds.back to top
|
| |
Q.
Can I share my budget or different version of my budgets
with others?
A.
Yes. In fact, EASY BUDGET files are so small they can be attached to emails as an added
convenience. Even if the other party doesn't have a spreadsheet,
they can download a spreadsheet "viewer" free-of-charge
from Microsoft. After
30 days, the emailed budget is still viewable, but will become
Read Only. With the older, more expensive
program, whomever you share your budget with MUST have the
same, or a newer version of your program in order to view your budget.
GOOD LUCK!back to top
|
| |
Q.
I have a Macintosh computer.
A. GOOD! Both the Feature Film and Commercial versions of EASY BUDGET are available for Macintosh.
It's important to note that our Macintosh versions were created
as Macintosh versions and not simply "ported" from
one operating system to another. (Note: If your're
running MAC OSX, make sure you have updated to at least version
10.2 for best results.)
back to top
|
| |
Q.
What about technical support?
A. Registered users are entitled to
technical support by phone at (818)458-0827.
We also can help you via email:
support1 at easy-budget.com
and through our website if you live outside the U.S. Registering
your copy of EASY BUDGET is important not only for technical
support, but registered users are the first to know about upgrades
and new versions. Minor upgrades
are available FREE to registered users. Only
registered users have access to our guild and union labor rates
database.
back to top
|
| |
|
Q.
What's the Union and Guild labor database?
A.
Making a movie with union or guild technicians often means dealing with DOZENS of different
labor organizations. Obtaining the correct information can be an
overwhelming, time consuming task. (Even more difficult
if you don't happen to live in downtown Hollywood.)
To make
this crucial part of the budgeting process a little easier, EASY
BUDGET has created an extensive web-based database which contains
all the labor information you'll need to prepare your initial budget.
THIS
INFORMATION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED EASY BUDGET OWNERS.
Simply type in your EASY BUDGET product serial number and you'll
have instant access to the database. Remember to use this information
for preliminary budgeting purposes only. Prior to your production
start you'll have to contact the unions directly for the latest
information. The rate you negotiate may be better than the rates
shown in our database.
back to top
|
| |
Q. Does Easy Budget work with Windows
VISTA?
A. Yes. Easy Budget works great with
Windows VISTA.
back to top
|
Home
