You have an idea for a show! Now what?

I get this sort of email each week:

Hi, I am trying to write and pitch a tv pilot.  I was just wondering if you could help me out with some info like: what is needed in a proposal and who / how do you attempt to sell it to a network. Thanks a million!

So I figure it might be helpful to answer the question for everyone.  Simple answer:  Hell if I know!  Call me if you figure it out.  First I would suggest writing a treatment, next register your idea with the WGA, and finally start selling your show to networks.  What is your idea? He answers:

Basically all we have is an idea for a sitcom, we really 110% believe this will work. Its based around the [removed] we have the rough sketch / outline / synopsis (whatever its called). What we don't know if A. were missing anything and B. Once we have this outline who are the correct people we should seek out and pitch this to. How do this process work. One of the big advantages we have going for us if that we already operate [removed]. we would have a very unique advantage in marketing this than any normal sitcom or television show.

So here are some thoughts (worth exactly what you are paying for them):

First,  you need something 'they' can't get.  Otherwise you walk in the with the next killer idea and likely have people they 'trust' who can execute quickly and with less risk that you can.  (this happened with the Contender series)  So we had the venue, a pilot in the can, and a BIG headstart.  Even then a few people tried to 'steal' our idea and beat us to the punch.  What can you 'get' that they can't? Well a star – getting a big name attached before you pitch can really help.  Get a show runner who has worked with the networks you want to use – it will be hard to get someone good – the good guys are busy – the bad guys are available. 

Second, most networks won't review unsolicited work – i.e. If they have not asked you for it, they won't watch it.  This is true for major networks and cable networks.  It is crazy hard to get in the door.  So you might consider hiring an agent or get an entertainment lawyer who has connections.  Also, you might consider hiring a production company – cut them in on the deal and get them to help you sell the idea. 

So what are you going to get for all your trouble?  If the sitcom makes it you can make $1-5K per show.  Alternatives?  Have you considered shooting the program yourself?  Editing is very easy (for less than $5K you can get the latest greatest editing station).  Start airing your show on the Internet and then pitch your existing show that already has an audience.  Online distribution is going to be huge – get in early and you might get press for being early – if your show is any good you may get press for having great content – if your show is very good you might get picked up by a network.  If you succeed going this route you will make a lot more per show – 10s of thousands per episode. 

It is almost impossible to play the network game and make any money.   You have to change the game to win – do something they can't – get something they can't and so on...  Good luck!

Then he asks:

I'm curious about your experience with other people trying to steal your ideas or get it done quicker without you. How did they try to steal your idea, who were these people? Networks, agents, random people? etc? How competitive was this? Is this something I should really keep a tight grip of?

I figure the odds of this becoming an actual show I see on TV is the same odds of hitting the lotto, but I'm going in on the attitude you have to be in it to win it and not going to quit my day job.

First, just let go – tell EVERYONE your idea.  You will NOT be able to protect it.  Besides locking up a location or attaching an actor to the project your only protection will be your desire to get your idea on TV.  No one else cares as much as you do about the project.  So who might try to steal it?  Everyone.  The network you pitch to might say, that is a great idea we are working on something similar and indeed they might be working on something that will quickly turn into your show idea.  Everyone has lots of projects in development – i.e. Prior to purchasing them for air.  How can you prevent this from happening?  If EVERYONE knows you are working on something then everyone will know it was your idea.  Get it?  Everyone assumes they should keep their idea secret until the last possible minute.  The opposite is true.  Blog about your concept.  Talk about it.  Email every network executive with your treatment.  Call agents, lawyers and so on...

He then responds:

Again, thank you for all your help...ever thought about writing a book about this subject? You would do very well.

Write a book?  With all of this bogging, who has time to write books?

Comments

[Jonas]

Actually, with all the blogging you do, you already have the material you need for a book. Most probably all you need to do is to compile everything and send them to an editor.

I plan to do something similar with my blog, The Blurb. :)

[JEROGatch]

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[matt h]

for less than $5K you can get the latest greatest editing station)

THAT IS JUST INCORRECT

1300 for Final Cut Pro, and 4-5k for a computer with enough power

[Biagio Messina]

I enjoyed this post a lot. I remember when we started out, we had no idea what to do, how to break in, how to protect our ideas.
We did in fact end up shooting two 22-minute reality television pilots from scratch. While we didn't sell those, they ended up being instrumental in launching our career as show-runners on Beauty and the Geek, and eventually launching our company with pilots for Logo, Bravo, Vh1 and E!, and our company's first series, VH1' Scream Queens.
When it comes to breaking in, this is an approach we believe in. We wrote more about it here:
http://www.jokeandbiagio.com/should-i-produce-my-own-reality-tv-pilot
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll be writing more about you on our blog as well!
Biagio Messina
Joke Productions, Inc.
http://www.jokeandbiagio.com
@jokeandbiagio