I was wondering could anyone help me with pitching. Who do i need to talk to to pitch a show to a network, and how exactly do i go about pitching it?Thanks
Pitching Assistance Please
By Premier8705 | Monday, March 10, 2008 at 8:57am
#1
Pitching Assistance Please
there are a lot of articles on pitching. but to help you out some:
one way is to create a bible. it should include:
a. cover
b. series synopsis with age range, length and style
c. character descriptions and designs
d. 3 episode synopsis'
e. 1-2 line hook
f. 1 paragraph series description
g. 3-5 images of the series
h. your bio
i. whatever else someone wants.
next figure out what age range you're trying to sell your show to.
next figure out who buys that age range.
next get the name of the person in charge of acquisitions
next email them and ask how they would like to be pitched.
next follow their instructions.
I am about to start pitching a concept for a kids tv animation series . I did everything you mentioned above for the "bible," and I have also written 25 episodes (short format). Although I know it's not necessary to write many episodes, I did it because I noticed it helped me define my characters and series better. I am based in Europe, I have registered my concept and scripts with a copyrights organization, and I will start pitching to European producers soon. Since I've never done this before, I don't really know what to expect for reactions or the negotiation process. I have read pitching articles but they are always nebulous on details and on how things actually take place.
Will producers ask to read my written scripts of the episodes? Should I just tell them about some of the plots but keep the scripts to myself until we have signed something? At what point of the pitching or negotiation process do I hand over all the episode scripts if they are interested in reading them?
Thanks for any input, specially from people who have done this before!
Anim-newbie
Just write those scripts. It's good exercise, you'll know your eps inside out in case a written or oral summary is enough and you'll be all set if they want to see actual scripts. Start with a multi-page episode overview, tweak it until the general structure is OK, then add dialog and more detailled scene descriptions.
it sounds like you have everything for the next step: selling.
now what you have to do is get meetings and prep for those. practicing responses are helpful.
and i think that the most important things to do are not the scripts but selling your idea, your enthusiasm and you. you want these producers to want to work with you. because in the past 6 months they've seen your idea at least 10 times and they can only pick up 1-2 shows for their next round of acquisitions.
so why would they pick up yours? do you have a name attached? do you have money attached? do you have someone committed to airing it somewhere in the world? do you have a studio that gets government subsidies ready to produce it cheaply? if your answer is no to all of these then you don't have much to sell. except yourself.
you're prepared for everything (i assume you have an agent and/or lawyer) so now young man/woman go out there and sell yourself.