HOW TO PITCH A TV SHOW

After focusing my career on TV production (physically directing and producing on location), I'm yearning to pivot towards development. Back in the day that's what I actually studied at the NFTS (National Film and Television School). That was many moons ago and my CV grew in P/D (producer/director) credits since then. I've done a lot of lovely, well know UK and US shows, a variety of formats, travelled extensively, but I'm getting more into the creative side of taking an idea, curating it, filming teasers and eventually selling a prepped format to a channel. With the help of an estblished production company backing me, as despite working in TV for nearly two decades, I'm kind of a beginner in terms of development.

Funny story, when I applied to the school in 2008 (with barely any expereince in media apart from a stint at the Polish Radio), I had to pitch my very own original idea. Among others, on that basis, they would consider my application. So I thought of a series called....Married at First Site. Remember that show?;-0

I knew the concept was solid, so I pitched it to the teachers / jury, and sadly...they kind of didn't feel it, meaning, they thought it would be impossible to do, hard to drive the storyline etc

I got in nevertheless.

A few times during my NFTS time I tried contacting various production companies to pitch it, but nothing stuck. I was just a person with ZERO professional TV experience and no 'gravitas' to my name (hello networking and meeting people from the industry). So nothing ever happened.

Until I saw the show on TV a few years later and it became one of the biggest and best selling formats in the world.

I know, it was just an idea, anyone could have had it. But that taught me not to give up, surround myself with the right people, get some more experience and it would/ will eventually happen.

So I'm gonna try again with some fresh, new ideas - I'll keep you posted how that goes! #likeachallenge