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

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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

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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 spending
• Networking tips for aspiring production accountants
• Key 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

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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

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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 perfection
• How production payroll has evolved since COVID
• Advice for anyone starting out in entertainment accounting

Chapters:

(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

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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 accountant
• Navigating remote teams and digital workflows
• The value of building lasting relationships in the industry

Chapters:

(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

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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.