Share secrets here. Reality Show Cable Channel budget?

[Paul Folger]

Budget is usually a well kept secret. Does anyone out in the dvxuser community know what the budget trends are for reality shows and/or what the cable channels are paying for the shows. Is the economy affecting the amount of money cable channels are willing to pay for shows? What does a show like "Deadliest Catch" cost per episode vs say "Pitchmen?" Do the producers hire crews as employees or as freelancers/independent contractors? What are they paying crews on these shows?

There is no one way to do it but I would like to hear from some experienced producers or crew of some of the reality shows and see how it works from the budgeting end.

Thanks for any help.

Paul

[andersonnd]

Pay varies greatly depending on what network/company and show. Every production I know of hires as freelancers. People at top (especially EPs) generally have their weekly rates as well as all kinds of other added points. By crew, I assume you're talking about production? Reality generally blurs the line between production and post regarding how people are involved. Mid-level positions on shows I've worked always pay per week somewhere between $1200-2000/per. Low level more like $600-750/per week. The freelancers weekly pay generally isn't too much of a secret. Check out the job sites as they generally list pay in the ads. Regarding production budgets, that's a case by case, so I don't know you could say there are a lot of "trends" though you can usually spot the higher budgeted shows pretty quickly (Deadliest Catch would qualify as one in my book).

[Paul Folger]

Thanks andersonnd