Sure it's a Great TV Show Idea. Now Get Them To Buy It.
The value of the Written Pitch document.
“The ever-expanding video universe served up a record 532 scripted TV programs in 2019, according to research conducted by FX…”
Five hundred thirty-two shows on a multitude of platforms and streaming services running on demand and available 24/7. Shows that are varied and diverse culturally, thematically, by subject matter, by the genre, the sub-genre, the demographic of who will watch and of course the ole “niche market. With these numbers and resources, one would think that it would not be that hard to get a look-see from the people who produce original content.
Here's the rub: There are more creators out there now as well because everybody has a great idea. And they do you know what, a lot of these ideas are damn good, different, fresh or have a new spin on a tried and true design. So why are you not getting produced? One word: viability.
Now keep this thought in mind because it is true. Producers want and are looking for great shows, original shows and shows that they feel have staying power.
With so many good ideas out there (and everybody has one), it is important for a show creator to be able to demonstrate their idea--their "show". To prove that it is a sustainable show and series and not just a good idea. You are going to want to not only talk about your concept, your premise and your world but you are going to want to show how this is ready to rock. How are you going to do this?
The written pitch not only demonstrates the viability of your show but also makes visible every aspect of it in a clear concise (but in tone with the show) fashion. Not only is this going to be in your own unique voice but when done well these pages leave little to doubt and much to the imagination. The log-line, the concept, the premise; the characters and their history, where they are going, how they will develop by season 4; their relationships to each other and why. The kinds of stories we can expect to see week after week; the show’s hook; the motifs, the conventions; the style, the fun and the cool of the series. But most importantly, we are talking about a well-defined Story Engine that definitively shows why this “idea” can run for ten seasons.
Also, the written pitch makes the “in-person” meeting with producers so much easier as all you are doing now is imaginatively riffing and embellishing on what they already read. How fun is that?
“The ever-expanding video universe served up a record 532 scripted TV programs in 2019, according to research conducted by FX…”
Five hundred thirty-two shows on a multitude of platforms and streaming services running on demand and available 24/7. Shows that are varied and diverse culturally, thematically, by subject matter, by the genre, the sub-genre, the demographic of who will watch and of course the ole “niche market. With these numbers and resources, one would think that it would not be that hard to get a look-see from the people who produce original content.
Here's the rub: There are more creators out there now as well because everybody has a great idea. And they do you know what, a lot of these ideas are damn good, different, fresh or have a new spin on a tried and true design. So why are you not getting produced? One word: viability.
Now keep this thought in mind because it is true. Producers want and are looking for great shows, original shows and shows that they feel have staying power.
With so many good ideas out there (and everybody has one), it is important for a show creator to be able to demonstrate their idea--their "show". To prove that it is a sustainable show and series and not just a good idea. You are going to want to not only talk about your concept, your premise and your world but you are going to want to show how this is ready to rock. How are you going to do this?
The written pitch not only demonstrates the viability of your show but also makes visible every aspect of it in a clear concise (but in tone with the show) fashion. Not only is this going to be in your own unique voice but when done well these pages leave little to doubt and much to the imagination. The log-line, the concept, the premise; the characters and their history, where they are going, how they will develop by season 4; their relationships to each other and why. The kinds of stories we can expect to see week after week; the show’s hook; the motifs, the conventions; the style, the fun and the cool of the series. But most importantly, we are talking about a well-defined Story Engine that definitively shows why this “idea” can run for ten seasons.
Also, the written pitch makes the “in-person” meeting with producers so much easier as all you are doing now is imaginatively riffing and embellishing on what they already read. How fun is that?
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