For 22 years I had worked on over 40 film/TV productions as a film auditor - that's someone appointed by the financiers to watch over their money during the production of a feature film or TV project. Over the past year I've been working with an independent producer developing, producing and delivering TV productions (the most recent that I've been helping with is "XIII", a mini-series to be broadcast by NBC this fall).
Working with a busy independent producer has been a real eye-opener for me. The word 'business' in The Film Business has really hit home.
As soon as my producer has looked at a script (and I mean 'looked', not read) he wants to know how much it will cost and how much he can get from either the broadcasters in license fees or in projected theatrical revenues from the distributors. There are some producers who BELIEVE in a project and make it for posterity, but in 99% of the cases a producer decides on his projects in a business-like manner:

1. What will it cost (film budget - includes the number of days it will take to shoot it)?
2. Is it very likely that I will make more cash than I paid out to produce it (includes whatever tax incentives can be estimated for the region it will be shot in)?

So, how does the filmmaker, who IS passionate about his project, get it produced? A sensible man would do a little homework to find out about the costs of production (film budgeting) and the income streams available for different different genres - for both theatrical release and for TV broadcast. That way, when he/she is confronted with producer popping questions like a jack-hammer, he/she will be able to impress with their knowledge of the costs to produce.

That alone will put you way out on top.

See my video, here or on YouTube for more info. My web site is ww.talkfilm.biz