Hello Creators,
So here it goes... I created a slate of original television and feature film scripts of all genes with diverse characters. I thought to myself, hey if I can't get the door open, I'll make a door. So after I completed my pilots for television shows to get them ready for pilot season, I said it's time for business beast mode. What do we need first ..
Funding proposal - I've started building the business plan and marketing strategy, what missing hmmm, film budget , so I reach out to fellow creators to help me....crickets. So I started learning gathering data and quotes from productions companies ... this went really well.
Next Casting Calls- So I post a casting call on Backstage.... OMG! The response was overwhelming for a Mafia male lead show and a Female lead gritty drama to say. I called agents and managers for my top billers and/ B, C list with notable names. I reached out to a few casting directors for guidance on this ....louder crickets..
A friend of mind who is a producers, but not active said " You are doing to much" , you need to find a director and a producers to handle all this for you. You need to stay focus on creating! Okay, point taken!
Lets find a director and a producer.
So I signed up for IMDBPro cause I need contacts number and or email for people who have done work similar to the pilots I have. Still waiting patiently..( I know they will call ...any minute now...c'mon ring..lol)
Well while I wait, I guess I can call and talk to distributors while this will happen ( stay focus, stay vigilant) You'd be surprised by your bottom line if you are not careful, and or dealing with people who can take advantage of you if you don't educate yourself about this ..( educate yourself about this business).
I'm a bit tired today, so I'm laying on the floor with my laptop, giving my mind a rest and it's quiet. Then I said self, reach out to the the members of Stage32 and see who wants to help me get off the floor... LMAO in delirium!
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Hi Silena...Best of Luck to you; I am at the first stage of your 'Helter/Skelter' roller-coaster ride -that is pilot (and novel) in hand. I truly wish you success.
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I feel you. I've hit the wall myself many times. What usually works best for me, is when I start to give up on my own project, I come in contact with someone who needs my expertise getting their own project done. So I go and do that. Every time, a door opens, and I find connections there willing to listen to me go on about my ideas, and when that project ends, I find myself moving forward again. I hope you find some encouragement in this!
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At minimum, it is a 3 to 5-year plan, from script to movie and then you have to sell it. Start spending your own money, form an LLC, work a little every day. The year(s) will go by fast.
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Steven Gaddis Thanks you for this Steven. That's something I always do with any aspiring person. If someone is in need or stuck, I've spend time with them sometimes just given out creative ideas, reading scripts, encouraging them when they get down, etc.. I never ask for anything in return I just love helping others. I haven't given up on the projects, sometimes you're in the fog and looking for a guiding light , but you keep searching in every corner.
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Silena, congrats on your strong vision. First, determine which current TV shows are most similar to your pilots. Next, look up the contact info of these shows' production companies on IMDbpro. Then, pitch your pilots directly to them.You'll see quicker results pitching to production companies which have existing relationships with the networks rather than trying to pitch to networks yourself as an outsider.
Erik A. Jacobson Thanks I'll give that approach a try! When I created the pilots, I look to see which networks don't have what I've created, so far I have a wide field. The director and producers of shows that have done something similar ( which has been awhile since they did this kind of show) I'm looking up, but they don't take unsolicited material. So now I'm networking with people who were close to the show ( former writers, etc.) to see where that leads me. Thanks for the advise..now I'm sitting up instead of laying on the floor...lol