Budget

[Republibot 3.0]

I'm watching the entire Stargate Franchise in chronological order - first time I've ever done this - and when I hit season 6, I noticed a kind of subtle difference in tone, feel, look, pacing, and a more sparing use of FX. I've heard some vague comments about a lower budget, but I don't really know any details.

Was the budget per episode decreased when the show moved to Skiffy?

What was the budget on Showtime? What was it on Skiffy? Anyone know?

[Gen. Chris]

Well I know the budget was reduced somewhat once SyFy took over, but I don't know how much.

[knowles2]

Believe the budget for stargate SG1 was around 1 to 2 million dollars, SGA was around 2 to 2.5 million an episode, and SGU is around 2.5 million to 3 million, it almost certainly never exceeded 3 million. Those figures varies a lot on an episode bases through.

[Snowman37]

Republibot is only asking about SG-1, and he's asking if the budget was slashed for the sixth season. You didn't really answer the question.

[knowles2]

Well to add to my previous comment, those are the only figures I have ever heard, during showtime or scifi tenure. So my answered would be no. In fact to further extend my answer, the use of CGI seem to have increase in season 6 onwards, actors pay checks also tend to increase, so I find it hard to believe the budget decrease when the switch was made from Showtime to Scifi, may be the cost sharing between MGM and Scifi change, with MGM taking on more of the costs, but I seriously doubt the budget was cut drastically.

[Republibot 3.0]

Well to add to my previous comment, those are the only figures I have ever heard, during showtime or scifi tenure. So my answered would be no. In fact to further extend my answer, the use of CGI seem to have increase in season 6 onwards, actors pay checks also tend to increase, so I find it hard to believe the budget decrease when the switch was made from Showtime to Scifi, may be the cost sharing between MGM and Scifi change, with MGM taking on more of the costs, but I seriously doubt the budget was cut drastically.

Well, firstly: thank you. My impression was that the average budget was about a million per for SG1, two million for SGA, and three million per for SGU, so your number roughly jibe with mine. Thanks!

Secondly: as to the budget cut, I keep stumbling across mentions such as this one on this very site:
>>"The first two episodes are a two-parter entitled 'Redemption,' written by Robert C. Cooper. Those of you concerned that there is less money to go around this year and that the show will pale in comparison should have your minds put at ease with this two-parter, in a big way.<<
I believe that was Joe Malozzi who said that. Source: http://www.gateworld.net/sg1/s6/601.shtml

Anyone else got anything? I'm just curious to know about how big a dip there was.