Most filmmakers and producers make the big mistake of overlooking the CCSL cost of the delivery process and sometimes don’t save enough money for it in the budget. Here are 5 things a filmmaker can do to get ahead of the game:

#1 - Don’t ask your distributor or sales agent for a custom CCSL format.

If you have a distributor or a sales agent, don’t let them pick the CCSL format. Why? They’ll pick the most expensive one. If they provide you with an example or custom style, it often will look like our STYLE 5F. Click on the link and scroll down. Yes, we and others are happy to do that format, but it’s more expensive because our transcribers are trained on our templates and they do them over and over. Try and sell your distributor or sales agent on one of our formats. You’ll save money and it will go faster and be more accurate.

#2 - Avoid “Footage and Frames” in your contract.

If you don’t already have a sales contract, make sure this language is not included. Unless you are going overseas in a major way, you don’t need this. Most filmmakers are focused on domestic release anyway. If you are a big budget film with worldwide aspirations, then yes. How many of you have 55 million dollar budgets? If you do, then call us, we’ll send the limo. Otherwise, odds are you’re a low budget filmmaker and every dollar counts.

#3 - Don’t give your your CCSL provider only 3 days to deliver.

Yes, we’re good and so are others, but CCSL’s are tedious to begin with. They take time. There is a lot of information that has to be captured. We usually request 10 business days to deliver and most organizations do, sometimes more.

#4 - Getting CCSL Quotes? Go with time tested experience.

Half the quotes you get will send your media overseas. This is bad for two reasons: A: Every language is embedded with endless nuance and slang and people can only know what’s in their ‘language library’. B: Are you really ready to send your precious media to a country with sketchy laws on intellectual property? Good luck.

#5 - Don’t Do It Yourself

Anyone have a grandmother that asks you why all those people are needed in the credits? What’s a ‘best boy’ anyway? Do you really think you’ll convince her that the job is important? If you want to do the CCSL yourself, that’s fine, we’ll direct or edit your film. After all, anyone can do it, right?