For my sci-fi drama that is.
It looks good (to me) on paper and makes more sense but I've also got great ideas for the other episodes and heard somewhere that submitting a pilot without a established reputation is a bad idea.
What are your thoughts?
Should I submit a pilot
Quote: sean knight @ March 23 2011, 7:41 PM GMTheard somewhere that submitting a pilot without a established reputation is a bad idea.
Why?
I think it was because you spend too long setting up the characters and the premise however my premise is revealed within the first ten pages and the characters backstories and development would happen later. There's still plenty of conflict and action without getting bogged down in cliche.
So obviously I'll be pretty miffed when it thuds it's way back through the front door with the word 'shit' scribbled across it.
I think that was Ant and Dec... no, sorry, I meant Simon and Declan saying that industry bods didn't want to see "sitcom" pilots.
With a continuing drama, they'll want to see the first episode, plus an outline of the rest of the series.
Of course, what you should really be thinking of doing is writing a calling card script; one that shows off all your screenwriting skills.
After all, it is rare for a newbie to get a series made, but in the meantime you may get to write for other shows on the basis of a brilliant calling card script.
I know Simon and Declan said they wouldn't be showcasing pilot episodes but I'd read the thing about only established writers getting away with submitting pilots somewhere else.
But of course that was some random article on the interweb so not exactly canon.
I'm not sure what I would write as a calling card script, there's that much stuff going on in my head. Thanks for the advice though.
Of course, what you should really be thinking of doing is writing a calling card script; one that shows off all your screenwriting skills.
Mikey what do you mean calling card script?
Basically a very good script, that shows off your writing to its best. It might not be something that stands a chance of being made, but it gets people, agents, producers, interested in talking to you.
I have a sitcom script that does that job at them moment; it's not getting made anywhere, but my agent sends it around to get people interested in working with me.
Send it.
If it's any good they'll bite your arm off.
If you can write and you've got a good idea, you'll get a phone call.
I've got an idea for a sitcom, I didn't think there'd be much point sending it out until I'd established myself though. I mean mine is pretty dark and stuff, which probably limits the breadth of its appeal a bit.
Once I finish typing it up (the pilot, and outline of the other episodes if need be), any suggestions about where to send it? I mean, I'd want the lead role as well! I suppose that could put peoople off slightly, but I'd like to think I'd do alright in a screen test for the part...
I'd just concentrate on trying to get it as tight and well formatted as possible and so that you're happy with pretty much every aspect of it.
I keep going over and over mine checking and checking it and am having to insert a bit more to bring it up to the correct running time while making sure there's nothing in there that's going to piss off a pedantic reader (unforgivable spelling and grammatical errors, typos, really ropey dialogue) that'll see it thrown in the bin.
BBC writers room accept unsolicited scripts and I've found one agency that accepts unsolicited material as well. Expect a long wait going down these routes though as they no doubt get scripts from every dog and his man.
http://www.marjacq.com/home/home.htm
I'll be sending to writers room and these guys.
Good luck!
Send in your best work. Nobody cares if it is a pilot. All they care about is that it is well written, engages them from the off.
Quote: Vader @ April 6 2011, 4:16 AM BSTI mean, I'd want the lead role as well!
Are you an established actor/comedy performer? If the answer is 'no', it seems somewhat unlikely that any producer will even entertain the idea of casting you.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 6 2011, 9:06 AM BSTAre you an established actor/comedy performer? If the answer is 'no', it seems somewhat unlikely that any producer will even entertain the idea of casting you.
No you don't! Haven't you seen extras? You just need a contact at the BBC. Then your script will be picked up straight away, made into a TV show within weeks and you will be cast in the lead role. Simples!
Quote: sean knight @ April 6 2011, 9:59 AM BSTNo you don't! Haven't you seen extras? You just need a contact at the BBC. Then your script will be picked up straight away, made into a TV show within weeks and you will be cast in the lead role. Simples!
Yeah - he really lucked out that Gervais.
See if you can get a stewardess to submit a pilot for you.