Lessons

When adding a new project in FilmToolz, you can select a FilmToolz system cost estimate template, any previously saved template or upload a cost estimate form from Excel.

The system can recognize two types of cost estimate forms. You can find examples of cost estimates and formatting instructions on the Add Project page by clicking Import.

In the pop-up window, click Upload.

The uploaded file contains 2 sheets with examples of cost estimate formatting.

In the Format 1 cost estimate, multi-level numbering is implemented by placing a lower-level item in the adjacent column in the row below. Please note that to upload all information from the file correctly, it is important to follow the cost estimate formatting rules in Excel:

• Each item must be in a new row;
• Item nesting (level) is determined by the number of column. For example, the Copyright and Related Rights item will have number 1, Script will have number 1.1, Screenplay Writer Fee will have number 1.1.1;
• The table should not have unpopulated columns between cost item and planned data columns. There must not be unpopulated columns between cost items;
• The table header is required;
• Columns “Rate per unit”, “Time Unit”, “Total Time”, “Number of Units/People”, “%CF” are required. If there is no need to import data, the cells should be left blank;
• Column "Time Unit" can contain one of the following values: blanket, episode, shooting day, month, day. Each value corresponds to a specific cost type.

In the Format 2 cost estimate, column A contains multilevel numbering.

Translate your estimate into one of the formats indicated in the file. On the Add Project page, click Import. In the pop-up window, click File and select a cost estimate you want to upload.

Your estimate will appear in the window, and you can verify if the view is correct.

Please note that you can check the cost estimate in compressed or expanded form using the item level buttons.

If everything is correct, click Save.

Next, the cost estimate will be displayed in the preview window at the bottom of the page. At this stage, if there are errors in the added cost estimate, you can re-upload the edited file using the Import button. If everything is correct, click Save to add the project. Please note that after saving you can not upload a new file in this project.

After adding a project, you can save the uploaded cost estimate as a new template. Learn more about templates in this module.