Developing and Pitching Kids Programming
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Webinar hosted by: Kirill Baru
Sitcom Writer and Producer (BABY DADDY, SYDNEY TO THE MAX)
Kirill Baru is a sitcom writer and executive producer who’s staffed on and sold a variety of live-action and animated comedy shows. He’s written in the adult space, where he’s produced series like Freeform’s BABY DADDY and the critically acclaimed animated show DAN VS. on the HUB. He’s also written and produced several series in the kids space, from Disney’s SYDNEY TO THE MAX to Cartoon Network’s MAD: THE ANIMATED SERIES. When Kirill isn’t staffing on shows, he’s developing projects with networks such as Disney and Netflix. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Have you ever wanted to see what it takes to sell a kids show successfully in today’s market? In this webinar, you’ll learn from an executive producer in kids programming what today’s audiences are looking for, how to deliver a great script, and how to pitch and sell your project successfully.
Do you have a fantastic idea for the next great kids show?
Do you want to inspire and shape the next generation? Or make their day a little brighter with relatable stories with heart?
Some of the best comedy writing and storytelling on television comes from kids programming, but the space is rapidly changing as more platforms and networks arrive, each with their own unique needs. These networks need you and your stories to meet their programming demands.
In this Stage 32 exclusive webinar, you’ll find out exactly how the pros create and sell their stories to the biggest networks and streaming platforms in town by creating projects with humor, heart, and knowing what kids are watching today.
You’ll learn:
- Tips and current trends in kids television
- Obstacles and constraints
- How not to talk down to your audience
- The difference between Nickelodeon and Disney
- How to use point-of-view to your advantage
- Essential elements to seeing your pitch
- The differences in pitching for kids shows vs. adult shows
- The power of co-viewing
- And so much more
You’ll be learning directly from executive producer and sitcom writer Kirill Baru. He has worked on and sold both live-action and animated comedy shows in both the adult and kids space, including Disney’s SYDNEY TO THE MAX and Cartoon Network’s MAD: THE ANIMATED SERIES.
Kirill also sold the series EAGLETON ESTATES to Netflix Kids and, using this project as a case study, Kirill will walk you through creating his pitch that sold the show, providing you with the steps to sell your own.
By the end of this webinar with Kirill, you’ll be confident about writing and packaging your kids television series as a market-ready project.
What You'll Learn
- An Intro to Kirill
- An Overview of Kids Comedy Series
- Understanding The market today-who is buying, who is selling, where could your series possibly go?
- What do a day and season look like on a kids multicam?
- Common Obstacles and constraints
- Tips on Writing for Kids
- What are kids drawn to today?
- How not to talk down to kids
- Nick vs. Disney (Bugs vs. Mickey)
- Writing “Good” people vs. “bad” people
- Writing Relatable vs. aspirational
- How to Use POV to Your Advantage
- What it means to avoid “gas and brakes” relationships
- Suspense vs. surprise
- Writing Effective Main Characters.
- Writing Effective Secondary Characters
- Elements of a Pitching and Selling Your Kids TV
- What makes these pitches different than pitches for adult TV
- Creating something new yet familiar
- Creating an episode factory
- Pitching characters
- Semi-serialized vs. syndicatable
- The power of co-viewing
- Competing with YouTube
- A note about toys and merch
- Case Study EAGLETON ESTATES
- Kirill will walk you through the pitch document he created for his show EAGLETON ESTATES that he successfully sold to Netflix Kids
- Final Thoughts
- Homework you should be doing now to prepare to write and sell your own project
- 5 more minutes
- 3rd heat
- What does a good day look like?
- Q&A with Kirill
About Your Instructor
Kirill Baru
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Testimonials
"Good information from a successful writer of children's comedies! " -Deborah J.
"Loved Kirill and his openness and enthusiasm." Katy D.
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How to Develop, Pitch and Sell a Kids TV Series for a Streamer or Network
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