Pitching tv idea to a network?

Adam J McKay

Adam J McKay

Veteran
Hey guys,

I have recently come up with an idea for a series and I want to know the best way of going about pitching it to a company. I have no experience in television...or film really, when it comes to the business side of things. Should I just make a pilot episode? A written proposal? What is the best way to go about this? And how can I make sure that when proposing an idea, they don't shoot it down and come out with it later on?

Thanks in advance,
Adam McKay
 
I'm curious about TV pitches as well, like how to put together a TV package or get the right connections to at least get your project reviewed somehow. Do you write 3-5 full length episode scripts, film a pilot, prepare marketing materials, what is the best way to go? I know sometimes networks (especially cable ones) need material fast if something falls through, and if you have something good ready I would think there's a market, but the kind of funding it would take to make a high quality pilot episode even wouldn't be easy to come by. Still I'd like to know more about the logistics and producer aspects of television.
 
My idea is a reality based type show, I was initially thinking about it for a documentary however an hour just isnt long enough. For a 3 or 4 segment doc, so my next logical train of thought is tv.
 
Sorry guys, but you really don't have a chance. Making a movie is much much easier than getting anything on TV! The TV guys only work with people they know, so you'll have to find an established production company or producer and partner with them before you have the slightest chance of talking to anybody real. And yes, if it's any good, you'll most likely be ripped off. You'll want to register the scripts or treatments with the WGA for a modicum of protection. But even then, there are no guarantees it won't be modified and used. About the only other way around is to hire an entertainment lawyer with the connections to the networks and cable channels...pull out your wallet.
 
I absolutely agree with FrankC in everything he says. I had the opportunity to pitch the networks (and cable) on more than one occasion. Not because I am a Player, but because I had a property that they wanted. And I was fortunate enough to get name talent attached. That name talent's agent went in with my partner and I when we pitched. The power in that room with the network VP's on one side and the agents on the other was so thick it was amazing. More incredible than anything depicted on TV (i.e. Seinfeld pitching ideas in his TV show episodes). When the Network said, "We don't understand who the audience would be," my partner and I were prepared and started to pitch them on that angle. When all of a sudden, the Agent held up his hand to quiet the room and said to NBC, "Let's quit the bullshit, you owe my client a TV movie and this is the one she wants to do. It's pay or play; if you don't give it to her you owe her $xxx,xxx." The Network then said, "We satisfied that contract obligation in the movie she was in last year for us." "Nope," said the Agent, "that was a film you asked her to be in; if you'll pull the contract, you'll she that you owe her the film of her choice." Believe it or not, the Network guys had spiral bound notebooks on the shelf behind them that they pulled down and referenced the contract...on the spot. Yes, the Agent was correct. When I walked out of NBC, I was absolutely positive that we had sold the son-of-a-*****. Nope - they paid her the pay-or-play. They must have really hated my idea! And this was only one of the networks. I can tell you that in the world of television, it's much easier to have an established property: a book, magazine article, song...anything that you can put on the table in front of them and say "this is an already proven concept," as opposed to a script or an idea that you came up with. Like FrankC said, unless you are established, or go in with someone who is established, the deck is stacked against you...unless you have something that they want. If you are interested in the business of production, go the TV route and don't expect to see much of your idea/script after you sell it. If you'd rather make films, make films. Good luck to you.
 
after copyrighting and trademarking everything, you can either submit a treatment in hopes that they will finance a trailer or shoot that on your own and get it on the air via cold calls.
Most of em dont take unsoicited material. It;s as easy as calling them and getting a release form for submission.
 
It is difficult, but not impossible. Develop your concept as far as you can, shoot a perfect pilot, create promo materials, and then scrap together $2-3K and take a booth at NATPE.
You'll be right in the middle of 1000 studio/network execs walking by your booth and if your idea is great and ready to go, you'll hold court with some of them. You may not get on NBC or even sell your idea, but you will get your foot in the door.
 
you can share a booth too. With so many one-man-band pitchers out there now, it's quite common to have a shared booth.
 
We take my agent and our entertainment attorney on our pitches. So far, they've all been in Los Angeles, so having those two guys out there is a no-brainer.

When we pitched to We, it was by email with a taster, one-pager and episodic breakdown attachments and a [We] submission agreement. GSN was no submission agreement, leave-behinds for each game we pitched and our agent and attorney in the room. All of our games are copyrighted (yes, you absolutely can) with Library of Congress, trademarked in name and registered with WGAWest.

Still, they can take it. We were told that GSN had a game coming on that bore some resemblance to one of our three games the moment we started pitching it. That's when you know you're dealing with guys who have been around the business and who value relationships. A good deal of studio execs may not reveal this point to you, though you always go into a pitch thinking that they might already have your exact idea already in development or ready for production. You have to think this way.

e
 
bringing the point of protection.
When they tell you they are already working on that concept, they do mean it if you have not protected your concept.
lol
I have 3 TV shows on the air today that I'll never get paid for. Don't go in thinking they are friendly folks. They only are of they come to you.
 
grinner said:
bringing the point of protection.
When they tell you they are already working on that concept, they do mean it if you have not protected your concept.
lol
I have 3 TV shows on the air today that I'll never get paid for. Don't go in thinking they are friendly folks. They only are of they come to you.
Click to expand...

We always bring the entertainment attorney with us to a pitch. Some don't. I do. He's a partner in every one of our shows, so we get him pro-bono. I would advise having an attorney along whenever possible. An agent is a necessity - at least to set up the meeting.

Back in the mid-80s, my friends and I used to go to Huntington and Newport and Seal Beach to surf every day during the summer. One day, this incredibly hot lifeguard was in the tower next to us chatting-up the guy who was posted there.

Anyway, she takes off and we start talking about how insane it would be to have a TV show about lifeguards. You know, basically naked women in red bikinis running around and the yellow jeeps and all that.

Well, wouldn't you know it, in 1989, there was Baywatch. Now, we don't know if it was that Bonnan guy in the tower, but that was the first time I felt like you should never talk about your concepts with anyone.

For the record, we wouldn't have the brilliant forethought to have cast The Hoff as NBC did when they took over in 2001.

Brilliant.

e
 
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