Under-ordering prop cash is one of the most common last-minute production scrambles — a duffel bag that reads as "half full" on a wide shot rarely fixes itself with clever framing. Before you place an order, work backwards from the shot list.
Rules of thumb our studio uses with production designers: - Close-up counting scenes: 1–2 strapped stacks is usually enough — the camera only ever sees the top and edges. - Duffel bag or briefcase reveals: budget 10–20 stacks depending on bag size, since empty space reads immediately on camera. - Vault or heist wide shots: 50+ stacks, often supplemented with background-only "filler" bundles that never get a close-up. - Table-toss or "money rain" sequences: order in bulk and expect some wear — this is the one scenario where cheaper stock is actually the right call.
Our bundle-size selector scales from a Starter Stack right up to 100-Stack bulk orders, and organisations like Ausfilm publish general Australian production-budgeting resources worth reviewing alongside your prop list if this is your first local shoot.
