You have an idea that you love. You've got the series bible roughed out and have brilliant casting choices. You've got the opportunity to present it to a programming or development executive. What's the one thing they want to know more than anything else?
What is this show going to do for me?
You have to show them that the program will 1)increase their audience, 2)bring a new audience to their network, 3)attract the key demographic that they need.
Remember that your show is meant to be popular entertainment. Spend time in your pitch demonstrating how similar programs attracted audience for other networks. Describe the likely audience and how the show fits with the other programs on their network, or with their development slate. If you show that you've spent some time thinking about helping their business, the executives will give you a more respectful hearing. More importantly, even if they pass on this particular idea, they will be more open to hearing your next idea.
That network or development executive hears lots of pitches every day. Distinguish yourself by showing how your idea will make them money.
How useful is it to get some sponsor support first?
ReplyDeleteDanny,
ReplyDeleteIn these economic times it is very useful to get sponsor support first. If you can walk into a meeting with sponsor support, you have a much easier time of getting your show on. In fact, if you have enough sponsor support you can just buy the time from the network. The catch is that it's difficult to find sponsor support without distribution.
Peter