How to Pitch a TV Show

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If you have a great idea for a television show and you want to get it on the air, then you need to develop a pitch. If you want to learn how to pitch your TV show idea, then this guide will show you how.
Pitching a TV Show Tips
1. Get a job working in the industry.
2. Research your idea to make sure its unique.
3. The pitch bible is what will help sell your show.
4. Preparing the perfect pitch is essential.
5. Getting a pitch meeting is very hard, but not impossible.
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Television | How Tos

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Introduction
- You have a great idea for a TV show, and you know that the networks would jump at the chance to do it. The only problem is you don't know how to get that great idea to the network executives? Submitting a new show idea to a network is called "pitching." There are certain things that go into making the perfect pitch, but the most difficult part of pitching may be finding someone who will listen to your great idea at all.
Step 1: Get an Edge
- According to Variety, it is harder to break into Hollywood since the writers strike because the studios are "going to buy less, and they're going to buy from those high-end writers and showrunners that they believe in already."Variety: Writers Face Tough Post-Strike World (June 3, 2008) So, if you want to pitch a TV show, you need an edge. Without it, you will find it impossible to get anywhere.
Writing for Television
- The first and most common way to get your pitch heard is to get into the business. Direct experience is a good teacher and will help prove to television executives that you know what you are talking about. After all, would you want to have surgery done by a doctor who has only watched one or by a doctor who has years of experience? Here are a couple of examples of TV and film writers going on to create their own shows:
1. Lost was created by J.J. Abrams, Jeffrey Lieber and Damon Lindelof. Abrams started out as a screenwriter in 1990 and has since moved on to produce and direct several movies and television shows.IMDb: J.J. Abrams
2. Heroes was created by Tom Kring, who had been writing for television since 1982 and created the show Crossing Jordan.IMDb: Tom Kring
Other Paths
- It is possible, although rare, to sell a TV show without experience in television.Absolute Write: Interview with Larry Brody However, you will need some experience in some another field or be willing to do your own leg work. A few examples on how this has happened:
1. Larry Brody used his own money to make a pilot.Absolute Write: Interview with Larry Brody If you were to follow in his footsteps, you would then need to hit up syndication houses and networks or set up a booth at a NATPE conference.NATPE: NATPE Conference However, this could backfire and end up costing you a lot of money with nothing to show for it.johnaugust.com: Television Ideas
2. In a similar case, Mark Burnett bargained with a film crew and local television station to get his first show created. He then took the show to ESPN with the caveat that they could air it as long as he got 50 percent of the money from the commercials.THR.com: Dialogue with Producer Mark Burnett (May 26, 2004)
3. Marta Kaufman and David Crane, the creators of Friends, were playwrights with an excellent agent who helped them land the right meetings, which got their first show, Dream On, on the air.Absolute Write: How to Sell Your Show
4. Andy Milonakis used a webcam to create his own shows, which he posted on the Internet.Calgary Herald: Online to Prime Time for Andy Milonakis (August 4, 2008) Although it took several years, he eventually got his own TV show.
5. W. Bruce Cameron wrote the bestselling book 8 Simple Rules...for Dating My Teenage Daughter, which was eventually optioned by ABC and made into the television show by the same name.Absolute Write: How to Sell Your Show
Step 2: Get a Great Idea
- Chances are you probably came to this page with an idea already formed in your head. However, this section is not about having an idea. It is about finding that great idea. Here are some tips on how to make your idea better.
1. According to Larry Brody, one of the biggest mistakes aspiring writers can make is to write something which they do not believe in, but think will sell well.Final Draft: How Not to Sell a Script
2. Check to see if your idea has been done before.NATPE: Pitch Tips
3. Check to see if your idea is currently being done.high def: So You STILL Want to Produce Your Own Reality Television Series? (May 24, 2008)
4. Research the climates and trends by reading trade publications and connecting with other industry sources.NATPE: Pitch Tips Some of the various trade publications include:
Fade In Magazine
The Hollywood Reporter

Production Weekly
Script Magazine

TV Tracker.com
Variety Magazine

Written By
The Futon Critic
Step 3: Write a Pitch Bible
- Once you have your unique and creative idea, it is time to write a pitch bible. A pitch bible combines various elements that help define your television show. Often it is what you will use to sell the idea to agents or television producers, so it needs to be done well. It is also a great way to organize and develop your concept.Writing Treatments: What is a Treatment? You will sometimes see a pitch bible called a "pitch book" or a "treatment."
- There are various things you can include in a pitch bible. Most of them will depend on what type of show you are pitching (animated, drama, sitcom, reality, etc.). However all pitches will include three very important elements: the logline, synopsis and treatment.
Logline
- A logline is a one-sentence description of your idea. If someone asked you what the show was about, what would be your quick answer?
1. Examples of loglines can be found in fall preview guides or online.
2. Television executives usually consider the logline to be the most important element since it is often used later during marketing.HowStuffWorks: How Writing a TV Show Works
3. It is a good idea to write a dozen loglines and read them to other people to get their reactions.InkTip.com: Tips on Loglines
4. Do not include details of your script in the logline.InkTip.com: Tips on Loglines Put them in the synopsis and treatment.
Synopsis
- A synopsis is a brief summary of show in a few paragraphs.
1. It should introduce the major characters and major elements of the show (theme, tone etc.).Complications Ensue: Pitches, Pitch Bibles and Bibles (Friday, November 26, 2004)
2. It can be any where from one-half to two pages and should contain little or no dialogue.Done Deal Pro: Glossary of Industry Terms (February 1, 2007)
Treatment
- The treatment is more inclusive than the synopsis. It should describe all the major elements of the script including key scenes, major characters, overall storyline, plot, themes and genre of the show.Animation World Magazine: The Pitch Bible: Just The Essentials (December 27, 2004)
1. A treatment is similar in form and style to a synopsis, but more detailed.Done Deal Pro: Glossary of Industry Terms (February 1, 2007)
2. A treatment is usually only about five pages long or less for an hour-long show.HowStuffWorks: How Writing a TV Show Works
3. Although you want to be brief, you need to give enough information that the reader is interested in the show.The TV Writers Vault: How To Sell Your TV Show Idea or Script
4. Treatments are often done in short story format.Writer's Digest: Does Your Screenplay Need a Treatment or a Synopsis? (June 30, 2008)
5. Expect to do several revisions of your treatment.Writing Treatments: What is a Treatment? Each time make it more condensed and add more vivid language.
6. A series treatment should focus on selling the characters, relationships and the format of the stories that will be playing each week. It is not about telling or selling a story.A Writer's Life: How To Write a Treatment (March 16, 2007)
Other Elements
- Here are some other elements you may want to include in your pitch bible. You should include anything that will help sell the show.Complications Ensue: Pitches, Pitch Bibles and Bibles (Friday, November 26, 2004) If it won't help sell the show, don't include it.
1. Character Descriptions: A description of major and reoccurring characters. It should include such information as their physical characteristics, personalities and how they interact with other characters.Animation World Magazine: The Pitch Bible: Just The Essentials (December 27, 2004)
2. Concept Art or Images: Any drawings, illustrations or images that will help bring the story's characters and environment to life.Animation World Magazine: The Pitch Bible: Just The Essentials (December 27, 2004)
3. Episode Synopsis or Story Springboards: A description of the plots of individual episodes that come from the original concept.Animation World Magazine: The Pitch Bible: Just The Essentials (December 27, 2004) Each synopsis should have a beginning, middle and an end.
4. Premise or High Concept: The premise is the foundation that explores the establishment, conflict and resolution of the story while supporting the story and the characters.Animation World Magazine: The Pitch Bible: Just The Essentials (December 27, 2004)
Pitch Bible Tips
1. Register your treatment with the Writers Guild of America.Writer's Guild of America, West: Registry This will cost you about twenty dollars.high def: How To: Write an Oversimplified Treatment (May 25, 2008)
2. Do not include your resume or a sample script in your pitch bible.Complications Ensue: Pitches, Pitch Bibles and Bibles (Friday, November 26, 2004)
3. Place your trademark or WGA number on every page.Animation World Magazine: The Pitch Bible: Just The Essentials (December 27, 2004)
4. Have your pitch book bound.Animation World Magazine: The Pitch Bible: Just The Essentials (December 27, 2004)
5. Don't forget to include your contact information.Animation World Magazine: The Pitch Bible: Just The Essentials (December 27, 2004)
Examples
- The following are locations you can find examples of some of the elements listed above:
1. Done Deal Pro: Treatment | Coverage and Synopsis
2. johnaugust.com: Library
3. InkTip.com Successful Loglines and Synopses
4. Stormforce Pictures: Writing a Treatment for Script / Screenplay
5. Writer's Digest: Does Your Screenplay Need a Treatment or a Synopsis? (June 30, 2008)
Step 4: Setting up the Meeting
- Now that you have created the perfect pitch for your show, all you need is someone to pitch it to. Sounds simple, but in truth it is probably the hardest step. Luckily, there are a few different methods that you can try. Here are the most popular:
- 1. Write a query letter and send it to producers and managers.Absolute Write: The Query Quandary
  1. This can be done by post or through email.InkTip.com: The Art of Query
  2. You will be most likely be required to sign a submission agreement before they will read your material.SoYouWanna.com: SoYouWanna Pitch a TV Show?
  3. For address of major production houses, check out:
    New York 411.
    LA 411.
    Hollywood Creative Directory.
- 2. Get an agent.Wordplay Forums: Getting an Agent
  1. Some people advise against this method if you're a newcomer to the industry.Writers Store: Why You Don't Need an Agent - Yet
  2. For a list of agents, check out:
    Writers Guild of America, West: Agency List.
    Writers Guild of America, East: Agency List.
- 3. Attend a pitchfest. Some of the most popular pitchfests include:
  1. Great American PitchFest.
  2. American Screenwriters Association: International Screenwriters Conference.
  3. Final Draft: Take A Meeting.
  4. Fade In Online: Hollywood Pitch Festival.
Step 5: Preparing and Delivering Your Pitch
- Your pitch is your oral presentation that you give to people you want to read your pitch bible. It is where you become a living, breathing commercial for your TV show—and it can make or break your chances. Here are some tips to ensure you pitch is perfect:
1. Know your material.Animation World Magazine: Pitching Animation: Rules of the Game from the Pros That Play It (December 21, 2004) You should know your characters better than you know your friends. Plus, you don't want to read it to them.NATPE: Pitch Tips You want to present it.
2. Dress and act professionally.NATPE: Pitch Tips Arrive at least 15 minutes before the meeting.SoYouWanna.com: SoYouWanna Pitch a TV Show?
3. Bring extra copies of your treatment and other materials.SoYouWanna.com: SoYouWanna Pitch a TV Show? You never know who will be in the meeting with you.
4. Be upbeat, positive and passionate about your idea.SoYouWanna.com: SoYouWanna Pitch a TV Show? Animation World Magazine: Pitching Animation: Rules of the Game from the Pros That Play It (December 21, 2004) If you are not enthusiastic about the show, they won't be either.InkTip.com: 7 Pitching Tips from Ancient Myth to Modern Media
5. Use creative props, but only if they help illustrate your idea.SoYouWanna.com: SoYouWanna Pitch a TV Show?
6. Rehearse your material so it is concise and clear.Animation World Magazine: Pitching Animation: Rules of the Game from the Pros That Play It (December 21, 2004) Use vivid imagery whenever possible.Absolute Write: Making a Short Pitch Better
7. Be polite and don't forget to thank them for their time.HowStuffWorks: How Getting Your Show on TV Works Be receptive to comments and take criticism gracefully.Animation World Magazine: Pitching Animation: Rules of the Game from the Pros That Play It (December 21, 2004)
8. Create a "beat sheet" (or crib sheet) that touches on the main points of your pitch to help you get things down before presenting your pitch.Absolute Write: Pitching is a Hot Topic
9. Try to get your audience involved in your presentation.InkTips.com: Pitching Made Purrfect Know who you are pitching to and try to connect them to the show you are selling.Animation World Magazine: Pitching Animation: Rules of the Game from the Pros That Play It (December 21, 2004) InkTips.com: Pitching Made Purrfect
10. Don't oversell.Scriptologist.com: Good in a Room: A Guide to Pitching Your Script This is not an infomercial, and you don't want to appear desperate.
Conclusion
- Creating your own TV show and seeing it get on the air might seem like an impossible task, but making the impossible come to life seems to be the living definition of Hollywood—that and making dreams come true. While it can be a difficult and frustrating at times, with a little skill, a lot of luck and perseverance anything can happen (just remember to thank Mahalo when you win your Emmy).
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How to Pitch a TV Show

Pitching a TV Show Tips

Related Pages on Mahalo

Categories

Introduction

Step 1: Get an Edge

Writing for Television

Other Paths

Step 2: Get a Great Idea

Step 3: Write a Pitch Bible

Logline

Synopsis

Treatment

Other Elements

Pitch Bible Tips

Examples

Step 4: Setting up the Meeting

Step 5: Preparing and Delivering Your Pitch

Conclusion

Blogs | Add a Link

Books | Add a Link

Writing Workshops | Add a Link

Official Sites | Add a Link

Other Websites

References

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