TV Pilot Production Costs

The Timeline for Making a TV Series

• The process of making a TV series typically takes about 12-16 months, with 25 steps involved.
• The key players in the process are the writer (show-runner), the studio (production division of a media company), and the network or cable company (domestic television distributor).
• The studio pays for the cost of making the series, while the network or cable company contributes by paying a license fee to air the series.
• Sometimes the studio and the network are part of the same company, as media companies aim for horizontal integration.
• The steps in the process include developing the pitch, pitching to the studio, pitching to networks or cable companies, outlining and writing the pilot, getting feedback and making revisions, shooting the pilot, and reviewing and testing the pilots for audience reaction.
• The network or cable company then announces which pilots will receive a series order, and the series is staffed with additional writers and crewed for production.
• The air date is set, and the pilot or first episode premieres.
• Variations in the process include skipping the pilot order and going straight to series production, and ordering a full season of episodes instead of a pilot.
• Common phrases in the industry include "script order," "put pilot," "pilot order," "cast-contingent order," and "direct to series order."
• Creating a TV show involves developing a captivating pitch, writing the pilot script, assembling the creative elements, and producing the pilot.
• The pilot is crucial as it determines the future of the series and has a significant impact on careers, jobs, and finances.
• The team is put together, casting is done, and the pilot is filmed, with a race to complete the production.

Test your knowledge about TV pilot production costs and strategies with this quiz! Learn why studios and networks use cast-contingencies clauses and how they minimize their financial risks. Discover the concept of low-budget pilots and 'proof of concept' presentations. Find out why most TV shows struggle to recoup their production costs.