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Last year around this time I got my first pilot produced.
How I got so lucky:
-Pitched concept to 11 pods.
-Only 1 bit.
-Planned to take to the four broadcast networks. Fox, off logline alone, said no thanks.
-Went to NBC first because we thought they’d buy it. They didn’t.
How I got so lucky:
-Pitched concept to 11 pods.
-Only 1 bit.
-Planned to take to the four broadcast networks. Fox, off logline alone, said no thanks.
-Went to NBC first because we thought they’d buy it. They didn’t.
-Then ABC. Left room positive they would buy. They didn’t.
-Two weeks later went to CBS. I didn’t think it went well. Then... they bought in “the hallway” immediately after.
-Studio was lobbed on after the network, whether they liked it or not.
-Two weeks later went to CBS. I didn’t think it went well. Then... they bought in “the hallway” immediately after.
-Studio was lobbed on after the network, whether they liked it or not.
-It was one of 40 or so comedy projects the network bought.
-It had no showrunner or talent attached, so it was an underdog.
-I had never worked with network or the studio before either, so it was even more of an underdog.
-It had no showrunner or talent attached, so it was an underdog.
-I had never worked with network or the studio before either, so it was even more of an underdog.
-In late January, it was “picked up to pilot.” One of only eight (of the 40+). Again probably the underdog.
-We got a really good cast and director and showrunners and crew in February and shot at the end of March.
-We got a really good cast and director and showrunners and crew in February and shot at the end of March.
-At the end of April we turned it in. It was actually, almost to my surprise, really good.
-It tested... dece.
-It tested... dece.
-By very early May we were getting good vibes - internally and externally. The network travel coordinator had even requested my flying information for Upfronts (which I’ve since learned means nothing, so don’t fall for it!)
-A few days later I get called and told by the network it won’t be part of the pickups “about to be announced.” But no official word on them passing.
-Year later, never got that official passing.
-I have one DVD copy of it and you’re not supposed to share.
-Year later, never got that official passing.
-I have one DVD copy of it and you’re not supposed to share.
-Within a few weeks I had started all over on a whole new concept that I’m still working on now.
Moral of the story: quit the business and run.
Moral of the story: quit the business and run.
Other moral of the story: it takes so MANY kind and well-intended people to even get it *almost* picked up to series. The studio and network and showrunners and cast and director all took a chance on the underdog.
Other other moral of the story: I had many pilots developed but not shot before this. Without those, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to pitch this concept/get in these rooms and I certainly wouldn’t have known how to tackle pilot notes without those previous experiences.
But still... it feels like you were left at the altar.
