Search form

Self financed Pilot + Pitch and Writer's Bible, what next?

4 posts / 0 new
Last post
Self financed Pilot + Pitch and Writer's Bible, what next?

Hi we're trying to understand the tricky business of making an animated series happen.

Myself and some seasoned film animators have teamed together and taken time off work to create a package to pitch a show. We have an Animation Bible. Pilot Script, mid seasaon Script, and a 5 minute section of one of these scripts fully produced (animated, voice artists, music etc...) Now that we have the goods we're trying to get our heads round the next stage.

1.) We're outsiders with only fx work in film to our names so our research is showing that we need an agent before anyone will even look at our stuff. No matter how awesome it may be:)
Can anyone recommend a London,UK based agent or any info on how to find a reputable one?

2.) Financing. How does this work? So far it this is what we've managned to ascertain...

a.) Pitch to the idea to BBC/national braodcasters and get letters of intent. Then seek international broadcasters. Get 100% of budget back from these letters, but you only get the money once it's delivered. Correct?

b.) Take letters of intent to existing animation studios, studios tend not to work together so have to get just one on board, cut a deal with them to actually produce the goods.
OR
Set up your won studio and make it yourself.

BUT... In both cases, where do we actually get the budget money from to pay for this animationwork if we don't see any money until we deliver to the broadcasters?

Cheers in advance.

thats the tricky part. you go to a bank or equity firm and from there try and raise the monies. alternatively you can try and pre-sell international rights etc, pick up advances on them and go that route.

Thanks for the help skinnylizard, could you elaborate on "pre selling international rights" a little more please?

Anyone know of UK based agents/entertainment lawyers?

I've found a few agents but they don't seem to even look at you if they haven't heard of you already. Catch-22.

pre-selling well is what it sounds like. you have a letter of intent, you have a bible, if you can put together a clip as well you could probably hit up a few markets directly or go to something like Mipcom or mipcom jr and try and sell the show for a certain schedule with payment on delivery.

once you have a revenue schedule you can borrow against that.

it sounds a lot easier than it actually is though.