TV Pilot Pitch

[MacGyver]

I don't know if this is the correct area to post this in, but: I wrote a script for a TV show pilot, which I am hoping will get picked up. The only problem is that I have absolutely no idea what to do next. I have the script, and that's it.... any help? What should be my next step?

I also wrote the role with myself in mind (I'm an actor), so how would I get my show pitched and also let them know that I want to cast myself in it?

 

[GabrielM]

After many rewrites and polishing, you should have the script copyrighted. Then you should show it to some loyal colleagues that work in the industry and ask for feedback.

Bear in mind that while selling/pitching a TV pilot you're dealing with some television moguls that do not tolerate any less than perfection, so yes, there's more rewriting coming your way. You probably think that your script is good, but, with all due respect, it probably isn't. Everybody thinks their material is great. Everybody thinks they have the gift. Everybody thinks they are part of a select few that can produce marvels at the tip of their fingers.

Who knows, you might just be one of those... But play it cool, stranger. Nobody likes arrogance.

You should consider yourself fortunate if you're able to sell this or any other pilot. And now you also want to act in it! I know Matt Damon and Ben Affleck did it but how often do you see that happen?

Nevertheless... You will need a literary/talent agent that knows how to play that Hollywood cards. They are the ones that can negotiate contracts and barter your way in.

 

[Morris]

Most agents and networks want more than one episode or sample of your work. Try and have at least 3 to show.

 

[MacGyver]

I do have a talent agent, but I don't have a literary agent, since I don't tend to do a lot of writing. I'll have to ask my agent - maybe she knows more?

I actually wrote it because I'm getting tired of there not being any decent roles for someone my age and gender in my area. Now, suppose my pilot actually got picked up. I don't think I would necessarily want to write the rest of the episodes. I wouldn't mind helping - co-writing, I mean - but I really don't consider myself much of a writer. I want to give potential producers/networks/etc a good idea of what my show would be like. Do I still need to write another episode or 2 if I make it clear of my intention? Do you think some story lines for future episodes would be enough?

 

[steve gelder]

Most producers will want to see a "story bible" which is a breakdown of episode ideas for anywhere from 6 - 13 episodes, or more. They want to know that this idea has a future, as they will be selling the idea of a series to a network or channel that wants to see some longevity to it.

A number of shows actually hire writing staffs to put enough scripts together to fill a season with solid laughs. It's rare that shows are written by one specific writer for the entire length of the series, so not wanting to be head writer for it probably won't be a problem.

As previously recommended, it's probably a good idea to have two or three scripts in the can, and have outlines/ideas for more episodes.

Your talent agent will probably appreciate you asking her for literary agent referrals; it shows you have respect for her time in the industry and the connections she may have made. It also lets her know you're being pro-active with your career.

Good luck!

gelder

 

[directorik]

... I really don't consider myself much of a writer. I want to give potential producers/networks/etc a good idea of what my show would be like. Do I still need to write another episode or 2 if I make it clear of my intention? Do you think some story lines for future episodes would be enough?

Television is very different than film. And MUCH harder to break
into. The path to "show runner" isn't similar to the path of the
"spec" writer.

1) You begin by writing a bunch of sample scripts for existing TV
shows - the top shows, the cool shows.

2) These scripts are not submitted to the shows they are written
for. If you write a sample script for BURN NOTICE you don't send
it to BURN NOTICE because they will not give it a fair read. The
BURN NOTICE producers know everything about their own show -
and you do not. So when you are just a little bit off, they notice
and it ruins the script for them. So your BURN NOTICE script goes
to some other show where they won't notice the little things.

3) Most likely, the script will go to the worst TV show you can imagine.
Because no one starts writing for HOUSE or CSI or GREY'S ANATOMY
or whatever the good shows are - they start out writing for junk shows.
Look up your favorite TV writer here and see where they began. Before
writing CRASH and CASINO ROYALE, Paul Haggis was a TV writer on LA
LAW and EZ STREETS... but he began writing SCOOBY DO cartoons and
episodes of DIFFERENT STROKES. You start at the bottom.

4) The first job you'll get is a freelance episodes. Every show has staff
writers who write all but 2 to 4 episodes of the show. Those 2 to 4 episodes
a year must go to writers who are not on staff - which opens the doors to
new writers. There is a lot of competition to write those episodes - and on
a top show those episodes may be written by a top writer who didn't get
on staff this year, or whose show got canceled. That means all of the new
writers trying to break in are trying for those freelance episodes of that
stupid Disney Channel show.

5) You write freelance episodes and do great work... until a staff position
on some show opens up and they hire you. Again - this will not be a staff
position on a good show, it will be on some awful show, but you will now
be a full time writer on a TV show - not many people have that job.

6) You work your way up until you are actually a staff writer on a show
you like.

7) Now it either works one of two ways - if that show is a hit, someone will
ask you if you have any ideas for TV shows. And that's when you start
pulling out those pilot scripts. OR, you are promoted to head writer on the
show and then someone asks you if you have any ideas for TV shows. And
that's when you start pulling out the pilot scripts.

8) Only a small percentage of pilot scripts they buy get put on film, and only
a small percentage of pilot shows that are shot end up on the network schedule,
and most of those get canceled.

This is what other writers are doing right now. That is the standard to getting
your TV series in production. Having an idea and one or two scripts just isn't
going to fly in the world of TV.

You may be the exception. As an actor you may have an "IN" that most writers
do not have. If your agent has connections with TV producers who are looking
for a project for you to star in, then your one pilot script might be enough to
get the ball rolling.

 

[MacGyver]

I'll ask my agent and see what she knows. I know there aren't a whole lot of TV projects filming around here (I don't live in LA or New York), but who knows? Maybe she'll know somebody important. Thanks for all of your help! If anyone else happens to have any ideas or anything, please let me know!

I suppose I can always write another episode or 2, especially if I can find someone who's interested in it.

 

[Tremblett]

If you are not a writer, I might suggest you look at some TV scripts from existing TV shows. It'll help you generate ideas for other episode plots for your story bible!