How to Pitch a TV Show Idea — TV Writing & Development: Ep6

A complete guide to how to pitch a TV show idea in 2018. This video will show you EXACTLY how to appeal to executives, work a room, and get your script sold.

This includes insight from industry insiders who worked on shows like Rick and Morty, Arrested Development, and had their scripts bought off the top of the BlackList.

They’ll let you in on their experience with how to pitch a TV show idea, including some best practices for working a room, looking like a pro, and impressing studio executives.

We’ll also go through the meat and bones of the pitch. A step-by-step guide to exactly how to structure your pitch, what to say and when, and how long it should take.

This video is another installment in our How to Sell a TV Show series and definitely one you don’t want to miss. Great script or not, if you can’t sell yourself and work a great pitch, the odds are stacked up against you.

So make sure you don’t walk into your next meeting without taking notes from this video on how to pitch a TV show idea.

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[movietrivia]

Way he described breaking bad was riveting.

[Williamtipq]

I felt personally attacked when he said “it’s been a month since anyone’s looked me in the eye it’s a writers thing”

[RandomActsofAnimation]

"It's been months since anyone has looked at me in the eyes, it's like a writer's thing."
Spoken like a true writer and it's hilariously accurate.

[guardianoftruth]

Honestly the Breaking Bad pitch gave me goosebumps. That's how I want to deliver! Thank you for this video and the series of How to Make a TV Show! ❤

[TheKeithvidz]

i have attempted a cartoon series pitch in the long past. My priority are feature film materiel AGAIN to agents and managers, on top contests - this video works for that too.

[teatrodelmal]

I just started writing an idea I had since years ago. I think now is the right time for it to grow and I found your masterclass really helpful to guide me in the right direction... thanks a lot.

[KeithDelk]

Perfect timing of this video's release! Our company is planning on accepting applications from media groups and want them to pitch their treatments. This is very insightful, thank you!

[nicolemohr]

I'm a high school drama and going to use this with my students this week. Thanks! It's well done.

[wolfspirit]

Some ideas I can think of:

1. Cyberpunk setting involving a scientist going on the run from those who seek to use his technology for evil, technology that allows one absolute control over metal, even allowing them to transform their body into it and manifest from their body any sort of metallic weapon.

2. Fantasy urban setting involving families specializing in different forms of elemental magic engaging in combat with each other over personal grudges, the desire to be the most powerful in their city, etc. that threatens to culminate in a bloody magic massacre.

3. A horror drama about boy who impulsively slaughters a group of bullies who slaughter a stray dog and her puppies, save one that managed to hide which he later asks his parents to adopt. Each season follows a different stage of his life as we see him murder many who are guilty of abuse towards animals in various ways while trying to live a normal life.

4. A drama following the development of technology that makes zoolingualism (talking to animals) a common practice and the pros and cons resulting from it's creation.

5. A feudal-era Japan drama that follows an orphaned child whose village was slaughtered by a vengeful kunoichi. He travels to the nearest lord begging for assistance and spends his entire life vowing to slaughter said kunoichi through learning the battle methods of both samurai and ninja. He receives assistance from legendary Japanese historical figures and supernatural yokai such as kitsune, tanuki, bakeneko, etc, some hostile and others friendly.

[blessedbeyondmeasure]

How do you get the interview??? This is the question. I've seen so many ideas on what to do, but I need to know how you get your foot in the door.

[BabyBearRudy]

I want to see how they actually pitched breaking bad to AMC bc before breaking bad there was no such thing as breaking bad

[likekaliscott]

Thank you! Watched this twice and pumped out a great first draft.

[TeamWnJ]

Damn, if only I saw this video before I did my panel at PAX. That roadmap breaks everything down so well, definitely implementing it. Thanks Studio Binder!

[juslmao]

I downloaded your video but I just had to come back to subscribe & like. Of all the pitching videos I have ever watched yours rocks Thanks

[thepatriciawhitechannel]

Thank you for posting this. I'm a bit stuck b/c my show is an edutainment show. I'm going to trope over your format as best I can.

[RWBKelly]

This is great guys.. I think its even helped me plot out a really good treatment. Bravo

[nathanieledwards]

I'm very thankful for this video. This video has helped me understand and improve my style of storytelling.

[lukamakhashvili]

the breaking bad pitch gives me the CHILLS every time. love that show so much <3

[udydavid]

Big thanks for that great lesson on pitching a story. This will surely be helpful in my English class. Kudos!

[Evan.Arapis]

Here's my superhero sitcom idea, it's basically a Friends rip off, bare with me please, it's just a few seconds off your precious time: Six, or whatever the number, age or gender, close friends try to balance between their personal lives and their secret, superhero identities, each one keeps his/her secret identity to him/herself and that creates havoc and funny situations that go haywire almost every single time they try to get together and relax. They all hang out at the Hero's Hutt or something like that, hope u like it.. That's my idea and I take full credit, if somebody else has already thought about it I'm not responsible for the leak..This thing could be the next huge sitcom if done right..