As far as I've been told, a "beginner" writer can expect to be paid about £3000-£4000 per episode (BBC), whereas a more experienced writer gets about £6000. But then of course there's repeat fees and possible merchandise percentages to be discussed.
Plus successful writers can also make a nice little sideline in script-editing. Jeremy Dyson for instance is doing a lot of that these days. Plus there's overseas royalties if you're lucky...
It all mounts up.
Quote: KJSmyling @ March 31, 2008, 3:29 PMStranger things have happened... look at the success of The Office...
kjs
No way is that stranger!
Bottom line is you need to get a MASSIVE UK hit or sell it to the US to make proper money. There are far easier ways of making your fortune, its simply not a lucrative industry in that way.
If you take Gervais as an example of someone at the top of the tree and compare him to someone with equivalent success in any other industry he comes up very short in the financial stakes!
One issue with "arty" industries is that many working their way up are not doing so from the perspective of a particularly lucrative job already......hence they see £6k an episode and think "next year we'll be millllllionaires" 
That, coupled with the high profile of the few at the top, lends it an aura of financial success that just isnt there. Certainly not when compared to other "lucrative" industries.
Quote: Antrax @ March 31, 2008, 6:38 PMNo way is that stranger!
It certainly is!
Quote: M Lewis @ March 31, 2008, 10:30 PMBottom line is you need to get a MASSIVE UK hit or sell it to the US to make proper money. There are far easier ways of making your fortune, its simply not a lucrative industry in that way.
If you take Gervais as an example of someone at the top of the tree and compare him to someone with equivalent success in any other industry he comes up very short in the financial stakes!
One issue with "arty" industries is that many working their way up are not doing so from the perspective of a particularly lucrative job already......hence they see £6k an episode and think "next year we'll be millllllionaires"
Welcome back, sir.
Is anyone here trying to make their fortune though? I just want to make a comfortable living doing it. Anything else is a Brucie Bonus.
some certainly belive it's possible. i, for one, thought it might be a more fun way to make the same money until i realised the reality.
There's no such thing as real money.
Just debt and more debt.
Aw. Now I need to hear Hugh Dennis do his debt advert schtick.
I wish I hadn't missed Mock The Week.
If Ricky Gervais has all the money, does that mean there's none left for us?
Quote: Seefacts @ March 31, 2008, 10:35 PMIs anyone here trying to make their fortune though?
When I was dabbling with writing, that was certainly high up on my list!
More to the point, how did Edwards and Tubs survive when their shop clearly never sold anything.
They supplied the meat for Hilary Briss. 
Quote: Aaron @ April 1 2008, 12:47 AM BSTWhen I was dabbling with writing, that was certainly high up on my list!
Well, there's 'fortune' and 'a nice life'. I'd settle for nice life.
Alright, well, 'settle' yeah. Fortune preferable - I need to build my house in the country!
Quote: Seefacts @ April 1 2008, 1:29 PM BSTWell, there's 'fortune' and 'a nice life'. I'd settle for nice life.
I'm with you on this one, Seefacts. I'm not bothered about becoming rich, I just want to be able to support myself by doing something I enjoy.
I believe firmly, if you have one eye on the cash your work will suffer. Why not just try to start a business or something if all your bothered about is getting rich?
Agree with you guys about just wanting to be able to do something you enjoy for a living and not have to worry about being evicted!
I'd be much happier earning half as much but writing for a living.
Dan