Are you going to shoot on-location or in-studio? Can you borrow your recording gear or will you need to rent it? How much will you need to spend on food and transportation to keep your crew happy? Those are just a few of the questions creators need to consider when putting together a critical component of any project: the budget!

On this episode of First Frame, hosts Cameron Zinger and Jennifer Park sit down with two creators who have plenty of experience with budgets big and small: producer and filmmaker Nicolas Ayerbe Barona, who is also Senior Program Manager, TELUS STORYHIVE On Location, Livestreaming and Editions; and Maddy Chang, a producer and Senior Production Coordinator at the National Film Board of Canada. Together, they explore how creators can maximize their budgets without compromising on quality, and break down the line items that are more expendable, as well as the ones to guard with your life. They also explore how connecting with your creative community is a great way to share resources and reduce costs, regardless of the size and scope of your project.