1.3 THE PITCH

You must develop your ideas for a new TV show and write a pitch for your concept.  You will also include other information about the show -  this is often called a show bible:

• A title
• A tagline (emotional hook less than 10 words)
• The tone (a short paragraph describing influences and the look and feel)
• A synopsis (less than 500 words) 
• Character profiles (for 3-4 main character) 
• Future episodes (2-3 episode outlines, less than 100 words each)
• A worldbuilder  (a mood board of the world of the show) 

You will pitch/discuss these ideas to classmates and the teacher.  After you have heard others' ideas you may wish developed them and improve them.  This may include teaming up to work with others in order to create your pre-production materials. 

Remember you will need to make sure your pitch addresses the following:

1) The Apartment

You must use an apartment as your central location/narrative device.   You will need to decide; Who lives there? Who owns it (eg a landlord, parents, employer, university, council, the bank)?  Where it is? What it looks like?  Who the neighbors are? Why other people want to use it? and what for? 

2) Form 

You must choose whether your idea is for a situation comedy or long-form TV series.  Think about some of the conventions of each type of TV show.  Is your concept going to be funny or serious?  Will it use episodic or serial narratives.  Will it use very few repeated locations or have scope for exploring more adventurous settings?  How big is the cast? 

3) Representations

You must decide how you are going to address issues of representations. In the film of the apartment, many of the dominant central characters are male, white, able-bodied,  heterosexual, middle/upper class and largely middle-aged.   How are your characters differ?  How will they appeal to a broader audience?  Will your characters challenge or conform to existing stereotypes?


Watch the video's below to help you understand how pitching works.