2. PITCHING YOUR TV SHOW IDEA
• You have the opportunity to pitch a new live-action
Television Program for Network Television and you may
pick from one of the genres listed below:
• SCIENCE-FICTION (50 minutes)
• ROMANTIC COMEDY (25 minutes)
• WORKPLACE SITCOM (25 minutes)
• HORROR/THRILLER (50 minutes)
• DRAMA (25 minutes)
• Like virtually all network television programs, this one is
designed for renewal with several possible seasons with
potentially as many as 22 episodes each. So while your job
this week is to focus on the pilot/short-term there must still
be room for the show to grow and evolve into several
seasons.
3. DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT
• Choose your genre. Genre is simply the type of show
you're making, from sitcom to murder mystery. Genre
affects your mood, tone, and writing style, and the
audience's expectations for certain things. I’ve given you
wide range of GENRES to choose from for your TV Show
Idea:
– SCIENCE-FICTION (50 minutes)
– ROMANTIC COMEDY (25 minutes)
– WORKPLACE SITCOM (25 minutes)
– HORROR/THRILLER (50 minutes)
– DRAMA (25 minutes)
• Having a genre doesn't mean you are locked into one type
of story. It simply makes it easier to market and sell your
idea. So pick a genre and use it to let yourself be as
4. DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT
• Now that you know your genre, come up with
your "what if?" premise. This is the premise of
every single TV show and idea to run through
Hollywood. It can be as simple as "what if a
documentary crew filmed a small paper
(The Office) to complex ideas like "what if a
chemistry teacher started cooking meth?"
(Breaking Bad). This is the basis of your show --
what sets it apart, and what will make it sell. You
don't need, or want, to weigh this down with a lot
of subplots or other ideas yet. Just get the essence
of your show on paper. Seinfeld, after all, was
famously pitched as “what if we did a show about
nothing?”
5. DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT
• Develop some characters. The essence of all good TV is
character. Characters are why people tune in week after week
and what drives the plot of each episode. Try and come up
between 2-5 main characters, as any more becomes difficult to
manage, with 7 main characters being the upper limit. Your
characters should be “Round” – that means the characters
multiple facets, not just an "angry woman," or "strong hero."
Round characters have strengths and weaknesses, and the
chance to grow.
• Filled with desires and fears. Their ability or inability to get over
their fear (of being poor, of being alone, of space aliens, of
spiders, etc.) is what drives their conflicts each episode and
shows you the goals in the series.
• Have agency. A good character makes choices which push
forward the plot. They make mistakes, try and fix things, go to
parties, etc. because it is something the characters would do,
not something the writer needs them to do.
6. DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT
• Characters should be filled with desires and
fears. Their ability or inability to get over
their fear (of being poor, of being alone, of
space aliens, of spiders, etc.) is what drives
their conflicts each episode and shows you
the goals in the series.
• Characters should have “agency” – which
means the illusion of self-direction. A good
character makes choices which push forward
the plot. They make mistakes, try and fix
things, go to parties, etc. because it is
something the character would do, not
7. DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT
• Come up with your title. The catchier the
better. Most TV shows are based on some
sort of play on words, and having a good
turn of phrase can ensure that your show is
immediately recognized. Mad Men, for
example, is about Ad Agencies and the
that work there, most whose lives are
spiraling out of control. Community is
a community college, but also a group of
close-knit friends. The importance of a
title can not be underestimated.
8. DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT
• Write a catchy logline. The logline is a
one or two sentence description of
show designed to sell producers on the
idea. It typically tells the main agenda
the show and/or main character. If your
concept can’t easily translate to a
logline it might not be very
It should tell people what they're
watching and what clever hook or
premise there is in the show.
9. DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT
• Research current televised
programming to learn about current
trends or opportunities. Use "the
trades," such as Deadline.com or
to keep up to date about current
Hollywood TV trends – the more you
know about what’s currently hot and
selling, the better chance you have to
please and audience and network
executives. Also pay close attention to
what you and your friends like.
10. WEEK #2 DISCUSSION
BOARD ASSIGNMENT
• Now go to WEEK #2 and check out
the PITCHING YOUR TV SHOW
IDEA POST INSTRUCTIONS – please
post your work in time for us all to
check it out and have a judgment-
free discussion – now’s your chance
to be creative so go for it!
