How to get into the right rooms to pitch your TV Show

You have a great idea for an original TV series... Now what?

It doesn’t matter if you have the best idea in the world for a TV show.

If you can’t get a broadcast network, cable channel, or streaming executive to listen to it, you’ll never get your pitch onto the screen.

But these companies don’t have open calls for pitch submissions.

So how do you get into these rooms if you don’t have any entertainment industry contacts?

Step 1: Write a solid sample script.

If you have a proven track record of selling hit shows, getting in rooms is easy. You simply have your agent call executives and tell them about your latest idea.

Photo by Van Tay Media on Unsplash

If you don’t have any TV credits, you’ll need to prove to executives that you can deliver what you are promising. This means that before anyone will take you seriously, you need a great sample script.

And I don’t just mean good, I mean great.

This sample can be the first episode of your TV show idea. In fact, as you’re just getting started in this industry, it’s probably better if it is.

Once you start adding managers, producers, and other pieces of the package to your team (more on that in a minute), you can strategize about whether you’ll send the script out or if you’ll want to lead with the pitch.

Because the ability to execute is what will open doors for you, I recommend a consistent and diligent pursuit of studying and leveling up your craft.

Step 2: Build your film & TV creative network.

You might not live in Los Angeles, but thanks to the power of the internet, there is no excuse for not building a network in the entertainment industry.

Start by reaching out to your friends. People you already know who worked in this industry once. Or worked next to this industry in a somewhat related field. Or lived in Los Angeles at some point. Once you run out of these contacts, attend a film festival or online community.

You don’t have to invest a lot of money in this.

What you do need to invest is time and goodwill. Making genuine connections with executives, creatives, and working support staff is the only way anyone actually gets anything done in this town.

One of the benefits of my webinars is I encourage writers to reach out to and connect with one another.

In my upcoming pitch webinar, I will carve out time for audience members to post their contact information and reach out to each other.

It’s a great opportunity to be in a Zoom room with likeminded screenwriters who take their careers just as seriously as you do.

Step 3: Create IP that proves your concept and builds an audience.

Producers love a sure thing.

A successful web comic, satirical blog, or YouTube channel doesn’t guarantee that your show will be a success. But it does prove to members of this industry that you’re creative, you have a vision, and your work can attract an audience.

Photo by Melanie Deziel on Unsplash

Don’t sit around complaining that Hollywood doesn’t open its doors to unsolicited submissions.

Create a space for your body of work online, and build it until executives solicit you.

Step 4: Find producers.

Once you have a solid sample, a vast network of friends in the industry, and a pitch that’s ready to go, you can start querying managers and producers.

Most producers don’t take unsolicited submissions, but some do. Take time to research online. Many writers will share with their friends and online communities which producers are more open. Target junior executives, coordinators, or even assistants.

Share your material with writer friends and ask if they know anyone who might be interested.

You won’t generate any heat for yourself until you start knocking.

Step 5: Find a Showrunner.

Once you have a producer, they will want to add an experienced Showrunner to the package before taking your idea to a buyer.

The “package” is the team of people who are all associated with your project, who promise to be involved with it when it’s sold, and who will get a piece of the money when a studio, network, or streamer finally buys it.

Your producer will help you find this Showrunner, but you don’t have to wait for them.

As you build out your network, try and find a Showrunner who likes you, cares about you, believes in you, and shares your sensibility.

If you can bring a project with a Showrunner already attached, you’ll have better luck finding other elements of the package (like producers, directors, or talent).

Since Hollywood is run by FOMO, packaging is hard. But once you start getting impressive elements into place, the thing snowballs from there.

Step 6: Have patience but be relentless.

I didn’t say that getting in the right rooms would be fast or easy.

There is no secret trick to this, and anyone who tells you that there is, is trying to scam you out of your money. But what you can do is show up every day to elevate your craft, revise and improve your pitch materials, and be ready.

Because when you finally do have the opportunity to pitch your show, it’s too late to start preparing.