Super-writer Chris Levinson on Pitching to Networks (and what it’s actually like in the room…)

In an age when many decisions in Network Television are made out of fear (i.e. the now infamous Conan O’Brien vs. Jay Leno debacle), it’s easy for both current and would-be TV writers/producers to jump on the bandwagon of cynicism. Despite what may seem like a constant brain-drain towards less and less cerebral or character-driven programming, there’s still a market for your unbridled creativity. For the March issue of the Starbird, Nat Mundel interviews Chris Levinson, an accomplished writer and producer for shows like Party of Five, Dawson’s Creek, and Law & Order. In this interview, Nat and Chris break down the broad points and steps to be taken when pitching a show idea to a room full of (up to 12!) scary network Execs. From what Chris tells us, passion is definitely a contagion that network Execs are more than happy to get infected with. 1) Explain why you’re passionate about the project. Why did you create this show? 2) Pitch your logline. 3) Take your audience through a character breakdown. 4) Walk everyone through an episode breakdown. Treat it like a performance! 5) Bookend the pitch with your passion! Infect the Execs with it! Archives April 2023 (1) January 2023 (1) December 2022 (1) October 2022 (1) June 2020 (1) April 2020 (1) February 2020 (1) January 2020 (1) October 2019 (1) August 2019 (1) June 2019 (1) January 2019 (1) April 2018 (1) March 2018 (1) February 2018 (1) January 2018 (1) December 2017 (1) November 2017 (1) October 2017 (2) July 2017 (4) April 2017 (1) February 2017 (1) January 2017 (1) December 2016 (1) November 2016 (1) October 2016 (1) September 2016 (2) June 2016 (1) May 2016 (1) April 2016 (1) February 2016 (3) January 2016 (1) December 2015 (2) November 2015 (1) October 2015 (2) September 2015 (2)...

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