Question 1

How do you pitch a TV show?

Ari Eisner · Accepted Answer

While there’s no absolute hard and fast formula for pitching a TV series, there are a few essentials that always should be included, regardless of the pitch’s execution.
Your pitch document needs to explain all there is to know about the series you’re pitching. In clear and succinct terms, it breaks down its key elements and driving narrative engine.
This should include…

An overview of the world
Character descriptions
Target audience
Tone of the series
Summary of the pilot

Question 2

Is it hard to pitch a TV show?

Ari Eisner · Accepted Answer

Well, hard is a relative term, isn’t it? Pitching a TV show is a tremendous endeavor, and like anything else worthwhile, it takes hard work, dedication, and resilience.
You’ll need to be fully committed to your show and the ideas behind it if you’re really serious about compiling an effective pitch. Be willing and open to implement notes and even take rejection.
The creative process can be a push-pull/start-stop endeavor and creating a TV series is a matter of maintaining focus and adhering to your creative intent.

Question 3

What makes a compelling TV show pitch?

Ari Eisner · Accepted Answer

Strong pitches require a number of ingredients in order to be successful. They need to be clear and succinct while also including the series’ fundamental details about tone and genre. You’ll want to showcase a unique concept populated with compelling characters in an interesting world. Sometimes putting a new twist on familiar ideals can be very helpful in making a pitch stand out.
When developing your pitch and coming to an understanding of exactly how the process works, it’s a good idea to study as many sources as you can. A treasure trove of pitches and series bibles can be found here.
And further, if you want to listen to how an experienced writer has gone through the pitch process, check out some words of wisdom from screenwriter Jim Agnew by watching this video.

Question 4

How do you handle nerves during a pitch meeting?

Ari Eisner · Accepted Answer

Everyone gets nervous. Anyone who tells you they don’t just isn’t being honest. There are many different ways to deal with nerves, and the effectiveness of each method varies from person to person, but cutting through nervousness can be helped through focus, preparation and practice.
Really knowing your pitch, inside and out will instill a confidence in both you and the work that will come across to your audience. People have also found that positive visualization and deep breathing can be helpful when trying to overcome nervousness.

Question 5

How do you navigate rejection when it comes to pitching?

Ari Eisner · Accepted Answer

Let’s be brutally honest here. Rejection is literally inherent to the TV industry. It’s very much a part of the process, as one might say. The best way to manage rejection is to use every experience as a learning opportunity.
Listen to the feedback; can you find out why your pitch was rejected? If there’s a lesson or a takeaway from the experience, that can fuel your next project, find out what it is and explore it.
The process of creating and selling is a never-ending one, and the best strategy is to approach each new experience armed with knowledge you learned the last time around.

Question 6

Does networking play a role in the TV show pitching process?

Ari Eisner · Accepted Answer

Simply put, yes. And we can’t stress that yes enough. Networking plays as large a role in TV pitching as it does in maintaining employment in any other facet of the industry. People like to work with the people they like. So the more you get out there and connect with agents, managers, executives, writers and other industry types, the greater your chances of procuring work and/or a sale for yourself.

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