I am looking into buying some budgeting and scheduling software, but before doing so I was wondering if any of you could tell me the difference between Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling and EP Budgeting and Scheduling (from experience).

Since the software is really pricey I wouldn't want to buy 'the wrong one'.

The EP software is the lastest version of Movie Magic.
Entertainment Partners are the new owners of MM and they say that the software is forward and backward compatible, even though there are some issues where an imported MM budget totals slightly differently in the EP version.
E.P. had an offer until yesterday, at $ 399 each. I have seen the software for $ 700 elsewhere. Perhaps they will still give you the cheap deal if you ask.

http://www.entertainmentpartners.com/

how about any sources for an excel spreadsheet with the standard budget top sheet and breakouts? anybody have any?

thanks, marc sacco
www.zenimage.com

Budgeting and scheduling software for filmmakers...it's great.

I just bought www.junglesoftware.com - it's awesome.

Murph

thanks Murph! which version did you buy? (standard or pro?) how long have you used it? how many projects?

on a personal note...how are things in NH? any snow yet? i am looking forward to hitting the slopes with my camera again (as soon as i recover from my accident).
you can see some of my boarding footage on my demo (www.zenimage.com) this will be the first season with my xl1-s!)

anyway, i hope the biz has treated you well this year and maybe someday we'll get a chance to do a project together here in the NE!

thanks for your suggestion for the software. (i have the demo loaded and will check it out now. still looking for a cheap spreadsheet but may have to breakdown and BUY a real one!!! damn!) ;}
marc
ps. how do you guys get url links to be active on your replies? i cant do that!

I tried Gorilla a while ago, and I thought it was great. The problem for me is that some of my customers require me to be able to read their EP files. That is the only reason for me buying EP. Especially the EP budgetting sw is not very impressive at all and totally aimed at the US market, many features are useless in Europe.

Marc, that's cool we live close...we should hookup sometime. It's snowing RIGHT NOW for the first time this year! It started about 40 minutes ago...here we go.....argh!

Skiing is excellent up here in NH, so when you come let me know and maybe that's where we can hookup.

As far as the Gorilla software...it's worth it. I've just got it and started to play with it, so no real reviews here. It just seems to work welll for the $, and also has a lot of options. In addition, check out Frameforge for storyboarding. I recently got a copy of that too, and these two programs together are extremely powerful. (Final Cut, Photoshop too...all of those make one heck of a setup)

Murph