How does a director or crew member get familiar with Budgets and Cost Reports?

I’ve been a Production Auditor for 20 years and I’ve NEVER shown a crewmember a Final Budget or a

Weekly Cost Report (the universally standard financial report card issued to the Financiers and Producers every week) in that entire time. They are considered sacrosanct by Studio

Executives, Financiers and Bonding Companies everywhere.

Well, I’m about to tease you with some relevant articles that will open the door enough to let you walk through. They’re written for the complete novice, so be patient if you’ve already been exposed to budgets and cost reports. Remember, the articles are techniques on being FAMILIAR enough with budgets and cost reports to be able to ‘Direct the Money’.