Screenwriting : Cost by Alexa Samilton

Well...you probably don't know how much each line item would cost, if you've never done it and have no experience at it. That's what professional line producers do - but you can find budget templates at www.studiobinder.com, and at www.lineproducing.com

Best fortunes in your creative (and budgeting) endeavors, Alexa!

As a writer, don't worry about the budget. Just write the script you want to write. Tell the best story you can with the right characters. After it sells, it's someone else's job to figure out the money.

Budgets are set in negotiations between the studio/production company and the network. And even after the budget is set, a creative Show Runner and skilled Line Producer will work to shape the structure of the season to amortize certain costs, put in savings for protected elements and know how to put every dollar on the screen.

And even then, if the network and studio really want a project to work, they'll find a way. I remember walking into a line producer's office once. We were going $400,000 over budget every episode on a $3Million/episode budget. The guy was bald and as he rubbed his hands against his bald head and dragged them back as if squeezing the pain out of his brain he said these words in regards to the writers: "I have told the studio to stop sending money. It's only encouraging them!"

I will say, we had fun on the show. Even if we were cancelled after only eight episodes.

David Trotti thank you for the great advice! I am excited with this new journey I have come across. I am great full for everyone’s help on here so far. The people I have camera cross are pretty knowledgeable and have words of wisdom! May I ask what TV series you were apart of?

To protect the innocent - and the guilty - I'll plead the Fifth on actually naming which show. But look for short lived shows on my credits and you'll probably come across it.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1270422/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Alexa: David is spot on. You have enough to worry about just with getting your story and your script elements on point; the last thing you should be thinking of at this stage is the budget.

David Trotti I’m going to check it out! Lol Thank you for all of your help!!

Phil Clarke Great, I’m super excited about this! Ill focus on my script!

There is a production forum here. Those are your folks.

Thank you Craig D Griffiths