Competition in the television industry is fierce, given the high turnover rate of the programmes. Knowing how to write original ideas or scripts will give you a huge head start, allowing you to get your ideas out there and get paid for them.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Developing the concept
Step 1. Come up with a 'what if?
'-premise. This is the premise of every TV show and idea in Hollywood or Hilversum. It could be as simple as 'what if a crew of documentary makers films a small paper company?' (The Office) or something more complicated like 'what if a chemistry teacher starts making crystal meth?' (Breaking Bad). This is the foundation of your show - what makes it unique and what makes it sell.
You don't need to complicate this with a bunch of subplots or other ideas. Just put the core of your show on paper. After all, Seinfeld's famous pitch was 'what if we make a program about nothing?'
Step 2. Research the current television industry to learn about trends or opportunities
Use industry magazines like the ubiquitous and essential Deadline.com or Variety to keep up with current Hollywood TV trends. Or in the Netherlands: Veronica Magazine. For example, Deadline released a story in August 2015 that TV networks were specifically looking for 1-hour comedy shows to try. This can be a good hint of what is selling well at the moment.
Write down the names of studios associated with projects similar to yours. These are the companies that are likely to buy your work later
Step 3. Determine your genre
The genre is the type of TV show you make, from sitcom to murder mystery. There are many nuances within genres, but if in doubt, you can look up the genres of your favorite shows online as a guide. For example, Arrested Development is a "single-camera sitcom," which means there is no studio audience like in the classic sitcoms, such as Cheers, which is a "multi-cam sitcom." This (seemingly subtle) difference affects how you should pitch your program, as some networks only seek specific programs.
- The genre determines the mood, tone, writing style and expectations of the audience.
- Having a genre doesn't mean you're stuck with a certain type of story. It just makes it easier to market and sell your idea.
Step 4. Develop some characters
The essence of all good TV shows is the character. Characters are why people turn on week after week and what motivates the plot of each episode. Try to think of between 2-5 main characters, because any more than that will be hard to manage. Seven main characters ('Community', and most dramas) are the limit. Your characters should be developed as follows:
- Round characters. The characters should have different facets and not just be 'angry woman' or 'strong hero'. Round, rich characters have strengths and weaknesses, and are given the opportunity to grow.
- They must be filled with desires and fears. Their ability or inability to get over their fear (of being poor or lonely, their fear of aliens or spiders etc.) is what drives their conflicts every episode and shows you the goals in the series.
- They are autonomous. A good character makes choices that further develop the plot. They make mistakes, try to fix things, go to parties, etc., because that's something their character would do, not because the writer "wants" them to do it.
Step 5. Understand what makes a good idea sell
Television producers are people who approve of new ideas and they see an awful lot of them every week. The best ideas, or at least the ones that come through, have a few characteristics:
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Originality:
Has this been made before? Does it look like something else, and if so; is it different enough to stand on its own?
- Estimated costs: Few studios risk millions to an unproven writer or filmmaker. It's hard to sell big concepts like The Walking Dead if you're just getting started in the TV industry because they have a high financial risk.
- A screenplay/Proof of Concept: this means writing a 'treatment'/synopsis, script or filming some sketches. You can get your foot in the door with your idea, but you'll need to do some work to prove that your program is going to make it.
Method 2 of 3: Writing a treatment/synopsis
Step 1. Come up with a title
The more catchy, the better. Most TV shows are based on a play on words, and having good wording can get your show instantly recognized. Mad Men, for example, is about advertising agencies and the men who work there, whose lives are spiraling out of control. Community is about a public school, but it is also a close-knit group at the same time. The importance of a good title should not be underestimated.
Step 2. Write a catchy logline
With the logline you describe in one or two sentences what your program is about, with which you try to sell it to the producers. It usually describes the central purpose of the program and/or main character. If it's not easy to write a logline about your show, it may not be easy to market, but it's rare. It should tell people what they are looking at and what kind of clever hook or premise is in the program. Some examples:
- Back to the Future: A high school student is accidentally sent back to the past, where his presence leads to his parents never meeting - or making him!
- Jaws: A cop fights a deadly shark despite his fear of the sea. In the meantime, the miserly city council denies that there is a problem at the beach, which only makes things more difficult.
- Ratatouille: A French rat teams up with a terrible cook to prove that anyone can cook, even as jealous critics and the pest control team do everything they can to prove it's a hoax.
Step 3. Write a 300-500 word synopsis
This is a short but comprehensive overview of the program. There are a lot of potential elements you can put into the synopsis, but the shorter the better. Try to create an attractive, short description of your program that would make someone want to watch the program if it were on. Some things to mention are:
- The decor.
- The general plot of the series.
- The essence of most episodes (what generally happens in each episode?)
Step 4. Create a short but detailed character overview
In a separate document, describe each character in 1-2 sentences. Keep it short and specific. What drives these characters and what makes them special? Unless it's important to the plot, you don't need to include outward details or casting selection.
Step 5. List 3-4 episodes
These are one or two succinct paragraphs from various episodes. Show how the program develops, what each episode looks like and give an idea of the budget and the characters in action. If you're writing a drama, use 4-500 words. And with a program that lasts 30 minutes, you use 2-300 words.
If you want to pitch a documentary-style reality show, it helps to show the producers the potential of the project with a short video on the subject or the people involved. You can also outline the plot of their lives
Step 6. Compose your treatment
The final document should contain 3-10 pages, with all parts in order. Include a title page with the potential program logo, your name and your contact information. You must provide the following information in this order:
- Title
- Logline
- Synopsis
- characters
- Episode storyline.
- If you're making a reality show, make sure you create an executable format. In the case of reality competition programs, make sure that every aspect of the gameplay is described. It's important to write concisely but firmly what people are specifically looking at.
Step 7. Consider writing a script
At the end of the day, the treatment is not on TV. If you have a script, they'll have the first episode in their pocket right away, if they like the idea. That said, a lot of ideas are sold solo, then later commissioned for a script. However, this is more common if you are already based in Hollywood or Hilversum.
- Read scripts from similar programs to get an idea for writing the play and plot.
- If you're writing a TV show, such as a drama, learn how to write a script. You can also take a script writing course at a local public university.
- With specialized software to write scripts, the process is faster. Movie Magic Screen Writer, Celtx, Writer Duets, and Final Draft are popular options.
Step 8. Protect the copyright of your work and register with an interest group such as the Writers Guild of America or the Network Screenwriters VvL
This way you protect your intellectual property and it gives you proof that you created it at that time. You can also register your project in America online at The Creator's Vault to request copyright protection, although this is often overkill.
- Registering with the WGA costs just $20 ($10 if you're already a WGA member) and is standard in the movie industry. In the Netherlands it is not necessarily necessary to register. As an author you are protected by the Copyright Act, which arises automatically.
- The registered work is kept for five years, after which you can renew. The conditions differ per service and website.
Method 3 of 3: Pitching your TV show
Step 1. Upload your work to a public online database
These sites cost money, but in return, television producers can watch your scripts. Usually you pay to get a rating, because scripts with a good rating will be at the top of the list. However, many of these sites are unreliable, so be sure to look for online reviews, testimonials, and success stories. Search for "success stories" on the IMDB site to check their reliability.
- The most reputable site for scripts is The Blacklist, which has been re-rated several times and has spawned several high-profile success stories.
- By accepting unsolicited submissions without an intermediary, companies run the risk of being accused of plagiarism. The internet has a unique advantage in today's television industry as it provides businesses with digital proof.
Step 2. Make a list of suitable companies that might like your idea and approach them online
Go online and find phone numbers, email addresses, and submission ideas for companies that make programs like yours. Contact them and ask if it is possible to make an appointment and discuss your ideas. You shouldn't seem needy, but make an effort to sell your script.
- Never send a bad quality movie about monsters to NBC or the public broadcaster, but instead to SyFy or SBS6. Also, do not send historical drama to the production company of Greg Danial (The Office) or Reinout Oerlemans. Think about what the studio is already producing to pitch to the right people.
- Look into fellowship programs at studios. These are 6-8 week programs where you can perfect your ideas in the studio. However, the competition is incredibly fierce.
Step 3. Network with everyone you meet
Meeting people is still the best way to sell ideas or programs. Have coffee with your friends, join an improv group and take a job on a movie set. Even if someone can't implement your idea, they may know someone else who can help.
- Whenever possible, work on a movie set or TV set as a production assistant or intern - whatever it takes to get your foot in the door.
- While not strictly necessary, it's easiest to sell your idea when you're in Hollywood itself. If you're serious about it, it's time to move to Los Angeles. However, many TV programs are also produced in New York. This also applies to Hilversum and Amsterdam respectively.
Step 4. Know that you need an effective pitch to sell your idea once you're in
You have to blow the producers off as soon as they give you a chance to talk. Giving a pitch is an art, but it's more of a sales pitch than a script. Your goal is simply to get people excited about the program and to give the producers a picture of the show so they can envision the final product. To do that, you need to talk about:
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The 'Hook':
Return to the "what if" of your show. Why is it original, captivating and worth watching?
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Public:
Who is this show aimed at? How does it fit with the network's current audience?
- The trailer:' If you were to sell this show in a commercial, what parts would you highlight? What are the clips that show the show well?
Step 5. Remember that you are now a salesperson, not a writer
Why does your show fit their audience? In what way does it add to their other shows? Why do they need your show? Don't just talk about how great you are or your show is, but explain why it's a good decision for them to buy it.
You need to know what kind of shows the network produces and who their audience is in order to grab attention
Step 6. Give a concise and energetic pitch
Your pitch should be no more than 12-15 minutes, and the shorter the better. Give the producers a sense of the show, get them in on the premise, and let them know why it's a good match for their network. Then thank them and answer any questions.
- You should practice your pitch several times beforehand. It should be as well prepared as your script and your treatment.
- It can help to have several other ideas on hand, even if they don't have a treatment yet. They may like you and your idea, but may not yet have room in the schedule for that particular show.
Tips
- The more ideas and treatments you have, the better. Keep working on different ideas in similar genres so you have a whole portfolio to pitch.
- Do your research and come up with an original idea. People are not going to accept ideas that have been used before in movies, books or other shows.