How to pitch a TV show

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How to pitch a TV show

By The Guardian Masterclasses

Date and time

Sunday, January 18, 2015 · 10am - 4pm GMT

Location

The Guardian

Kings Place 90 York Way London N1 9GU United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Description

Learn how to draft a perfect pitch, interpret a tender brief and present your ideas to TV commissioners

So you've thought of a great concept and outlined a great script. But your show isn't going to make it onto the small screen unless you can deliver a powerful pitch. This one-day course, created and led by programme-making consultants Grand Scheme Media, provides insider knowledge and practical experience of every element of TV's complex pitching process.

You'll learn not just what commissioners expect from a good a pitch, but also the presentation they find most persuasive. You'll also get an up-to-the-minute breakdown of what channels are looking for what content, which will help you to target your pitch. As well as workshopping your own ideas, the course also give you a hands-on lesson in programme development, giving you the chance to interpret a real programme tender brief.

The day ends with a valuable opportunity to pitch your ideas to the course leaders, Graham Smith and Mark Robson, both experienced commissioners who will provide you with detailed, tailored feedback on your pitch. You'll end the day with a polished pitch document, notes on where to go next, and the confidence to send your pitch out into the world.

This course is for you if...

  • You already work in television but want to focus your development and pitching skills, with a view to becoming more active in creating new programme formats
  • You have a strong idea for a show and want to learn how to give your pitch a professional sheen

Course description

This one-day course mixes formal tuition with discussions and critiques of pitches, to help attendees produce a professional-standard pitch document and present it to commissioners. Attendees will get involved in a range of practical exercises, including pitching their ideas to the course leaders. Topics covered include:

  • What is a pitch?
  • What commissioners expect from you
  • Good pitch/bad pitch: critical analysis of successful – and failed – programme pitches
  • Know the market: who wants what, and how to match your idea with the right channel
  • Follow the brief: an exercise in fulfilling an actual recent programming tender brief
  • Find out how your ideas fit with the current TV landscape
  • Pitch perfect: put what you've learned into practice by prepping your original ideas and pitching to the tutors
  • Tailored feedback on your pitch

Tutor profiles

Graham Smith is co-founder of Grand Scheme Media, a company specialising in training for television professionals and preparing projects for commission. Prior to founding the company, Graham ran his own indie, TV21, before heading up comedy commissioning for Channel 4 and C5/Paramount. He also worked as an executive producer for the BBC.

Mark Robson is co-founder of Grand Scheme Media. Previously, Mark spent ten years with ITV, commissioning and producing comedy and entertainment, before freelancing as a series and executive producer.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Organized by

Welcome to Guardian Masterclasses – a unique programme of learning embedded within one of the world's most forward-thinking media organisations.

We offer a broad range of short and long courses across a variety of disciplines from creative writing, journalism, photography and design, film and digital media, music and cultural appreciation.

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award winning guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The programme is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

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