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wildmagic New user 2 Posts |
I would like to pitch an idea to a TV station.
But don't know much about doing it so would like some advice. 1-Do you need an agent or manager? 2-What's the best way to go about your pitch? 3-Is it just the idea you need to sell or do you have to go into figures etc.? 4-Any advice about this subject would be appreciated from people who know. Best wishes |
jmarquiso New user 11 Posts |
Are you going to a TV station or a television syndicator? A local TV station rarely has their own production equipment outside of news. A major market TV station rarely has spots left to fill.
I'm in a similar process with a sitcom I've been working on awhile - so I can tell you this: Agents help. They aren't necessary (though several TV syndicators will simply NOT meet with you otherwise), but agents have the contacts necessary to sell someone. In order for them to represent you, though, you need to have a track record of work. Usually you need a referral. Also TV production companies like pre-packaged material - and so - since agents represent multiple clients at once - they tend to package things together for the convenience of the company. However, the key here, though, is contacts. If you're able to get contacts with specific key people (look for someone in Reality TV development, if you're proposing, say, a magic show for TV), or maybe, perform a corporate show for their company, that's the contact you press. If you're excited about it, they'll get excited by it. Figures are researched later during the development period. First you go through the development person, who then presents it to the network or cable station. Then it's test-marketed. Then a pilot is filmed. Then it's test-marketed. Then they buy so many episodes. That's when the figures come in. However, it's good to know just how much a show like this is going to cost. A good line producer will be able to tell you that. Another option, for the time being (again, I don't know your contacts or where you are in your career) - is to have a public-access tv show. This will cost you money, but you generate your own following, and show that, in a small market, you can be reputable. Buy the following trades: Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. Look for what's currently filming for television, play close attention to reality TV, Travel Channel, or Learning Channel programs and the companies that film them. Write a description of your show, a treatment or a pitch, and register it with the library of congress. Then, write an "informational query" letter to the company, preferably addressed to the producers of those shows. Write about who you are, and say you're interested in the possibilities of television development, and would like to know what the process would be. If they're interested, they'll ask for more information, and if not, they'll either ignore it, send you a rejection letter, or tell you who they know might be interested. |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
jmarquiso,
Great job of putting it into a box for him! Good luck in California. Bob Magic By Sander |
Steve Hart Veteran user Cocoa, FL 388 Posts |
What type of TV station were you wanting to pitch this to?
Jmarquiso is correct about looking into a Public Access Station. If you can get a test show taped then you will have something to show and sell. Hey doing a TV show is not easy, I know I had one for a year. We taped 48 shows. Turned out to be the number one family show for that time slot in a statewide market. Yeah But this was back in 1991. Steve Hart
www.SteveHartSpeaks.com
www.magic2motivate.com "Motivational Magicians are some of the highest paid magicians, find out why?" |
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