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Budget
Shooting days per episode will varie between 8 to 10 days based on current Tv series and "Quantum Leap":
"Games of Thrones" average 2 weeks : They shoot on different locations just like we would but have different crew per location which might not always be possible here due to the 3 stars.
"Quantum Leap" shot an average of 8 days per episode.
"Westworld" shot 8 to 10 days per episode.
Budget for pilot is based on estimates.
Lead actress and actors average income varie between $250,000 to $500,000 per episode.
The main character Sarah appears at different ages. Therefore, the lead actress will only appear on minute 38 of the pilot.
15 other secondary characters need to be added to the budget at an average of $15,000 per episode.
Director's salary can varie from $65,000 to $150,000 per episode. We won't have the same director per episode.
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The pilot has been written without breaks for commercials to be presented to a cable network such as HBO but can be modified and shortened if need be.
Various filming locations will have an effect on budget.
19 pages (3 days) in South Africa
25 pages in studio (4 days)
18 pages in studio with Visual Effects (3 days)
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Visual effects will varie per episode: some (like Sci Fi ones) requiring much more than others.
The pilot needs 18 minutes of special effects. Calculating again based on Game of Thrones budget, It cost them $800,000 for 10 minutes but the Visuel effects will not be as extensive in "Soul Searching". I would say, it would require about $1,000,000 for the pilot's special effects.
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Due to the success of series like "Westworld" and "Game of Thrones" which invested millions in special effects ($25 Million and $10 Million total budget per pilot), we can extrapolate that TV series with elaborate special effects succeed well on cable networks.
Tax incentives, rebates will varie per show
As a Canadian screenwriter and Producer, this production might benefit from substantial tax credits from the Canadian federal and provincial governments.
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A typical TV Pilot including the amount of visual effect needed in "Soul Searching" ranges from $8 to $10 Million per Episode
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