The TV Pitch

TV Pitch: (due by 1:15 today!)

A. Please read the linked article from Netflix above concerning TV Pitches. Take note of things that a network TV producer may be looking for in a pitch or a television series.

B. Write your own pitch (to be turned in) and then (after writing the pitch today) post a comment in the COMMENT section of this blog the key details of your TV Pitch. See below for details.

C. Typical TV Genres. See the link to help you come up with an idea. Choose a genre you like and work from there to get your idea.

What Do We Need in a Pitch?

1. Title. Create an interesting title that touches on the main theme of the story, or the dramatic tension faced by your character. For example: Lost, Big Bang Theory, The Simpsons, etc.

2. Logline/Premise. A punchy yet impactful summation of the story concept or premise. No more than two sentences, ideally one. A logline for a narrative series will usually delve into the particular circumstances and conflict that drives the plot forward. For our purposes, your Logline/Premise should be 1-2 sentences for the idea of the show.

• ex. The Haunting of Hill House: Logline: The series explores a group of siblings who, as children, grew up in what would go on to become the most famous haunted house in the country. Now adults, and forced back together in the face of tragedy, the family must finally confront the ghosts of their past, some of which still lurk in their minds while others may actually be stalking the shadows of Hill House.
• ex. Breaking Bad: Logline: When chemistry teacher Walter White is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given only two years to live, he decides he has nothing to lose. He lives with his teenage son, who has cerebral palsy, and his wife, in New Mexico. Determined to ensure that his family will have a secure future, Walt embarks on a career of drugs and crime.
• ex. Star Trek: The Next Generation: Logline: Set in the twenty-fourth century and seven to eight decades after the adventures of the original crew of the starship Enterprise, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew travel to distant planets to seek out new life and to boldly go where no one has gone before.

3. Synopsis. A broad overview of the series, making clear the world it’s set in and the dynamics between the characters. This is of particular importance from a commercial perspective to a network, because you’re highlighting the most compelling thematic facets of the series. This could be accomplished in a few paragraphs, or a number of pages so long as the writing itself is polished and reads at a nice clip. For our purposes, your synopsis for the season arc should include a few ideas (premises) for episodes. Each premise should be a sentence or two (see above).

• Ex. See Big Bang Theory (look at the description section of the chart/graphic... this is a story synopsis. Taken together is the season ARC. 

4. Season outline. A step-by-step breakdown of the pilot episode, running through the arc of the plot.
Future episodes. A list of six to ten descriptions of potential future episodes—something akin to a logline for each one.

• Ex. Bob's Burgers (scroll down to see the season outline)

5. Characters. Describe your protagonist and other key players in the show. Speak to their backgrounds as well as their current lifestyle in a paragraph or so. Explain the way in which they view the world; how they see themselves and how they relate to other people. Find their flaws, their quirks, and the unique personality traits that make them tick.

• Ex. Empire (scroll down to see sample descriptions of characters)

All of these elements (#: 1-5) should be written in a document that can be printed out. Put together, #1-5 should broadly address the following:

• What is your premise?
• How are your primary characters and your characters’ world unique?
• What makes the audience care about these characters?
• What are their complexities and their flaws?
• What drives them to make the choices they do?
• Why do you as a writer feel the need to tell this particular story?
• What do you want the audience to take away from it?
• What is the overall tone of the show?
• If possible, compare it to a combination of other, existing programs or movies.
• Track the character arcs over the course of the entire season, to show how the characters evolve throughout it.
• A broad, “big picture” look at the story of the first season, which outlines its major beats and movements.
• What makes this show stand out from the pack? Why should they green-light your vision over any number of similar, competing ones?

In your description in the COMMENT section, please answer some of these bullet points when "pitching" your show idea. Give us the premise/logline you wrote, the primary characters/protagonists, tone/genre of the show and the "big picture" scope of your 1st season. The class will vote on the ideas--with the top 3 potentially given "life" for our TV script unit project. Once pitches are accepted, students will choose 1 of 3 groups to join that "writing team". More details to follow.

Finally, take the survey and hand in by the end of class. Once all surveys are in and the 3 top shows are offered a pilot by the producer (me), you will join one of these writing groups. Each group is limited to 6 writers! [a group may have fewer than 6]

Please begin reading the TV script format packet for next class. 

HOMEWORK: None. If you have late or missing work, please complete it.