#Pitching a tv pilot series

*Continue meeting as many people as you can. *Be as gracious accepting the no as the yes When the answer is almost always a no, (an estimated 85% of pilots fail) here are a few ways to frame the perceived rejection: In a world where executives hear at least three pitches a day and move forward with just one successful pitch a week, there is plenty of opportunity to take a pass personally. For instance the 14 th annual NYTVF was the most successful yet, with a record-breaking 620 development meetings taking place between independent TV creators and industry executives, up from 600 last year.

#Pitching a tv pilot series

They are designed as one route to getting a series off the ground. Believe in it enough to reposition and retool it.Д¬ircle back by reaching out with something new to advance the discussion.Д¬onsider attending a TV festival. Д¬arefully review the feedback from the meeting.

If they like it, the network or production company will likely work with you to help shape it. вЂњBy the way, I have a couple of other quick ideas to run past you.вЂќДonвЂ™t worry if the concept of your pilot isnвЂ™t an exact fit. Get to know the person you are speaking with beyond the pitch.ДЇor instance, if you are given 30 minutes, set aside 10 for candid dialogue at the end and itвЂ™s okay to do some self-promotion to wrap things up. People want to work with other awesome people. вЂњI hadnвЂ™t thought about thatвЂќ or, вЂњIвЂ™ll get back to you on that.вЂќД¬learly explain what makes you different and attractive as a partner. A couple of rote responses to something you might not know include: In a pitch meeting, listen to what people on the other side of the table are saying.ДЄccept that itвЂ™s okay not to have all the answers. In essence, make yourself memorable by relating your own personal narrative and focusing on your strengths.

Who are you? Why should I care? WhatвЂ™s your story? Why now? Touch on all the questions that might be posed to you about your pilot, script or sizzle reel. *The way you pitch an idea should reflect the way you want to write it. *Practice your pitch in advance by recording it on camera, and strive to be as concise as possible It is worth the money to have a polished, snappy piece. *If you are making a sizzle reel, (a 1:30 вЂ“ 3 minute promo tape that teases the pilot,) or a full-on pilot, donвЂ™t skimp on a video editor. *Decide whether your series will be scripted or unscripted *The key is to target the appropriate marketplace for your inventory ItвЂ™s a great time to be floating out a pilot because thereвЂ™s so many distribution channels these days. Express clearly why you are the only one to tell this story. Your passion for the project has to be palpable. It might sound clichГ©, but the concept never grows old. The panelists, a mix of executives from leading networks, studios, agencies and digital platforms as well as showrunners, producers, writers and comedians ran the gamut from outlets such as CBS, NBC, truTV, Comedy Central, Showtime, BBCAmerica and HBO. Be yourself, be unique, seemed to be the mantra.ДЄlthough the spate of panels didnвЂ™t directly address travel programming as such, many of the general tips can easily be applied to this genre of entertainment. That not so cryptic message resounding throughout the 14th annual NYTVF, based primarily at the Helen Mills Theater and Event Space on W 26th Street. вЂњWeвЂ™re always looking for unknown talent, but not looking for a new Anthony Bourdain,вЂќ was the consensus. The searing answer, delivered during the opening presentation Pitch This! at the NY Television Festival, (NYTVF) was served up as quickly as a flash-fried chicken thigh. How do I become the next Anthony Bourdain? ThatвЂ™s the question an earnest young attendee asked the panel of experts, revealing her desire to replace the CNN host & celebrity chef who took his own life earlier this year. It didnвЂ™t take long to broach the subject.