Negative cost is the net expense to produce and shoot a film, excluding such expenditures as distribution and promotion.[1]
Low-budget movies, for example The Blair Witch Project, can have promotional expenses that are much larger than the negative cost.[2]
The term comes from the costs up to the production of the final negative.
References
- ^ Barnes & Noble Glossary http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/glossary.asp?z=y<R=N&TRM=1007105 Retrieved 2007-02-12
- ^ IMDb Explanation for differences in reported budget https://www.imdb.com/help/show_leaf?boxofficedifferent Retrieved 2007-02-12