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Development Fees For Writers On The Rise Amid Depressed TV Buying: “We Call It Schmuck Insurance”
In a trend that took hold after the strike, many writers are earning a fee ranging from $5K-$25K to develop a pitch for a series.
Writers spend time to prepare what is referred to as “development material,” which they use during the pitch meetings to better present their vision for the series with the goal of securing a buyer. And, with overall deals also drying up and staffing jobs harder to find amid a decline in U.S.-made original scripted series post-Peak TV, there are lot of writers struggling to support their lifestyles with house, car and private school tuition payments who are no longer willing to spend a considerable amount of time developing pitches for free. Also, because the script fees are not guaranteed in “if come” deals, some production companies and studios put some premium on them, sweetening the offers to writers in lieu of upfront money.
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