Sponsor (Jan-June 1954)

1ST Major component in cost of half-hour tv film drama is talent. Above, Ted Post rehearses Patricia Medina, Ben Astar for "Ford Theatre" SETS Some I8rc of show cost for high-priced drama (see chart at left) is sets. Above, Tom Craycraft, one of Hollywood's top set designers ill'-lioiir drama I show's budget level (see chart) Total elapsed time: At least a five-day week, plus overtime. (Overtime, incidentally, is time-and-a-half.) I Admen will note in the cost data above that some percentages— whether in the low, middle or high price category of typical half-hour production — stay relatively constant, while some fluctuate. Here are some of the reasons: The price for talent items (cast, writers) is often scaled to the production budget. High-priced shows will pay more for actors, for example, to get top names. Some production percentages — like camerawork — are also relatively constant. More cameras are used on fancier shows, and the cameramen paid over-scale in many cases, as are the top sound men and film editors. Directors and production supervisors, more often than not, are paid a salary by the producing company which is a fixed item, rather than a percentage. Sometimes, a higher-priced director is used on a low-price show. * * * 25 JANUARY 1954 Cost components of tv film drama shows SCENARIO rights to story purchasee scenario writers stenographic and n'nneograph SUPERVISION supervisors and assistants DIRECTOR and associate assistant directors company grips company property men script clerks CAMERAMEN CASTS stars or leads supporting cast day players extra talent commissions set dressings purchased rentals draperies operating costs & materials drapers set operators and animal handlers action props constructed purchases ti ansportation rigging and striking operating labor electric current wardrobe costs company wardrobe men costume rentals wardrobe costs company wardrobe women makeup artists hairdressers negative raw stock (film) positive raw Btock film laboratory charges OTHER COSTS still laboratory charges set operating recording i set handling sound equipment charges set maintenance dubbing crews shrubbery sound effect cutters materials and supplies film editor, asst. cutters construction labor projection' striking laps and wipes scaffolds titles backings stock shots construction materials director (of stock shots, unit art directors special effects) draftsmen operating labor miscellaneous laboratory charge set dressings construction social security taxes set dressers compensation insurance swing gangs sound royalties Fit A set loss reserve for vacation set damage reserve for retroactive salaries •Screen Gems 59