Quote: Nigel Ball @ February 13 2013, 9:35 PM GMTOr is that a completely different kettle of fish with a different price tag?
http://www.writersguild.org.uk/images/stories/wggb-docs/BBC-TV-Rates-2011-2012.pdf
Money and sitcoms Page 2
Surely not for The Office? He was a complete unknown when he started it.
apart from the seven series he'd previously worked on, including one with his name in the title!
I'll ask for £10,000 and be prepared to negotiate, then.
Oh, I wouldn't give them that much. Can you afford it?
Haha!
Quote: Stephen Goodlad @ February 15 2013, 9:03 AM GMTI did a 'Writers Bureau' course 15 years ago and then they said a commissioned new writer could expect 6K per episode.
Worth 'doing' a writers' bureau and nicking all their work!
Not sure what you mean?
Quote: Stephen Goodlad @ February 20 2013, 1:37 PM GMTNot sure what you mean?
Dictionary.com Do (verb) 24. To rob, steal from.
Ah, it took a while (me that is)
And a bureau is just a writing desk, isn't it? Easy to break into with a bent paper clip.
As in most jobs, rates are negotiable depending on experience and differing deals are struck regarding rights etc etc. But a new writer, at the BBC, gets about 5 grand per episode. If it's BBC1 or BBC2, you get paid that twice. Half of a script fee upfront to write the script, the other half paid on acceptance, then 100% of the fee again on the first day of principal photography. Digital channels work differently and ITV and C4 pay more, I hear.
That's exactly the information I was looking for, Lee! Is it the same deal if you're doing it via an independent production company, and it ends up on BBC1 or BBC2?
Quote: beaky @ February 21 2013, 2:12 PM GMTThat's exactly the information I was looking for, Lee! Is it the same deal if you're doing it via an independent production company, and it ends up on BBC1 or BBC2?
I have a mate currently developing a sitcom with a well-known Indie for BBC1. She got paid the standard fee. As I say, it can vary though. As somebody above said, if you're Ricky Gervais you'll be getting a LOT more. Although there is a ceiling.
It always bugs me that the subject of money made from TV writing is treated as a bit gauche and best left alone. There's this ever-present feeling that you should be doing it for the love of it and be grateful to be involved in the industry at all. I say balls to that, I want to write AND not starve thanks very much. It's probably too much to ask but that's what I'm asking.
The ideal would be to be able to support yourself on writing only (i.e. not having to supplement it with another PT/FT job).
Anything above the financial level of "supporting yourself" is a bonus really.
That said, the real best thing is for your creation to be read/seen by many people. That must be a special feeling (unless its shit).
Obviously I agree with you,Lee - hence this thread! I was afraid some people would think me rather a vulgar fellow to have mentioned the subject...what I really want to know is how much would the Indie pay upfront for a script, before they even got a broadcaster interested? I've just had an option taken for a sitcom, and am waiting for them to send me a contract, so there might be some negotiating to do...