NEWS: The Money-Thing - Again

[TwoBrainedCylon]

Just to be absolutely, 100% sure, I spoke with my contact this morning -- AGAIN, and reconfirmed -- AGAIN the money situation. I also got a lot more details regarding Skiffy plans. Despite some anti-Sandy propoganda going on throughout the net, by people who frankly shouldn't give a damn what I think, I am not trying to ruin anyone's fun. I am tryng to give an accurate description of how things are progressing (or in this case, what the thinking is).

Some details came out that I can share:

1. Skiffy is trying DESPERATELY to get away from the space sci fi genre. This was a general theme last year as everyone knows. It will be pushed much, much harder this year. This doesn't fully coincide with its programming decisions but does explain why such shows as Scare Tactics and the like are being shoved into the forefront. The description being used is that they want more "Lord of the Rings Sci-Fi" rather than "Space Sci-Fi".

2. Skiffy cut two episodes from the next season of SG-1 and will cut two episodes from the initial series of Stargate: Atlantis. I asked if this was an effort to gather money to make another series or miniseries. My contact said "No". Its because these shows are already overbudget and there isn't money to cover their production budgets.

3. Skiffy execs do not share the same definition of "Greenlighting" that Michael Hinman uses. Some folks at Skiffy caught his report after it was copied on some UK website (NFI). My contact warned me not to listen to those who claim that BSG is greenlit. It its "definitiely not greenlit - not yet", but talks are ongoing.

If there has been an approval for a series, it is a very secret decision that isn't being shared with Skiffy execs who normally are informed of such decisions.


MY PERSONAL GUESS:

I'm separating this to make it easier for those who seem to be confused by my opinions vice info I relay. My prediction, based on nothing more than my own impression from things I'm hearing, is that a BSG miniseries will be forthcoming somewhere between Aug 2004 and 2005. It will have a far more modest budget and will be floated out to see if this can sweep in new fans AND gather enough old fans to warrant progressing further. The ending of the second miniseries will likely be a bit more concrete. If it doesn't do really well, Skiffy will abandon this line of the BSG story. I believe there is enough of a push by some at Skiffy who think that Space Shows will bring in the right audience and will push for this to move forward.

Not to point fingers too much, but the SyFyPortal's proof of Ron Moore's proression on the new series (minus the actor contracts) is all stuff that was well underway two months before the miniseries aired. Ron is not being informed of Skiffy money situations and conflicts directly. Despite being the Executive Producer, his input or knowledge of decisions on which shows are forwarded at Skiffy is minimal at best. From everything I've seen, Ron is very credible in the information he's released but he's not the one making the decisions. Ron has been working on stories and the bible in a "just in case" role and has been doing this for at least a couple months before the miniseries aired. Ron and Eick have always intended to go to a series. Skiffy doesn't agree. -- at least not yet.

If a series is somehow pulled together in 2004, from everything I see it is going to suck beyond any concept we currently have unless Ron Moore (and any associate writers) perform absolute miracles in the scripts. Visually, other shows will bury a 2004 BSG series. There simply will not be a budget to do much of anything.

A miniseries in 2004 would be a bit better but would still be limited. It would probably have the advantage of having the same general look of the first miniseries (in core of actors and the like) but would be resticted in what can be accomplished, other than diving into a heavy focus on character development in scenes primarily centered on existing sets.

A miniseries in 2005 would be of a much higher quality, and would likely address many wishes of fans of the first miniseries. It would suffer from a fairly different character makeup since retaining many of the actors might be a problem. Also, the financial obligations for maintaining the sets may be a problem, although not a huge one.

A series in 2005 would have the same problems but would allow more adjustment to the new direction. this would give a the miniseries its best possibility for long-term success IMO. I don't hear anything that makes this any more likely than the other options.

I do personally believe that there will be at least one more miniseries-based show of some type.


Sandy

[BST]

A re-post from CA:

What Sandy has reported is all quite believable. It is very likely that SciFi is "looking for money". What some "know-it-alls" fail to take into account is the "business fiscal year". Some people, will "report" that we are saying that SciFi is destitute and raiding the Salvation Army kettles. Nothing could be farther from the truth. SciFi does have money.

The only problem is that they have already submitted their budget for 2004, probably back in September, and at that time, they apparently did not allocate monies for a new BSG series. They would have allocated monies for productions and shows that they were committed to doing in 2004 but, not for "what if's" like a G03 series.

By SciFi's standards, the mini-series was a success. Whether that level of "success" can be sustained through a series remains to be seen. The bottom line is that if they want to do a series based on the mini, they will have to "look for money" elsewhere, in other words, take it from other projects or shows. That's the entire reason for extending the deadline until Jan. 31. They just want a little extra time to negotiate, in order to convince their superiors of the viability of their project. Apparently, in the days leading up to the "previous" deadline, the answer was "NO". That's all that Sandy was saying.

Along this same line of thinking, another item needs to be understood -- the monies spent by SciFi, last year, producing and marketing the mini-series have absolutely NO bearing whatsoever on a potential G03 series. They were spending monies from their 2003 budget (and those monies DO NOT carry over to the new year, it's either use it or lose it).

So, in a nutshell, that's it.

BST

[BlueSquad2001]

You tell'em Sandy. BlueSquad reporting for duty!:salute:

[Darth Marley]

Gents,I don't think it is a zero-sum game.By this I do not think $ HAS to come from other projects.Sci Fi may be mismanaged,but if the money situation was zero sum,then capitalism would never generate new businesses.

If decision makers speculate that the gamble would pay off (ROI looks positive) then money issues would go away the same way they always do in business,by investors ponying up the dollars for a payoff later.This could be thought of as "looking for money elsewhere" but does not limit them to a fixed budget forcing them to make cuts in other projects.
I could be wrong,and YMMV.

BST,your point about negotiating time may very well be on target.My understanding of market dynamics compels me to speak out against what I see as the zero-sum myth,though.

[thomas7g]

okay guys. Tom is speaking AS AN ADMIN HERE.

Alot of other news from twobraincylon aka Sandy was greated with alot of verbal hostility. People attacking HIM personally because they believe differently. We DO NOT want to see that again. If someone is kind enough to bring us news DO NOT SHOW HOSTILITY. We appreciate any one who bothers to tell us what they heard.

Feel free to ask questions. But please THANK HIM for bothering to come here and tell us news.

Some people have doubts, some people don't want to hear anything but positive news. That is fine. We welcome you to any opinion you have on the miniseries. But please show a little courtesy to a man who is generous enough to give us something we can't get otherwise.

Thank you.

Speaking on a personal note. I have ALWAYS known Sandy to strive to be honest. He may counter an argument like a Daisy Cutter at times but he IS impeccibly honorable.

-Tom
:salute:

[dec5]

Stargate and Stargate: Atlantis will be Scfi's priority. BG2003...has proven itself worthy as a mini series success, and I would hope they would hold off on the full blown series.....until at least Atlantis proves itself. a BG2004 miniseries should be done this year IMO..if they are worried about the contracts....

And remember the BG2003DVD sales will be another good source of revenue...( I hope they read this......;) )

I am really hoping they will finish the BG2003 storyline....so we won't wait 20 years like we have for TOS to see the fate of our heroes......and are still waiting...

[callsignfalcon]

And remember the BG2003DVD sales will be another good source of revenue


I hope they see it too cause I'd buy it! *curses her vcr*

:)

[thomas7g]

Something happen to your vcr? Mine just died and got replaced. :D

OWAAAARRRIIIII!!! ("sit" in japanese. You have to know Inuyasha to get the reference)

[piperkev]

Thanks, Sandy!!

[koenigrules]

SciFiPulse.Net has an update to their Ron Moore article (originally posted Jan. 2nd).
It gives some approximation of cost per episode of the new BSG & how a show like Stargate Atlantis will have no impact on the BSG pickup (as MGM will be covering Atlantis's expenses).
Just thought you'd guys like to know.

[The Rain]

Well, a series still isn't dead. So that's a positive. But sometimes I really wish Bonnie Hammer would go find another network to drive into obscurity. That woman is clueless. I would love to spend an hour with her talking about what it means to run a network called the Sci-Fi channel. I'd very much like to hear in her words why she is trying to turn a channel which is supposed to be showing ONLY science fiction into just another vanilla flavored, wanna-be ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX clone. One of the basic concepts in software and web site design is knowing your users. Bonnie Hammer clearly doesn't know her users.

I don't expect Skiffy to show original sci-fi programming 7 days a week. Sci-fi is expensive and their audience is relatively small compared to the other vanilla networks. What I do expect is a network that spends a bulk of it's budget retaining the rights to air old cancelled sci-fi series and movies. The rest of their budget to be used on original sci-fi programming such as Galactica, Stargate, Farscape, Invisible Man and LEXX. To spend money on projects like Scare Tactics and that talk show... whatever it's called, is a waste of money and is like posting off-topic trolls on a subject specific message board. Skiffy is clearly being mismanaged.

Okay, I'm rambling now cuz there's a tad bit of steam that pours out of my ears everytime I hear about how Skiffy is wanting to abandon it's purpose for being.

Too bad we can't recall her like California recalled our last governor.
:mad:

[Soulmage]

TBC,

Thanks for sharing your news and opinions. I think the approach you've taken is a great one. Please keep up the good work.

P.S. I do hope your guesses are wrong though! :salute:

[thomas7g]

Rain, I would like to answer you, but boy would that drag this thread off topic. :D

[TwoBrainedCylon]

Rereading this, I need to clarify that the part about Ron Moore working on storylines and the bible just in case the show was picked up is not a guess. I know that to be a fact and know that isn't a sign that they've moved forward.

The possible options and their impacts are all speculation on my part based on the ideas being floated. My best guess is that they are going to try to 2004 or 2005 miniseries option. If they swing money, any of the options could be viable. I still content that this will be from an outside source if at all. I agree this isn't a "zero sum" game. If I ever said anything that gave that impression that was wrong. Having said that, I do know that money that might have gone to BSG has been sent to fund Stargate: Atlantis.

I realize that Hinman has his own beliefs about Stargate: Atlantis and its money pool. He's claiming one doesn't affect the other. This is in direct contrast to what I'm being told.

On another point, he's also claiming that I was stating that the ratings were being measured in 15 minute blocks. This is inaccurate. In fact, I said that I had heard they were evaluated in 15 minute blocks but didn't know since I'm not a number cruncher. He's mischaracterized that as he has the 10 Dec posting. In fact, he's twisted a number of my statements but I'll leave that for him to enjoy. All I know for sure is that Skiffy was pleased with the numbers cited for the ratings. This is one reason I think the miniseries supporters should be careful what they wish for. If they want to see a series from the miniseries, they should wish the option that will bring in a strong response. Rushing to a cheap series in 2004 vice a better one in 2005 may ensure that only 13 more episodes will ever be made, especially given Skiffy's current unfriendly attitude for space shows.

I've heard for a while that the Skiffy execs wanted to get away from space shows. I didn't realize that the push was as strong as it seems to be. I find it ironic that the miniseries supporters are now sitting in practically the same position that the original series supporters were a year ago.

Skiffy can be a uncaring organization when it comes to fans of any show.


Sandy

[callsignfalcon]

Thank you very telling us what you know TBC! :) I for one am greatfull for you taking the time to fill us in!

[thomas7g]

Thanks for the info sandy. :)

But could you please not mention Hinman while you are making your post. It weakens the objectivity of your news. And we are trying to calm things down.

:salute:

[The Rain]

Originally posted by TwoBrainedCylon
I find it ironic that the miniseries supporters are now sitting in practically the same position that the original series supporters were a year ago.

Skiffy can be a uncaring organization when it comes to fans of any show.


Sandy

So say we all!!!

I'm also a Farscape fan. (fortunately Henson is making a Farscape mini!)
Bonnie Hammer is THE DEVIL.

[The Rain]

Originally posted by conundrum7g
Rain, I would like to answer you, but boy would that drag this thread off topic. :D
LOL
Yes, I was a bit off topic wasn't I.

:salute:

[Kester Pelagius]

Originally posted by TwoBrainedCylon
1. Skiffy is trying DESPERATELY to get away from the space sci fi genre. This was a general theme last year as everyone knows. It will be pushed much, much harder this year. This doesn't fully coincide with its programming decisions but does explain why such shows as Scare Tactics and the like are being shoved into the forefront. The description being used is that they want more "Lord of the Rings Sci-Fi" rather than "Space Sci-Fi".

A few comments:

Trying to get away from "Space Sci-Fi"? Bwhuh? Might as well say they don't think that speculative fiction is part of the Sci-Fi genre! :rolleyes:

Since when is LoTR Sci-Fi?

How bit a Lotto jack-pot would one of us have to win to be able to rescue skiffy from the Mad Scientists who have taken it over? ;)

I'd have said 'shoveled' not 'shoved'. And, for the record, not only have I never watched I also never cared. It's, IMO, not remotely SF. (In any of SF's three flavors.)

message ends

[Kester Pelagius]

Thanks for posting that! :salute:

[dec5]

The possible options and their impacts are all speculation on my part based on the ideas being floated. My best guess is that they are going to try to 2004 or 2005 miniseries option. If they swing money, any of the options could be viable.

TBC...I agree with your guess......and I hope that is the way they go.

I'd send a personal check just to see a finale for the BG 2003 storyline..alone!!

I really don't want another BG experience with no happy conclusion.....ya hear... BG guys please???? We fans want what other sci fi fans want......to know the ending of the story!!!




I still content that this will be from an outside source if at all. I agree this isn't a "zero sum" game. If I ever said anything that gave that impression that was wrong. Having said that, I do know that money that might have gone to BSG has been sent to fund Stargate: Atlantis.


Hopefully the sales of the BG2003 DVDs will help get other investors to help produce a quality BG series......who knows?
That would be the ultimate thing this BG fan could hope for.
And with the BG2003 cast intact...to boot......for further adventures.

[shiningstar]

Thanks for posting this Two brained cylon

[CrysWimmer]

Originally posted by TwoBrainedCylon
This is one reason I think the miniseries supporters should be careful what they wish for. If they want to see a series from the miniseries, they should wish the option that will bring in a strong response. Rushing to a cheap series in 2004 vice a better one in 2005 may ensure that only 13 more episodes will ever be made, especially given Skiffy's current unfriendly attitude for space shows.


Just one miscellaneous thought. With the original BG, they were pretty much forced into a series before they really planned to have it (according to the documentary on the DVD). They ran into a LOT of problems with writing, editing, and so forth. They were very rushed with both the effects and the scripts, sometimes not getting them until the day of shooting (in some cases, rewrites came the day AFTER shooting, making them do things twice - might explain why there are so many alternate scenes on the DVD). Anyway, while the show was great, and the cast made due, most of them would have liked to have had more time to "do it right". If we get a 2004 series, it's going to be rushed. That's just a fact - to do it in 2004, they'd have to scramble. I'd much rather have a full series than a mini, but I also want to see the level of quality that the mini introduced us to. I'd hate to see it done badly, and flop. That won't help anyone.

Not that this has anything to do with anything, but just something I'm sure they're considering.

-Crys-

[Darth Marley]

I've been going through various old (24MAY03) posts and came across one that supports your contentions.

http://custom.marketwatch.com/custom/excite-com/news-story.asp?guid={78A40422-43E4-4773-A693-4CF81C72E7F4}&alias=/ht/nw is an old one that has many quotes from BH about the direction of SciFi Channel pertinate to many recent threads.

"Hammer says Vivendi's possible sale of its U.S. entertainment assets -- including Sci-Fi and sister channel USA Network -- hasn't had an effect on Sci-Fi's budgetary considerations or any other aspect of its operations. "Our budgets for this year and next year have already been locked, have already developed. We already have our whole schedule kind of locked in for '04.""
-seems best suited to this thread's discussion.

Kind of indicates that it IS zero-sum in a sense,so I retract my claim,and think these guys are idiots at SciFi for not having a better understanding of corporate finance than even a geek like me does.

That said,I believe that she wanted to have this go to series,and there is some kind of development budget for an RDM BSG series.Most likely with a skimpy spec effects budget in keeping with BH's other stated goals regarding target demographic.

Also,another useful tidbit I gleaned from this old article is the ratings threshold for cancellation of Farscape,which seems to me to be comparable to sustained ratings needed to make RDM series fly,but also depends on purchase price of the show: (speaking here of Farscape)

"But last fall, during the show's fourth season, Sci-Fi decided that the show's ratings -- consistently at the 1.1 or 1.2 level -- weren't high enough to justify the cost of bringing it back for a fifth season. "

Next paragraph mentions talks "broke down" with Henson Prod. over keeping the show.Does anyone have the backstory on this? Was it just asking price?

And as a benchmark to the ratings discussions; "Taken" got an average 4.1 rating, equivalent to 3.26 million viewers each night."

[Darth Marley]

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-main.html?2004-01/08/11.00.sfc

Earthsea Trilogy! Maybe they can screw this up,but I'll keep an optomistic heart. I think it is a good choice,loved the books.

But,doesn't this put the nail in the coffin of the money argument? Sure,maybe the series is a no go after all,but they do, for good or ill, keep announcing new projects that are not BSG or SG:1 related.

[koenigrules]

They are quick to say over at Sci-Fi that they want to make BSG into a series. So I wouldn't dismiss the series option yet.
Sci-Fi would not be so open to the public like this if they weren't serious about it.
By the way, moving Scare Tactics to their Thursday new line-up gives a free hour for original programming on Friday night. Hmmm, I wonder what they have in mind, eh?? An SG-1, Galactica, Atlantis block maybe??

[BST]

Originally posted by koenigrules
They are quick to say over at Sci-Fi that they want to make BSG into a series. So I wouldn't dismiss the series option yet.
Sci-Fi would not be so open to the public like this if they weren't serious about it.
By the way, moving Scare Tactics to their Thursday new line-up gives a free hour for original programming on Friday night. Hmmm, I wonder what they have in mind, eh?? An SG-1, Galactica, Atlantis block maybe??

koenig,

With all due respect, even if Bonnie Hammer says that they "want" to do a series, it means absolutely nothing until the decision is made to either go /no-go. All the "wants" in the world will not bring it to TV any faster than having the "means" to do it. That is what Sci-Fi's PTB are deciding now, whether or not it will bring them the biggest bang for the buck.

I'm not trying to dampen your enthusiasm for the show but, just asking you to relax. Take a deep breath (or two). The decision will be made public soon enough.

BST

[Darth Marley]

Agreed, BST.

Trusting these guys about their stated intentions would be foolish given their track record.

Given that their stated goal is to go less into "space battle" sf and more into character based "soap opera" types of f&sf drama indicates to me that money (in terms of money to spend) is not a real factor,as they apparently have a development budget that can start other productions.Certainly, how much they can expect to make on their expediture is the most important factor in their decision making.

[koenigrules]

Don't worry- I'm relaxed!
Just looking forward to the new BSG series, that's all.
And waiting for the official announcement...

[slider]

Earthsea Trilogy! Maybe they can screw this up,but I'll keep an optomistic heart. I think it is a good choice,loved the books.

But,doesn't this put the nail in the coffin of the money argument? Sure,maybe the series is a no go after all,but they do, for good or ill, keep announcing new projects that are not BSG or SG:1 related.



It depends on whether or not Sci Fi was already committed to Earthsea Trilogy and other productions when the BSG miniseries question came up. If a lack of money is not holding up the announcing the Battlestar Galactica series, what is? Why did they have to pay extra money to extend the actors options and for storage of the props? Maybe the actors are telling them “oh no, I can’t take all this money” and Sci Fi is coming back with “yes, yes, you must.” Perhaps Sci Fi was trying to get out of the Earthesea Trilogy to pay for BSG. They couldn’t get out of Earthsea so now they are announcing this series.

You may be right though. They may announce the series tomorrow. The announcement will probably look like “ Battlestar Galactica to Premiere This Fall”. I think we are trying to read tea leaves and entrails in an attempt to divine what is going on at Sci Fi.

I hope they go with the series since it seems to make so many people happy. :)

[BST]

Originally posted by slider
I think we are trying to read tea leaves and entrails in an attempt to divine what is going on at Sci Fi.


:laugh:

[Mike Wright]

First of all I'd like to give a nod to Sandy. Your news is much appreciated, negative or otherwise. Cause the truth is, if the series doesn't go forward, there is going to be some kind of announcement, and chances are you'll have the backstory on the load of crap they give us to explain their decision.

Second, I'm just a simple guy, I know nothing of TV budgets or politics or any such thing. But from the sounds of things, if they specifically mentioned wanting to turn away from space-bound scifi in favor of Lord of the Rings type scifi, and they didn't say they were turning away from space-bound in favor of FANTASY scifi, then I can determine this. Its not Scifi-Fantasy they are looking for. They are looking for Scifi that MAKES MONEY. Which is consistent with constantly bringing up money. It sounds to me like Bonnie Hammer just wants the Scifi Channel to bring in some moolah.

Case in point-- I don't know how much ROTK has made as of late but last estimate I heard was over 600 million dollars. Thats a nice chunk of change that went to a scifi movie. Star Trek on the other hand, a franchise that has been successful for years, has recently taken hits below the belt with falling ratings, a tenth movie that did very poorly in theaters, and a gaming studio that dropped their contract all because of it. Next you got B5, which hasn't seen a successful incarnation in years. You also have Firefly, which died only a few episodes into its first season.

I have a feeling this is probably the argument they are running with as far as their 2004 direction. Which I think is probably a valid argument. With the slow death of Trek, and the lack of any other successful Space-bound shows, it would appear that the market in this respect is failing. However, there are a lot of desputes that could be made. One in particular being that Lord of the Rings is a REIMAGINATION of a highly popular series of books that all ready had a huge cult following. Galactica wasn't based on books by any respect, but it DOES have a huge cult following, one that has not seen this show on the air in over 20 years. That is something, you can't argue, that can be banked on. Star Trek was off the air for 20 years before an incarnation hit the big screen, and despite the fact that it wasn't a very good movie, it was highly successfull and spawned the franchise. This is why now is a good time for Galactica to come back.

Whether Sciffy sees this or not, well, this arguement could very well be going on right now. It could be the reason why they haven't come right out and said no.

I can understand if they've all ready planned out the '04 season. None of the shows look good enough for me to watch, save maybe Atlantis. But hey, they can run with what they want as far as I'm concerned. Next year, in '05, they're gonna see some major changes in Scifi. We've got the final incarnation of Star Wars, we've got another Indiana Jones flick coming... Lots of good stuff. I think '05, or maybe even '06 will be the perfect year for a Galactica return.

I know none of you want to hear that... But honestly, who wants to see another weak Galactica return... Give us something strong, with staying power. Give us something good. And for god sakes, give us something that will put Trek out of its misery.

[koenigrules]

What I like to know is what makes Galactica a better series if its delayed a year or two?
I am sure Moore will give it the same level of attention he has given to other recent hits, including Carnivale & the awesome Dead Zone!
I don't think they can afford to wait.
1) They will not be able to get the same actors at that point.
2) They will have to design new sets.
A3) nd Moore might be involved in an assortment of other projects then. He's a hot commodity in TV right now.
1) and 2) definitely will cost MORE BUCKS!
Usually with ratings busters like BSG 2003, TPTB seize that moment.
NOW IS THE TIME, NOT LATER.
I might reflect a minority view on this site, but its mine to air & I think I've stated some valid points here.

[TwoBrainedCylon]

KoenigRules,

The actor contracts are a real concern and one I'd be worried about if I were in their shoes. The sets can be stored if you can get some "holding money" to store them. This was the plan with the DeSanto/Singer stuff. That would have been around had a Universal accountant not killed the storage fees thinking it was a mistake.

Waiting a year allows a series to be plugged with an actual budget. Waiting two years IMO would be more difficult since you would loose even more momentum. People's memories would grow even weaker.

Regarding Ron's scripts, keep in mind that Ron has been developing story ideas since at least a few months before the miniseries ever aired. Those script involve plotlines that rely on a budget somewhat concurrent with that set forward by the miniseries (although somewhat lower). Adapting them to a budget significantly lower would render sections of them useless and force major rewrites.

As for Moore wandering away, I doubt that would happen unless he were offerred something very intriguing. At the moment, he is enthusiastic about his version of Galactica and wants to see it develop further.

Sandy

[koenigrules]

And its because of those contracts that they have to arrive at a decision- and very soon.
And I think that will be the deciding factor, when all is said & done, to making it a series.

[TwoBrainedCylon]

You may be right. we'll see.

Sandy

[Darth Marley]

I spent 10 years in logistics. Those that say just-in-time supply chains save money are using Enron style accounting.
Off premises storage make little sense for the same reasons.
If the sets were stored in a studio owned lot/warehouse, then the cost is much less than paying a third party to store it.The idea that they could save money by paying someone else to store it at a price that would give them a profit is flawed.Still,many companies believe it saves money,so they spend money on third party storage anyway.One day they will learn.
If it is on studio owned property,then the opportunity cost becomes relevant when you need the space for something else.That might force an off premise move.
Even so,once sets are built,then the ongoing cost of production drops dramatically.It is highly unlikely that the budget will be anything close to the miniseries production costs per network hour.
The great thing about CGI is there are no models to physically store.

[BST]

Originally posted by Darth Marley

Even so,once sets are built,then the ongoing cost of production drops dramatically.It is highly unlikely that the budget will be anything close to the miniseries production costs per network hour.

Precisely. As with most ventures, film-related or not, initial costs are the highest. Usually, most ventures are actually money losers until well into the "product life-cycle". Many companies base their decision regarding a product on the "pay-back period", or how long it takes to recover their initial costs.

[slider]

:) :) :) :)
News Flash

My source, Deep Trash, has gotten new information direct from Bonnie Hammer's office. He has acquired a piece of paper with doodles that say “BSG” and “Bonnie Hammer President of NBC”. I take this as an indicator for the series.

Oddly, it also has doodles that say “Tyrol” with little hearts and “Bonnie Hammer-Douglas President of NBC” . We are thinking this Tyrol is a wrestler for the new Sci Fi wrestling show. So this is good news for the wrestlin people.

Now my source may not be as high up TwoBrain Cylon’s. But Deep Trash does go to Bonnie Hammer’s office on a regular basis to drink beer. I bet his source don't get to do this.

Of course this is only at night when she ain’t there and he is supposed to be cleaning up.

My source has placed himself at great personal risk to bring you this update.

:) :):)

[jewels]

Slider you are a riot! :corona: Oh, just in case you aren't old enough to drink that (slim chance) have some blue koolaid :beer:

[slider]

Thanks for the complement and the toast, Jewels.
Blue Kool-Aid, my favorite!

Sadly, I can’t blame any of this on alcohol or drugs.
:)

[SAR Pilot]

I guess this is what I get for living overseas for 3 years, but I was not aware of just how poorly run SciFi was! ! ! With the current direction, why not rename it FanChan (Fantasy Channel). I disliked it when bookstores started mixing the Fantasy and Sci Fi sections, they are too distinct and separate entities!
What would it take to be rid of this bafoon running the network? ! ?
It almost sounds as if the network PTB are trying to make the network fail! Any other thoughts about it?

[The Rain]

Originally posted by SAR Pilot
I guess this is what I get for living overseas for 3 years, but I was not aware of just how poorly run SciFi was! ! ! With the current direction, why not rename it FanChan (Fantasy Channel). I disliked it when bookstores started mixing the Fantasy and Sci Fi sections, they are too distinct and separate entities!
What would it take to be rid of this bafoon running the network? ! ?
It almost sounds as if the network PTB are trying to make the network fail! Any other thoughts about it?

I couldn't have said it any better.
But...
I think Bonnie Hammer is trying to go the MTV route to success. They ignored the fact it was called MUSIC TELEVISION and showed the viewers reality tv and gameshows instead. I'm sure Hammer licks her chops at the thought of a show like Beat the Geeks or whatever on sci-fi.
I want Bonnie's head on a Qualta blade! :laugh:

[Darth Marley]

Hey, everybody!
Remember this thread?

Given Larocque's post quoting email from "the horse's mouth"
http://www.colonialfleets.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5984

I thought it appropriate to resurrect it, eat a bit of pro-mini crow, and say it looks like Sandy was dead on right.

Of course, I hope the final outcome is resolved positively for a series pickup before contract options run out.
Still, for us favoring this, being prepared for the big let-down would be prudent.

[koenigrules]

I don't think RDM was preparing us for a let down.
Quite the contrary- Sci-Fi wants to do something with Galactica (he in fact noted that as a positive) so I interpret it differently from you.
And I don't think I'm heading for a fall...

[Darth Marley]

No, I am telling you to be prepared for a letdown. Not that I think one is coming, and certainly hope in the other direction.

I probably interpret it the same way, but with different emphasis. If RDM is saying this might drag on past 30JAN04, and Bonnie (after seeing a picture of her, I can't be too harsh) has said 60 days,2 weeks,whatever, there may be unpleasant repercussions even if it is eventually a go.

[callsignfalcon]

hmmmm id watch a fantasy channel... someone should start one... make mercedes lackey's books into some (well done) movies :D lol anyway, whatever the money sitch is, i just hope they let us (and the actors) know whether its going to go forth soon!