I have an idea for a TV show, how do i sell it?

[AlCzervik]

OK, it's a satire reality show, no actual reality involved except for the story line, i have a title, tag line and cast of characters but no script. Any ideas?

[Lavender Brown]

1. Pitch it to an agent

It's good to have at least the pilot script.

[AlCzervik]

3. ok, if i do that how do i get an agent?

[Lavender Brown]

5. There are agents who work exclusively with writers for TV

There are directories of them on the net and in the library. Some literary agents may agree to look at the script too. It is really hard to get them to agree to meet you, or even to read your proposal sometimes, so you have to persistent and tough-skinned.

[AlCzervik]

9. i'll give a shot, i don't how the script will come out

but i really want to try. I called my sister this morning and told her about this new show coming on and descibed it to her, she was howling with laughter and then was bummed when i told her it wasn't a real show, just an idea so far.

[Ian David]

7. Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/076153735X/qid=1106843501/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-9506782-2516603?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[bobbobbins]

2. i would suggest actually writing the script

[Ian David]

8. Do you think he should write the whole script or just a treatment?

My guess is, first time out of the gate, he should do a complete script, yes? Show he can deliver the goods?

[bobbobbins]

11. yes, a whole script

unless you're an established talent, you can't get away with just doing a treatment

[Ian David]

4. Writing for Television

Television markets
http://www.writersmarket.com/wmns/encyclopedia/T.asp

Freelance writers find markets for their work in the TV series, the made-for-TV movie, the documentary, the soap opera, etc. A limited number of freelance jobs are also available for TV advertising copywriters.

Selling material to TV is difficult for the writer who lives outside the two centers of the industry, New York and Los Angeles. Another complicating factor is that a writer usually needs an agent to be able to sell his work to a TV market. A list of TV agents to whom writers may submit teleplay scripts appears in Writer's Market and the Guide to Literary Agents.

Once he has made a sale, the writer can join the Writers Guild of America, which negotiates contract terms with producers.

See:
http://www.writersmarket.com/wmns/encyclopedia/S.asp#1019

Also:
Television Writing
http://www.dvshop.ca/dvcafe/writing/tvwriter.html

Beginners Guide to Writing for Television by Chad Gervich
http://www.pilotproject.tv/beginners_guide.html

[AlCzervik]

6. Thank you!

[KurtNYC]

10. A couple of ways

If the idea is perfect for a specific TV stars you can try pitching directly to them via their agent. If they get attached you are 60% of the way there.

Pitch to producers. Some people have production deals where they have to produce a given number of pilots or made-fors or whatever. Anson Williams (years ago) had such a deal and never produced anything (perhaps because it is hard to get inspired when huge checks for Happy Days keep showing up in your mailbox). But such a person would be a good target for a truly creative project.

You can get a list of most of the producers in television with their addresses and phone numbers by picking up a copy of Variety which runs the list weekly (at least they used to). Hurry though this is prime season for pitching pilots. May is the end of the season.

[AlCzervik]

12. ok, thanks. I do have someone in mind for the 2 main characters

when the idea popped into my head so did he.

[Ian David]

13. How about a new version of The Odd Couple...

Starring John Stewart and Rush Limbaugh