Script Breakdown & Budget Estimation for TV Production
Break down TV scripts into production budgets with department-specific line items
What You Can Do
You can convert TV scripts into comprehensive production breakdowns that identify every requirement—cast, locations, effects, equipment, and crew days—and translate them into detailed department budgets. This skill captures TV-specific variables like episode length, multi-camera vs. single-camera formats, and weekly production cycles to produce line-item budgets suitable for internal planning and investor presentations.
Features
extracts all production elements (cast, locations, special effects, stunts, equipment needs)
organizes costs by department (above-the-line, camera, grip, electric, sound, wardrobe, makeup, VFX, locations, permits)
accounts for half-hour vs. hour-long episodes, multi-camera vs. single-camera production, episodic vs. serialized scheduling
breaks costs into actionable line items with crew days, equipment rentals, and department-specific variables
applies industry-standard contingency percentages (10-20%) for budget buffers and unknowns
evaluates cost impacts of location changes, format modifications, or episode revisions
generates department breakdowns that inform crew size, positions, and day rates
Example Output
Script Breakdown Output:
Above-the-Line:
- Executive Producer: $5,000/week
- Producer: $3,500/week
- Writers (2): $2,000/week each
Production Department:
- Production Designer: $2,500/week
- Location Scout (4 weeks): $1,200/week
- Production Coordinator: $1,500/week
Camera Department:
- Director of Photography: $3,000/week
- Camera Operator: $1,800/week
- 1st AC: $1,500/week
- 2nd AC: $1,200/week
Episode-Level Budget Estimate:
- Subtotal: $287,500
- Contingency (15%): $43,125
- Total Per Episode: $330,625
Series Budget (10 episodes): $3,306,250
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file with complete workflow and guidelines:
- TV Script Breakdown Template: scene-by-scene checklist for identifying production elements
- Department Budget Line-Item Template: pre-formatted spreadsheet structure for 12+ departments
- Contingency Planning Worksheet: guidelines for applying contingency percentages by department
- Format Specification Guide: format-specific multipliers for half-hour, hour-long, and limited series episodes
- Sample Script Breakdown (5-minute scene): reference example showing element identification and budget mapping
Who It's For
- Line Producers — developing pilot and series budgets for network and streaming approval
- UPMs (Unit Production Managers) — converting scripts into crew and resource requirements
- Production Designers — estimating department costs for sets, locations, and art department needs
- Producers — comparing budget scenarios for creative decisions (location changes, format shifts)
- Production Accountants — generating initial budget frameworks before detailed cost buildup
Best For
- Pilot budget development for new series pitches and greenlight meetings
- Multi-episode budget planning for episodic TV production
- Budget impact analysis for script revisions mid-season
- Department cost allocation for crew hiring and resource planning
- Investor and network presentations requiring detailed line-item budgets
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