How do I pitch a Documentary-style TV show?
June 30, 2010 6:25 PM Subscribe
What advice or resources do you have for someone about to pitch their first documentary-style TV show?
An executive at a large us cable network has asked me for pitches. I have an idea, and no experience in TV at all. Besides the "it's this meets that" statement, what do I need to know about the process and presentation? Do I need a script or treatment? Examples of similar shows (outside of their names)? Are there templates around that I should follow? Your sucessful or unsucessful experiences would be appreciated.
Posted anonymously because bosses read metafilter and would be concrerned with this extracurricular acivity.
An executive at a large us cable network has asked me for pitches. I have an idea, and no experience in TV at all. Besides the "it's this meets that" statement, what do I need to know about the process and presentation? Do I need a script or treatment? Examples of similar shows (outside of their names)? Are there templates around that I should follow? Your sucessful or unsucessful experiences would be appreciated.
Posted anonymously because bosses read metafilter and would be concrerned with this extracurricular acivity.
Mod note: From the OP:
This would a nonfiction Documentary/Reality show (more like Man vs Food than Intervention), for a network known for its variety of nonfiction subjects.posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:21 AM on July 1, 2010
Short answer is to watch every show on that network, so you're intimately familiar with the product they make. Then do internet research to make sure your idea isn't already being developed (or shown on TV). And no need for paper unless they ask for it. Also, realize going in that if you don't have talent attached or unique access to the subject of your pitch, you're not going to sell them anything. Ideas are cheap, and TV development execs are paid to take meetings -- hundreds upon hundreds of them per year.
That said, it's exciting if you've never done it before, and you'll get a free bottle of water. I do this kind of thing for a living, and I'm happy to answer more detailed questions on MeMail.
posted by turducken at 9:59 PM on July 1, 2010
That said, it's exciting if you've never done it before, and you'll get a free bottle of water. I do this kind of thing for a living, and I'm happy to answer more detailed questions on MeMail.
posted by turducken at 9:59 PM on July 1, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by visual mechanic at 10:52 PM on June 30, 2010