How to Develop and Pitch Your TV Horror Series - with Stranger Things Bible Download
Hosted by Kevin Nicklaus
$49
On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.
Start Learning
Hosted by Kevin Nicklaus
$49
On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.
Webinar hosted by: Kevin Nicklaus
Producer at Sandstone Artists
Kevin Nicklaus is a veteran development executive, with a long tenure with the Warner Bros-based production company, The Wolper Organization, which has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. which covers all divisions, including HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros. features, and more. The Wolper Organization has been responsible for over 500 films, which have won more than 150 awards, including two Oscars, 50 Emmys, seven Golden Globes, five Peabody’s, and recognition and retrospectives from Cannes and other respected international film festivals. The company has multiple drama series and films (including films to debut on streaming platforms) in active development. Kevin has been integral to the early development and sales of "BATES MOTEL" for A&E, the 2016 Emmy-nominated "ROOTS" for History, STEPHEN KING'S SALEM'S LOT for TNT, THE MISTS OF AVALON for TNT, HELTER SKELTER for CBS, THE BAD SEED for Lifetime and more. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Horror genre television series are in demand in a BIG way. Many production companies and buyers are actively looking for stories that provide thrills, chills and scares. In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in developing and producing popular shows for cable, steamers and network television. Shows like AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD franchise, HBO Max's THE LAST OF US and FX’s AMERICAN HORROR STORY have been paving the way for a new era of high quality, diverse, and ambitious horror series unlike anything that’s ever been created before. And according to the ratings, the appetite for this TV genre only continues to grow. If you have ever thought about writing, producing or selling your own horror television series, now is the time.
Kevin Nicklaus is a veteran development executive with a long tenure with the The Wolper Organization, which has a first-look deal with Warner Bros., including HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros. features, and more. He has been integral to the early development and sales of BATES MOTEL for A&E, the Emmy-nominated ROOTS for History, STEPHEN KING'S SALEM'S LOT for TNT, THE MISTS OF AVALON for TNT, HELTER SKELTER for CBS, THE BAD SEED for Lifetime and more. Kevin has been active in the world of horror television for years now and knows better than most what it takes to get a scary series off the ground.
Kevin will delve into what the world of horror television looks like today and how best to approach and pitch your own horror series to give it the best shot of getting noticed. He’ll begin with a primer of horror television, including its history and a look at why it’s now more desirable for networks. He’ll also delve into the 4 popular trends currently found in horror TV and what the most popular horror series are right now and why. Kevin will then give you tips on how to approach your own horror series including how to consider your audience, whether your idea is a series or just a long movie, using teasers and cliffhangers effectively, and how to find your episodic engine. Next Kevin will show you how best to pitch your horror series. He’ll explain who’s looking for horror projects, what a good horror TV pitch deck looks like and what to focus on when you’re in the room. Finally he will outline the biggest mistakes to avoid when putting together your horror series, both when writing the pilot and when pitching.
Expect to walk away with a much clearer idea of how best to craft your own horror television series and have it find success.
Kevin will even provide a free download of STRANGER THINGS’ early pitch deck and use it as a case study when delving into building your own pitch documents.
Praise for Kevin's Stage 32 Webinar:
"It was exactly what I was looking for!"
-Seth N.
"Spot on! Helped me think big picture."
-Scot B.
"There was a lot of specific detail and the breakdown of the pitch deck was fantastic."
-Brien G.
What You'll Learn
- Why Is Horror Now More Desirable For Networks, Cable and Streamers?
- The history of horror TV
- The 4 current popular trends in horror TV
- The most popular horror series on right now and why
- How to Develop Your Own Horror Series
- Understanding the tradition
- Determining your point of view
- Considering your audience
- How to tell if this is really a series or just a long movie
- What is an episodic engine and how to find your own
- 4 types of episodic engines that work well in horror
- Using teasers and cliffhangers effectively
- “Kick up dust” and other tips to consider
- How to Pitch Your Own Horror Series
- Who is looking for these types of projects?
- How important is existing IP?
- How to find opportunities to pitch to someone who is interested
- What a good horror television pitch deck looks like
- What to lean on when you’re in the room
- Case Study: STRANGER THINGS Pitch Deck
- Kevin will delve into the real pitch deck used for STRANGER THINGS and explain what makes it effective
- You will receive the STRANGER THINGS pitch deck as a free download to take with you after the webinar
- Mistakes to Avoid
- THE biggest mistake writers make when creating a horror series
- What NOT to say in the room
- Q&A with Kevin
About Your Instructor
Kevin Nicklaus
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