4-PART IN-DEPTH CLASS (OVER 8 HOURS OF EDUCATION)

Learn from John Lehr, a top showrunner who's worked with Hulu, Sony, TBS, Norman Lear, the creators of FRIENDS, and more!

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

When you have an idea for a TV show, the goal is always to have it "ordered to series" so you can see it on air and have a large audience experience it. However, in order to actually get your show onto air and see it on TV, you need to be prepared and know everything that goes into not only developing and selling a series but how to navigate it all the way to an actual series order.

Whether you’re a brand new writer, an experienced producer, or someone working their way up the ladder, the big question is always: How do I develop my show and make it stand out so that it can sell and get a series order?

In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand class, television series creator and showrunner John Lehr will teach you the entire journey from crafting a stand-out idea to selling your show to developing it with a streamer or network and, ultimately, getting the green light for a first season production order. 

Over four intensive sessions, John will take you through the steps of developing and producing a marketable show. You'll start by nurturing your concept into a well rounded show idea and then learning the best way to package it, pitch it, sell it and navigate the development steps with your distributor to get a first season order. John will teach you how to work with network executives to achieve your goals in a way that they also achieve theirs. 

John has successfully created, pitched, sold, and executive produced shows for TBS, Hulu, and Sony/Crackle. He has also created and produced pilots for Fox and Comedy Central and has pitched, sold and developed shows for HBO, NBC, MTV, and Sony/BBC. Along the way, he's worked with legendary television creators, including Norman Lear (ALL IN THE FAMILY) and FRIENDS' creators  Kevin Bright, David Crane, and Marta Kauffman.

Plus, John will lead a mock network meeting so you can be best prepared to work with executives and take the best advantage of your opportunities.

John is sharing his 25 years of entertainment business experience with you exclusively through Stage 32. This is a rare opportunity to learn from a top showrunner to see how professional television series creators take their ideas all the way to your television screen. 

Praise for John:

"John was energetic and very positive and encouraging. I appreciated his perspective and advice." - Andrea R.

"John is great - emphasizing the sizzle reel was very helpful to hear." - Tom Z.

"[John's] information about the pitch deck, sizzle, and experiences were incredibly helpful." Ilana R.

Session 1 - The Creation

In week one, we will focus on the primary element — the idea itself. A creator must balance their original POV into a construct that can efficiently communicate with an audience. These framing devices or “hooks” are the engine that allows the audience to enjoy the creator’s original characters, narratives, and concepts. In today’s market, audiences vary widely from the traditional network mass audience to the niche audiences on streamers. We will focus on how to best assess your options in terms of building a show that appeals to a wide variety of buyers.

• Creating an environment that exploits character dynamics
• Why your main character needs a superpower
• Which aspects of your concept should be developed for the pitch
• How to use a sizzle reel to help create and enhance your show

Q&A with John

Session 2 - The Pitch

No matter how great an idea is, if it can’t be presented clearly and efficiently, it will not get out of the gate. In session 2, we will discuss the elements of a successful pitch: the sizzle reel, the pitch deck, and the leave-behind. We will look at real-world examples with an eye on what to emulate and what to avoid. Buyers hear dozens of pitches, and there are certain standards that they will expect. At the same time, you want to create a pitch structure that is unique to your project.

• Why a sizzle reel is not a pilot
• What to send out before a pitch meeting
• The do’s and don’ts of a pitch deck
• The use of visuals and recognizable talent in a pitch
• Under what circumstances should a leave behind be left behind?

Q&A with John

Session 3 - The Sale

A pitch is essentially a sales proposal that requires a well-rehearsed bullet-proof presentation. This begins with a team that convinces executives to risk their jobs by banking millions of dollars on you and your creation. While some pitches only require the creator in the room, this is rare. In this session, we will discuss how to package your pitch with the right team members. Preparation is the key, and we will also discuss rehearsal and participate in mock executive Q & As.

• Creative ways to reach out to talent to attach to your project
• Leveraging your assets to attract representation
• How to discover which elements are missing from your team
• When and how to attach a showrunner
• Overall pitfalls

Q&A with John

Session 4 - The Pilot

In this final class, we discuss the wonderful challenge of navigating a pilot. A development and/or script deal can be a daunting experience as one attempts to get the best deal possible while remaining sane. Afterwards the real work begins, and we will consider the pilot outline through the first two drafts and polish. Particular emphasis will be placed on addressing executive notes and the importance of demonstrating a desire to be collaborative. How do we take notes, no matter how off-putting, so the executive feels heard while making the project better at the same time?

• Strategies to address the exhaustion factor
• Network notes — what to expect and how to navigate
• Polishing a pilot with an eye toward a series of pickup

Q&A with John

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to go into TV filming.

All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to go into TV filming.

Producers looking to go into TV filming.

Actors looking to go into TV filming.

Praise for John:

"John was energetic and very positive and encouraging. I appreciated his perspective and advice."

"John is great - emphasizing the sizzle reel was very helpful to hear."

"[John's] information about the pitch deck, sizzle, and experiences were incredibly helpful."