Taylor Sheridan asks Paramount $50,000 A WEEK to film Yellowstone on his ranch

To make Yellowstone is not a cheap undertaking.

A new report from the Wall Street Journal sheds light on creator Taylor Sheridan’s allegedly high spending to create the wildly popular series.

Sheridan reportedly charges Paramount $50,000 a week to film Yellowstone on his own ranch in Texas, nearly $210,000 to train actors at a “Cowboy Camp” on his own property, and rents out herds of cattle for $25 per person.

All of this is on top of the money he’s already making as a writer, producer, and sometimes director of Yellowstone and its spin-offs.

The report comes amid news that Yellowstone is coming to an end after five seasons, and show star Kevin Costner is beginning divorce proceedings with his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner.

Yellowstone’s epic final episode returns in November, only on Stan.

The report outlined the high costs Sheridan charged his production partners to create the series. He works with Paramount, which finances his series, and 101 Studios, the organization that makes his shows.

Sheridan declined a request from WSJ to be interviewed for the story.

In the ‘Cowboy Camps’, actors learn how to work with horses and how to realistically depict life on the farm. WSJ reported that Paramount was charged $214,979.61 for the camp prior to season five, which lasted about a week.

About $33,000 of that was for catering alone. Using his horses was also expensive – Paramount had to pay $2,000 per person.

In another example cited by WSJ, a wrestler thousands of miles away from the set also charged $3,000 on production. The wrestler explained to the skeptical production agency that she worked on one of Sheridan’s farms, preparing his horses for filming.

Sheridan also uses his favorite farrier to work with the horses.

May 2022, two of Sheridan’s farriers were flown from Texas to Montana, another expense that irked the head of the studio.

‘Are you joking? Can’t find a local person?’ David Glasser, head of 101 Studios, said in an email to production staff.

In addition, 24 horse saddles ordered by the prop master cost an overwhelming $23,519.19. The saddles were to be in the style of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

“We’ve had 5 seasons of a show. And we’re just ordering saddles now?’ Glasser asked about the expenses in an email.

Not cheap: Yellowstone, now coming to an end after five seasons, is one of Paramount’s biggest hits — but also a hugely expensive venture, reportedly due to Sheridan’s very special spending, according to the Wall Street Journal

Another point of contention was the creation of $3,130 worth of prop jewelry made out of state despite being able to claim tax credits by using local suppliers.

The high cost also extends to Sheridan’s other popular Yellowstone spinoffs. According to WSJ, it costs at least $22 million to make a single episode of 1923, the prequel to Yellowstone.

While both Paramount and 101 Studios both admitted that his shows aren’t cheap to make, they are happy with their working relationship.

“Taylor’s shows are among our most successful and profitable,” a Paramount spokeswoman told WSJ.

As for 101 Studios, executives told WSJ they are trying to compromise with Sheridan when it comes to budgeting and creating a quality show. While they claimed to be cost-conscious, 101 Studios says the success of Sheridan’s shows proves they are worth the hefty price tag.

End of an era: Last week, Paramount Network announced that Yellowstone would officially come to an end with the final episodes of the fifth season launching in November

According to WSJ, it costs Paramount more than $500 million a year to make Sheridan’s programs. That figure also includes the first season of the 1923 Yellowstone spin-off, which cost nearly $200 million.

In contrast, an episode of HBO’s The Last of Us costs $16-$18 million per episode, while House of the Dragon usually costs less than $20 million per episode, according to WSJ sources.

The high costs come as investors scrutinize Paramount. On Thursday, they reported a first-quarter loss of $1.1 billion. The loss is partly due to more money being spent streaming content.

Last week, Paramount Network announced that Yellowstone would officially end with the final episodes of the fifth season launching in November.

Frosty: Sheridan also reportedly had a strained relationship with Yellowstone star Kevin Costner; pictured with Kelly Reilly and Costner

The show has been a monster hit for the network, telling the story of the Dutton family and their struggle over their massive Montana ranch.

It’s still a ratings hit, but the atmosphere on set is said to have become fraught with Costner’s alleged insistence on only working part of the week. Costner also allegedly had a strained relationship with Sheridan.

Despite the cancellation, Yellowstone fans will likely be reassured by the news that a sequel has already received a full series order.

Matthew McConaughey has been tipped as a possible star, though producers have yet to confirm any new cast members.