How much does a series cost? by Stormwind

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

How much does a series cost?

POSTED BY: STORMWIND
UPDATED: Monday, November 13, 2006 17:05
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Friday, November 10, 2006 10:48 PM

I'm just gong to ask this straight out even though i'm sure someone has already done it.

How much money would a new series of Firefly cost to make?

Now I'm talking another thirteen episodes here, the full deal and if the first problem is money then how much?

I know that Fox has to give a green light and all but funding for a new series is surely the first step towars that green light.

Anyway let me know what you think.

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Friday, November 10, 2006 11:34 PM

CANTER

Didn't they say that the pilot cost about 2 million dollars (US)?
(sorry, can't find the dollar sign on my keyboard)

Burn the land and boil the sea...

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Saturday, November 11, 2006 1:49 AM

CHOO1701

way off, more like the $ 10 million range (was the most expensive pilot until Lost came out).

Got to think about set design (i think they'd have to re-build Serenity AGAIN, not sure if Universal kept the movie one), actor fees, production fees, insurance, technical stuff, special effects, etc.

$1 - 2 million would properbly be a normal episode.

So, yes TV is an expensive business, and the guys with the most money are always in charge (yay!!! studio exectutives

)

Still, ten million isn't THAT much right?? right?

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TRAIN!!!

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Saturday, November 11, 2006 6:19 AM

EMBERS

it isn't just the cost:
it is having a network (or cable station) that is willing to air it.

I don't think Joss is interested in being the guy who makes 'direct to DVD' cheaply made TV style shows....
maybe in the future there may be a way to do quality outside of the current set up of television,
but right now we have what we have.

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Saturday, November 11, 2006 7:31 AM

DUG

There are other issues with the direct to dvd model.

One is that series are often deficit funded in that advertising on the first showing does not cover the costs. The studio is banking on syndication and dvd sales to make the profit. Any direct model has to make the nut back upfront.

Another issue is that many good actors and actresses may shy away from a project that will not put them in as public a position as a show on tv. they have their future career to worry about as well, and may want a higher profile gig.

Need your clock cleaned? home.windstream.net/clockdug

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 10:01 AM

WHOISRIVER

Yeah, they (Universal) didn't keep the set. Aside from the cost of building it - into the millions, it is massive and complex - you'd also need somewhere to keep it up. It used the largest stage at Universal's studio lot, and as soon as they finished it was taken down, so you can imagine it ain't cheap.

I'd say, realistically, at least $5m initial setup costs, and around $2m an episode. So for 13 episodes, you'd need around $31m up front.

The actors are on other shows and things now -- Nathan is contracted exclusively to Fox, for example -- so you'd have to swap around the actors or characters to suit.

Uhm, sorry.

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 2:39 PM

BROWNCOAT555

and I think the politics goes something like this:

* Joss has (I believe) publicly stated that he will not work with FOX again.

* Nathan is contracturally bound to FOX for small screen productions.

* FOX owns the word "Firefly", at least in terms of it being the title of a show.

given that, I think the best bet for the 'Verse is for Joss to wrap up the current story on the silver screen (maybe 2 more to make it a trilogy).

And I agree with those who think Joss is probably not interested in being known as a guy who does straight-to-DVD movies as a rogue way of doing low budget television shows....nahhh.

So, in order to help sell the other movies, I think a big name star (most likely, the antagonist) would be needed to get the Suits at Universal to go for it.

Then, if the other movies are successful, it should not be a problem getting the Sci-Fi channel to pilot a miniseries for another show set in the 'Verse.

I, personally, think a P.I. show would be good. There are tons of cop shows on TV and I don't think another show featuring criminal protagonists is going to have mainstream success.

Magnum P.I. in space....that's the ticket.

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 5:41 PM

STORMWIND

Dude wicked idea- perhaps a couple of different types of series-man, am I optimistic!!!

Anyway i reckon that perhaps a series of Telemovies perhaps an hour to hour-and-a-half long would be cool for the series. They do this in Australia with a crime series called Blackjack with a guy called Colin Friels. There's been about six of them so far I think. (Not sure if it was a series or a movie first though) They tend to be fairly succesful ratings wise.

If it was going to be on anything it would have to be Fox. Joss I'm sure would get around his dislike of the station for the chance to do another series and it sure as hell can't be done without Nathan Fillion or even the title Firefly (Just wouldn't feel right.)

Anyway just some new thoughts for ya'll to mull over.

Fancied himself quite the warrior poet.....

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 11:42 PM

EVILBUNGLE

It's all about the money, if you go to fox and tell them that you want to fund another series they will listen, they have no intention of making another series and if a second series is made then at last they will get an increase of Season 1 DVD sales, available with zero risk to them.

Vote Day 1st December 2006 http://richlabonte.net/tvvote/index.html
Together we will triumph.

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Monday, November 13, 2006 12:48 AM

ASARIAN

Quote:
Originally posted by Choo1701:

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Just want to say I'm very impressed with your banner. The composition and blending are truly outstanding.

--
"Mei-mei, everything I have is right here." -- Simon Tam

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Monday, November 13, 2006 1:11 AM

BABYWITHTHEPOWER

Quote:
Originally posted by Browncoat555:
* Nathan is contracturally bound to FOX for small screen productions.

If this is the case, how was Nathan on LOST? Last time I checked that show's owned and aired on ABC.

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Monday, November 13, 2006 1:37 PM

KINGJAYNE

According to Done the Impossible, Serenity (pilot) cost $10 mill and Fox gave up $20 mill for the series (although this was for a full series).

With Inflation and having to purchase the rights from Fox I'd guess $30 mill to be conservative

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Monday, November 13, 2006 5:05 PM

MUTT

What about "Into the black"? the little indy firefly universe series being made in canada? Check out the website, its cool as, but thats definately a forum in which a firelfy type show could be continued with. I just cant figure out why there isnt a hundred firefly-type shows under development, i mean, the whole premise is that its 'on the cheap', that theres nothing fancy that whirs or beeps, it all clunks and groans; they all ride horses and use modern day guns. I know that a full-bore tv series is expensive, but if you go into it thinking 'lets make it cheaply' im positive it could be done. Most editiing/video equipment is not more than a few grand these days, and computer graphics get easier daily!

just a thought

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