Beyond The Budget

Cast & Crew Presents
Cast & Crew Presents
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Real talk from production accountants about what it takes to keep a project on track. From budgeting to tax incentives, this series shares how the money side of production really works.

Episodes

  1. Jul 28

    What Running Production Finance on ‘Ted Lasso’ Actually Looks Like

    Thirty years in freelance production finance, and she's never once been out of work. Ann-Marie Fitzgerald has been the production controller on some of the most recognized productions in the world.  In this episode of Beyond the Budget, she sits down with Bishop Porter to discuss exactly what that career looks like up close. They cover the differences between a production accountant, a financial controller, and a production controller. Ann-Marie shares why television can be even more complex than film, how digital tools have transformed workflows, and why reading scripts is just as important as reading budgets. Key insights from this episode: The three levels of production finance and what each one owns How to build an accounts team that can handle anythingHow DPO and PSL integration speeds up cost reporting Chapters:(00:00) Meet Ann-Marie(04:23) Working on “Ted Lasso” (10:59) Building and teaching your team(12:24) Going all-in on DPO and PSL integration(21:43) What makes a chaotic production run smoother(22:52) What the numbers tell you about people Follow us on our socials:Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrewInstagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews

  2. May 20

    She Worked on Saving Private Ryan & Crazy Rich Asians—Here’s How

    One moment, you’re standing next to Hollywood talent. Next, you’re sorting through stacks of receipts and chasing numbers that have to add up. After 30 years in film accounting, Lisa Kim-Kuan has seen it all. In this episode of Beyond the Budget, Bishop Porter sits down with Lisa to walk through her career—from her early days working in production accounting to becoming a financial controller on major films like “Saving Private Ryan” and “Crazy Rich Asians”. She shares what it’s like managing multiple currencies and time zones, and how integrated tools like PSL+ and DPO help keep teams aligned no matter where they are in the world. Key insights from this episode: How digital purchase orders speed up workflows What it takes to keep global production teams in syncHow to keep calm under pressure in production accounting Chapters:(00:00) Meet Lisa Kim-Kuan(05:01) Learning production accounting the hard way(09:14) Then vs now: from manual to digital workflows(11:47) How “Crazy Rich Asians” found Henry Golding(14:05) On the set of “Saving Private Ryan”(17:32) Working across the globe and joining Netflix(24:40) Adapting to different production teams Follow us on our socials: Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/ LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/ X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews

  3. Apr 14

    Life Inside the Fast-Moving World of Film Payroll

    For decades, film payroll ran on paper timecards and long nights in the accounting office. Today, digital tools have changed that.  In this episode of Beyond the Budget, Bishop Porter chats with Amy Winfrey, a seasoned payroll accountant who has worked on high-profile films like “Thunderbolts” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”   With over 20 years of experience managing payroll for large-scale international productions, Amy opens up about her transition from working in a movie theater to becoming a film industry payroll expert. She discusses the crucial role payroll plays in keeping the cast and crew paid accurately and on time, and how the digital revolution has transformed the way payroll is managed. Amy shares her belief that to thrive in this industry, it’s imperative to stay adaptable and continue learning.  Key insights from this episode:  The role of technology in modern payroll solutions Why digital tools became indispensable during the pandemic The growing need to train the next generation of payroll professionals Chapters: (00:00) Meet Amy Winfrey(01:02) From movie theater to payroll accounting(06:30) Small productions vs big-budget films(08:12) The shift to digital payroll during COVID(12:43) Union contracts and payroll complexity(17:18) Amy’s film trivia quiz(18:55) Digital payroll workflows on modern productions(27:05) Rapid-fire questions with Amy Follow us on our socials:   Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/   Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew   Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/   LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/   X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews

  4. Feb 18

    He Went From Building Sets To Setting Budgets for Hollywood Films

    It’s not every day that a big Hollywood movie is shooting in your town. When you're offered a job on set, you take it—no questions asked. That’s how Jamie Hinton went from working in carpentry to diving headfirst into the world of production finance.   In this episode of Beyond the Budget, Bishop Porter speaks with Jamie about his journey from a background PA to becoming a production finance executive overseeing multi-million-dollar movie budgets at Netflix and Paramount. He also reflects on the industry’s digital transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to freelance work after years of in-house work, and why adaptability is no longer optional in modern production.  Key insights from this episode:  What studio work teaches you about the full life cycle of a project Why communication & reputation matter as much as technical skill Tips for navigating the fast-paced world of film production accounting   Chapters: (00:00) Meet Jamie Hinton  (02:08) Working on “The Patriot”   (04:27) Moving to New York and stepping into first and key roles  (09:29) Understanding the full studio life cycle  (13:04) Pop quiz about Jamie’s film history  (17:15) COVID and the push toward digital production finance  (18:19) Why Jamie pursued an MBA mid-career  (21:29) Balancing creative ambition with financial constraints  (26:50) Rapid-fire questions with Jamie    Follow us on our socials:  Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew  Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/  LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/  X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews

  5. Jan 14

    Building a Career in Production Finance Without Connections

    How far can one cold email take you? Turns out… pretty far.  In this episode of Beyond the Budget, Bishop Porter sits down with Tim McDaniel, a production accountant who broke into the entertainment industry with zero connections—just persistence and a willingness to start at the bottom.  That one cold email landed him a gig on “Southland” and kickstarted a career that’s led to major projects like “Euphoria,” “Big Little Lies,” “Insecure,” and “The Sympathizer”. Tim shares the realities of leading finance teams on high-stakes productions, how he adapted during the industry's shift to digital workflows, and why training the next generation of crew is one of the most important parts of the job.  Key insights from this episode:  How production experience builds better accountants Adapting to digital workflows post-COVID What it takes to manage a team on a high-stakes show  Chapters: (00:00) Meet Tim McDaniel  (03:06) Getting started in film through cold calls and unpaid internships  (04:14) Transitioning from production to accounting  (10:18) Teaching the next generation through IATSE training programs  (13:46) How COVID accelerated the shift to digital  (18:12) Managing remote teams and finding your stride  (22:19) How to break into the industry and get hired  (26:19) Rapid-fire questions with Tim    Follow us on our socials:  Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew  Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/  LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/  X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews

  6. 09/12/2025

    From Guarding Batman to Budgeting Boba Fett With Brad Field

    Brad Field traded combat boots for call sheets, building a career that took him from the US military to blockbuster sets like “Bird Box,” “Knives Out,” and “The Book of Boba Fett.”   In this episode of Beyond the Budget, Bishop Porter talks with Brad about his unexpected journey into production accounting, from serving as a security detail on “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” to clerking in Boston and eventually managing multimillion-dollar budgets.  Brad shares lessons learned on both studio features and indie films, why incentives and attention to detail matter, and how platforms like PSL+ and MediaWeb change the job. He also reflects on working alongside his wife, a production supervisor on “The Mandalorian and Ahsoka,” and offers advice for anyone trying to break into the business.  Key insights from this episode:  How military logistics translate to production workflows Tips for taking your first lead accountant role Why low-budget projects build high-level skills   Chapters: (00:00) Meet Brad Field  (01:15) How security jobs led to Hollywood  (03:41) Breaking into accounting through data entry  (06:06) Lessons from clerking on big features  (08:26) Making the leap to second assistant  (10:13) What to expect when keying indies  (12:57) Managing payroll solo on a flipped show  (18:19) Why hard work creates lasting momentum  (21:26) Rapid fire with Brad Field    Follow us on our socials:  Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew  Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/  LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/  X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews

  7. 07/10/2025

    Staying the Course in an Evolving Industry With Amy Wohl

    Behind every successful TV series is a carefully managed budget.  In this episode of Beyond the Budget, production accountant Amy Wohl takes us through the art of block budgeting. This strategy ensures that large-scale productions stay financially on track. She shares her expertise on how block budgeting differs from the dynamic, fast-paced budgets of streaming platforms. Amy reflects on the industry’s pre-COVID days, sharing how production accounting has evolved since then.  Key insights from this episode: How block budgeting impacts production scheduling and spendingNetworking tips for aspiring production accountantsKey differences between half-hour and one-hour TV shows Chapters:(00:00) Meet Amy Wohl  (03:36) The stability of freelance production accounting  (05:47) Half-hour vs one-hour budgeting differences (07:12) TV trivia and more (09:16) Shooting episode blocks (12:48) Connections in the entertainment industry Follow us on our socials: Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/ LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/ X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews

  8. 06/24/2025

    The Hidden Role That Keeps Hollywood Running With Bishop Porter

    In production accounting, no two days are the same. Budgets shift, schedules twist, and high stakes keep everyone on their toes. For Bishop Porter, that fast pace is exactly what makes the job exciting.  In this episode of Beyond the Budget, Alex George chats with Bishop Porter about her journey from traditional corporate accounting to the dynamic world of film and TV production accounting.  Key insights from this episode:  How creativity influences the role of an accountant in entertainment Why connecting with a wide range of personalities matters How to thrive when priorities change at a moment’s notice Chapters:  (00:00) Meet Bishop Porter  (01:31) How Bishop got started in production accounting  (02:28) Leaving corporate for the film industry  (03:17) Taking a leap to work on an indie film in Shreveport  (05:10) Blending creativity with numbers  (07:15) Skills needed in production accounting  (09:08) The difference between corporate accounting and production accounting  (11:16) Overcoming unexpected challenges     Follow us on our socials:  Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew  Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/  LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/  X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews

  9. 06/10/2025

    Inside the Fast-Paced World of Production Accounting With Chuck Hurley

    You need a little faith to work in production payroll. Jobs come and go, schedules shift, and there are no guarantees. That can be scary, especially when you’re starting out. But Chuck Hurley made the leap almost 15 years ago… and he’s never looked back. In this episode of Beyond the Budget, Bishop Porter talks to Chuck Hurley about how he got his start in production accounting and built a steady career in the industry. Chuck shares how his success came from being present, asking questions, and learning through experience. Key insights from this episode: Why adaptability matters more than perfectionHow production payroll has evolved since COVIDAdvice for anyone starting out in entertainment accountingChapters: (00:00) Meet Chuck Hurley (01:22) Landing a job on your favorite TV show (03:59) The fast-paced nature of production accounting (04:56) How COVID changed production accounting (07:24) Advice for aspiring PAs Follow us on our socials: Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/ LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/ X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews

  10. 05/27/2025

    Tips on Building a Career in Production Accounting With Marvin Hernandez

    With multi-million dollar budgets at stake, production accountants are behind every successful production. In Beyond the Budget, Bishop Porter meets with Marvin Hernandez, a production accountant with over 15 years of experience. They discuss the vital role production accountants play in keeping productions running smoothly and on budget. Key insights from this episode: Marvin’s journey from a finance runner to a lead production accountantNavigating remote teams and digital workflowsThe value of building lasting relationships in the industryChapters: (00:00) Meet Marvin Hernandez  (02:21) Overcoming challenges on location shoots (04:19) Embracing digital workflows (06:14) A necessary skill for accountants (07:38) Advice for aspiring production accountants Follow us on our socials: Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/ LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/ X: https://x.com/CastAndCrewNews

  11. 05/22/2025

    This is Beyond the Budget

    This is Beyond the Budget, powered by Cast & Crew. Here we will bring you real talk from production accountants about what it takes to keep a project on track. From budgeting to tax incentives, this series shares how the money side of production really works.

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    10 Episodes

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Real talk from production accountants about what it takes to keep a project on track. From budgeting to tax incentives, this series shares how the money side of production really works.

Information

  • Channel
    Cast & Crew Presents
  • Creator
    Cast & Crew
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cast & Crew

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