Question

Topic: Strategy

How Do I Pitch To A Network Television Studio?

Posted by joshuacrumbaugh on 1/20/2009 at 5:23 PM ET 500 Points
Hello,

I am in the process of finalizing the launch of a nationwide social experiment dealing with what can be achieved through mass organization. Although the experiment has received a great deal of attention I feel that it would be more successful and have a higher ROI if it were had it's own show. I understand the difficulties in getting a network to take on a new show and realize that this won't be an easy process. I am simply asking for your advise on how to get my foot in the door to make a pitch as well as an idea of what that pitch might look like.

Thank you,
Joshua D. Crumbaugh
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 1/21/2009 at 7:57 AM Member
    Why not produce your own show for public access TV? The work that you do both can get airtime (generally locally) and be used to show networks what specifically you have in mind.
  • Posted by joshuacrumbaugh on 1/21/2009 at 9:44 AM Author
    We have not yet gone live with the experiment and due to that as well as the fact that this is a public forum I can not go into details on the experiment. I can however go over a few bullet points.

    #1: The social experiment tests the ideology that a group of people cooperating to accomplish the same common goal are capable of nearly anything.

    #2: The group is 365 people from across the nation. (which makes producing my own show nearly impossible without doubling the budget for the experiment.)

    #3: When it comes to the networks interest I feel strongly that this will make great TV and combine some of the best attributes from shows like the Apprentice, American Idol and The Big Idea.

    Also, I'm just asking how to get my foot in the door. I realize that once it's there my pitch as well as experiment will have to close them. I also realize that they are concerned with profit and due to the nature of this experiment it can be duplicated year after year and depending on the success will most likely generate a great deal of hype.

    I hope this helps...
  • Posted by joshuacrumbaugh on 1/21/2009 at 10:58 AM Author
    I never anticipated them actually following everyone. Does anyone actually know how to go about contacting a network to make a pitch?
  • Posted by joshuacrumbaugh on 1/21/2009 at 11:40 AM Author
    Thank you Tinker
  • Posted by SteveByrneMarketing on 1/22/2009 at 12:25 AM Accepted
    There is a saying among lawyers which goes something like "a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client".

    In my experience, you should get an agent who is known to the network executives you are targeting. Also, register your concept with the Writers Guild of America.

    www.wga.org

    best of luck

    Steve

  • Posted by J Geibel on 1/23/2009 at 4:04 PM Accepted
    I tried that (submitting a business plan for a program that I would produce) several years ago. Based on that experience, I wouldn't offer you much encouragement.

    Every network has a "Program Development" department or something like that.Essentially you develop a business plan (called a treatment in the industry) sign away all rights to it (on their forms - they won't look at it otherwise) and submit it. If you're lucky - you may get a canned rejection letter.

    Another approach is to contact production houses that produce television programs for the networks. (You need to do some research to determine who they are.) There are a few in my backyard so I spoke to them. But don't expect much better response from them. Educational, yes - encouraging - no.

    The fact of the matter is that networks get tons of submissions by people who have no clue as to what is involved in producing television (I didn't at the time) - plus the networks are looking for a commercially successful formula. They know what that is, as far as they are concerned - you and I don't.

    What I did eventually was the path suggested by someone above - I became qualified as a producer via community access. Now I can do both studio and field production, editing, etc. The trick is to find an access station that produces to professional broadcast standards. Some come really close - high def and all.

    At this point - if I wanted to do a program to pitch to the networks - I would produce several episodes on community broadcast and them shop them with the networks, etc. Then it is a different story - it's not just an idea - its an actual program. With streaming video these days - might be able to simply set up your own web site and go direct to viewers.

    So if you thought it was just something that the networks would think would be a big hit with a big budget - doesn't work that way. I know someone who produced a short-lived series for Discovery - the network exerted so much control they essentially destroyed the original concept and approach. The show failed. I don't know for sure - but I suspect the producers lost a fair amount of money.

    I found commercial television to be a cold, standoffish industry. But it led me to public access and the skillset to do it on my own.

    My original program? I still think about it now and again - but it would be too much work and I don't see the demographics for market success or the payout for it. Producing 13 to 22 episodes for a broadcast season is a lot of work - basically, a full-time job. And they aren't going to pay you squat for it. So I produce a lot of other stuff in my spare time - learn a lot, and have fun doing it with interesting people who also enjoy what they are doing. Few in commercial television that I encountered seemed to be able to say that.
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