Stage 32 TV Development Lab: How to Develop and Pitch Your Television Project

Sorry, this lab is filled. Keep checking back Stage 32 Education for upcoming labs.

Despite the quickly shifting landscape, and the uncertainty much of the entertainment industry is currently facing, there is still no better time to break into television than right now. Shows are continuing to get greenlit and writers are continuing to get staffed. Thanks to streamers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Peacock, Disney+, HBO Max and others, over 600 shows were greenlit last year and some industry experts are predicting we may see as many as 1,000 television shows greenlit per year by 2025. We’re in the midst of a content gold rush and more people than ever are looking for and buying great ideas and great scripts for their networks and platforms. If you have a great idea for a television show, there is absolutely a path forward, especially if you know how to navigate this new landscape.

The opportunities are plentiful and the prospects have never been more exciting, but to get your television project greenlit, there are a few things you need to have down pat. Obviously you need a great idea—not just an idea that’s interesting and unique, but one that can sell. You also need a standout script around that idea, one that reads great and will make network and streamer executives stop, take notice, and want to read more. Yet an idea and a script aren’t enough to get that TV show made. You’ll also need to be able to deliver a convincing and memorable pitch, complete with an outstanding pitch deck and documents, and you need to be able to package your project to be more sellable to your dream network. These elements don’t necessarily go hand in hand, and different skills are necessary to accomplish each, but all are fully attainable and within your grasp, especially the right knowledge and guidance to help get you there.

Raquelle David is a Producer and Literary Manager who has sold shows to Netflix, Amazon, Film Nation, eOne, and many others. Her clients have credits including SICARIO, MAD MEN, OUTLANDER, DOWNTON ABBEY, HELL OR HIGH WATER, THE LIBRARIANS, SHAMELESS, and IRON MAN. Raquelle has worked across independent film and television as a producer as well. Her multiple film credits have garnered a number of accolades including nominations for Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Australian Academy Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Award and the Screen Producers Australia Award. Raquelle previously worked for Goalpost Pictures, Seven Network, Screen New South Wales in Australia and Rhombus Media in Toronto, Canada, under the tutelage of producer Niv Fichman (THE RED VIOLIN, ENEMY, BLINDNESS). Through her career, Raquelle has helped countless writers pitch their projects or get staffed on shows, and knows better than most what it takes to get a project off the ground and greenlit.

In this advanced level and exclusive six-session lab (no more than ten students will be admitted), Raquelle will work directly with you in a class setting and also during one-on-one sessions to help you get your television project off the ground and set up for success. To do so, Raquelle will guide you through selecting a concept—either an original idea or based on existing IP—and getting your TV pilot script ready. She will then help you get your pitch and pitch document ready, and will teach you how best to package your project, including finding a good producer and working with showrunners. Finally, Raquelle will go over how best to protect your IP and ownership and how to work with reps and understand the roles and revenue splits when pitching TV. If you already have a concept or even a completed pilot, Raquelle will use the same tools to help you hone and sharpen your material. Plan to leave this lab with your TV project fleshed out and improved, an effective pitch and pitch document, a plan to properly package the show, and a slew of strategies and tools to hit the ground running and finding success.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• This lab is designed for intermediate writers and producers looking to get their individual television project ready to pitch and sell to networks. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• ***Only 10 Spots Available. No exceptions*** 
• You will be given exclusive and confidential handouts that will accompany the lessons and that you will be able to hold onto after the lab ends.
• This lab will consist of six sessions occurring twice weekly for three weeks, each roughly 90 minutes in duration. In addition to the lessons where Raquelle teaches the class, you will have the opportunity to ask her questions during each session as well as multiple chances to speak with her directly about your specific project.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the TV project development process.
• To see the full TV project development lab schedule, see below under "What You Will Learn".

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab is limited to 10 writers and will be booked on a first come, first served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with a manager and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

• Payment plans are available - please contact Amanda at edu@stage32.com for more information

Plus! Raquelle will also provide you exclusive, confidential and helpful documents for you to download and use for your own projects including:

• Option Agreement
• Shopping Agreement
• TV Pitch Deck Examples
• TV Pitch Template
• TV Pilot Examples
• Current Network needs (current list of buyers and what they’re looking for)
• Current POD deals for TV
• Comprehensive Showrunner list

SESSION 1 - What Do You Want to Write or Produce and Why? Finding your Unique Voice in Television

• Raquelle will open it up to discuss with each person in class to go over what you would like to pursue as a TV project. She will go over pros and cons for the idea and give valuable input as to how you should pursue your show as you go to market with it.

SESSION 2 - Finding, Securing and Working with Intellectual Property

• Selecting good IP
• Optioning the rights to IP
• Finding YOUR story - identifying your own unique voice in the TV landscape and cultivating a show that its truly and wholly yours
• Q&A with Raquelle
• Handouts: Standard option agreement and shopping agreement

SESSION 3 - TV Pitch Development – Getting Your Pitch Document and Pitch Ready PART ONE

• Do’s and Don’ts for your pitch document
• Do’s and Don’ts for your verbal pitch – zoom or in-room
• Pitch practice and feedback in class
• Q&A with Raquelle
• Handout: TV Pitch deck examples, pitching template

SESSION 4 - TV Pitch Development – Getting Your Pitch Document and Pitch Ready PART TWO

• Do's and Don'ts for pitching the pilot
• Character
• Story structure
• Theme
• Tone
• Genre
• Q&A with Raquelle
• Handout: Sample TV pilots

SESSION 5 - Packaging Your TV Project and How to approach Studios and Buyers

• Packaging your project for the TV Market
• Finding a good producer (including how to approach one)
• Working with Showrunners, do's and dont's
• Q&A with Raquelle
• Handouts: Network needs (current list of buyers and what they’re looking for), Current POD deals for TV, Comprehensive Showrunner list

SESSION 6 - You've Sold Your Show, What's Next?

• Protecting your IP and ownership over your show
• Working with reps and understanding the roles and revenue splits when pitching TV - agents, managers, attorneys
• Q&A with Raquelle

SESSION 1 -What Do You Want to Write and Why? Finding your Unique Voice in Television - 8/29/20 -10am-11:30am PT

SESSION 2 -Finding, Securing and Working with Intellectual Property - 9/1/20 - 5pm-6:30pm PT

SESSION 3 -TV Pitch Development – Getting Your Pitch Document and Pitch Ready PART ONE - 9/5/20 - 10am-11:30am PT

SESSION 4 -TV Pitch Development – Getting Your Pitch Document and Pitch Ready PART TWO - 9/8/20 - 5pm-6:30pm PT

SESSION 5 -Packaging Your TV Project and How to approach Studios and Buyers - 9/12/20 - 10am-11:30am PT

SESSION 6 -You've Sold Your Show, What's Next? - 9/15/20 - 5pm-6:30pm PT

Q: What is the format of a lab?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Classes are typically 90-minute broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32.

Q: Do I have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer! If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live class. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer

Q: What if I cannot attend the live lab class?
A: If you attend a live online class, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class. If you cannot attend a live class, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A. Plus, your instructor will be available via email throughout the lab.

Q: Will I have access to the lab afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of the lab, you will have on-demand access to the video recording, which you can view as many times as you'd like!