Gaye Hirsch served as EVP, Scripted Development and Alternative Programming for The CW Television Network, where she oversaw all scripted and alternative series development for the network, as well as current alternative series and specials. Select series that she was instrumental in developing include ALL AMERICAN, WALKER, SUPERMAN & LOIS, THE FLASH, ARROW, JANE THE VIRGIN, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, LEGACIES, and RIVERDALE, among many others.
Gaye was recruited into scripted development at The CW after working in the network’s current programming department, where she oversaw the day-to-day production on CW series, including GOSSIP GIRL. Prior to The CW, she managed the development of feature films at Cruise/Wagner Productions, where she was a producer on (nominated for 4 Independent Spirit Awards) and In addition to The CW’s original series, Gaye found award-winning stories in writer and creator collaborations around classic intellectual property. Series like NANCY DREW, the DC Comics and ARROWVERSE franchise and series like BATWOMAN and IN THE DARK put representation at the heart of the narrative.
Previously, Gaye oversaw the feature film development slate for Cruise/Wagner Productions based at Paramount Pictures. Over these six years, she produced two featured films, including SUSPECT ZERO and SHATTERED GLASS, a biopic on the life of journalist Stephen Glass. The feature won 11 awards, including numerous honors from film critics across North America.
Previously, she held the title of VP, Production of HBO Pictures and oversaw the development and production of various Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated films, including GIA and INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE. She also worked in development at Robert Lawrence Productions.
She started her career in the film business at WALT DISNEY/TOUCHSTONE PICTURES. Hired as a Creative Executive, she rose to Vice President of Production for Touchstone Pictures, where she worked on the development and production of feature films.
Throughout her career, Gaye has led critical aspects of development and production for series, docuseries, TV movie, and feature film projects. Collectively, this work has earned 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, an Academy Award nomination, and more than 190 awards overall. Her successes have taken her to the Scripted Summit, NAB, NATPE, and Advancing Diversity Week, as well as to alumni and student groups, where she has been a featured speaker and panelist.
Gaye is a member of the Television Academy and the Producers Guild of America.
What They Are Looking For and How They Can Help You! "As former EVP, Development at The CW Network, Gaye has listened to and commented on thousands of pitches, ultimately shepherding the ones she bought to become successful television series. She is open to series pitches in all genres."
Gaye is open to TV scripts in the Drama, Comedy, Horror, Thriller, Action, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, True Story, Biopic, and Holiday.
Tips on pitching to Gaye Hirsch
Guidelines
Live Pitches
Within 15 minutes of your scheduled pitch, the exec will reach out by Zoom or Phone. Your pitch session will last approximately 8 minutes.
Written Pitches
Written Pitches will be no more than 2 pages submitted as a PDF or WORD document. Any written pitch uploaded past the deadline will not be shown to the executive and will result in a non-refundable forfeiture of your pitch.
Scorecards
Within 3-4 weeks of your pitch session, you will receive a Pitch Scorecard on which the exec you pitched will provide pitch feedback and note if they are PASSing, or would like to REQUEST your material.
If you are requested, you will be notified via email with further instructions. The execs will have 2-3 months to review your material and note if they are PASSing, or would like a MEETING. If a meeting is requested, we will introduce you via email.
Please understand that these are working executives, and their schedules are subject to change at a moment's notice. We always strive to give you at least 24 hours of notice if a session has been cancelled, and we will recommend another executive for you to pitch your material to.
Need help with your pitch?
Download the Stage 32 Pitching Guidebook
Questions or Concerns?
WriterHelp@Stage32.com
Whether you're preparing to find (or switch) representation, go out with a feature or TV script to production companies, studios, streamers, networks, investors or buyers, Stage 32 Pitch Sessions are a great first step to make sure you are on the right track.
Stage 32 has cultivated professional relationships with over 3,000 industry professionals including managers, agents, development executives, producers, investors and other executives and professionals across the industry who listen to pitches from the Stage 32 community. For these executives and pros, Stage 32 has become the place to discover new talent and material.
It’s simple. You simply pick the executive you’d like to pitch to. You can choose to pitch either via Zoom or through a written pitch.
Your executive will give you feedback on the pitch and ask and answer questions in real time. You will learn what works and doesn't work with your material and you can continue to hone your script and pitch as you prepare to go to market.
Then, within 3 weeks, you will receive a scorecard outlining various aspects of your pitch including Pitch Delivery/Format, Clarity of Pitch, Set Up of Protagonist(s) & World, Obstacles & Conflict, Clarity of Tone, Originality of Concept and Strength of Voice.
Further, you will receive an industry standard PASS or REQUEST for your project. If you receive a request for your script OR if the executive requests a meeting (or both!), we will facilitate the arrangement!
For over a decade, Stage 32 writers have secured tens of thousands of script requests and thousands of meetings with industry professionals as a result of pitching through Stage 32. These requests and meetings have led to thousands of success stories including writers securing representation, sales, paid options, produced films, open writing assignments, writers room jobs and much more. You can check out our success stories here!
In our Zoom or Phone pitches, you will pitch directly with the executive through Zoom or via telephone. Your pitch will be 8 minutes in total. It is up to you on how you want to use your time, but we recommend you spend 5-6 minutes to pitch your project, which will allow for 2-3 minutes of executive questions and feedback.
Written Pitches must be no longer than 2 pages submitted as a PDF or WORD document. Your written pitch should include the name of the script, logline, format (feature film or TV pilot) and genre. From there, you’ll want to lay out the main points of your story and character arcs to create and present a clear, concise narrative.
Both live and written pitch sessions follow industry standards and are designed to present your pitch to working executives. They will provide you with meaningful, actionable guidance to not only improve the work and the pitch, but to help you best position your work for the marketplace. So please come fully prepared.
Once you sign up for your pitch session you will be given educational resources to help you best prepare your pitch which include example pitch beat sheets for both feature film & TV verbal pitches, examples of both written and feature film written pitches, as well as an example video Zoom pitch.
This is a professional environment and you are pitching to seasoned executives. Decorum is important. Please adhere to the guidelines below.
You’ve worked so hard on your material, we couldn’t be more excited for you to present the work to your executive. We have no doubt that by following the guidelines above, you’re going to do fantastic!
Best wishes with your pitch.
And remember, if you ever have any questions from choosing an executive to which of our services may be right for you, never hesitate to reach out to the Success Team at success@stage32.com - We’re here to help…always!