Don’t be intimidated

TV execs will tell you they know what they’re looking for. On Tuesday, it’s medical shows. On Wednesday, it’s sitcoms about aliens. On Thursday, illness and aliens are out and lawyers are in. By Friday, they’ll change their minds again.

Why? Because most of them, lacking commercial and creative instincts, base their decisions on what has succeeded already, which dooms them to repeat the same concepts endlessly and copy, copy copy. In fact, that’s how they communicate with each other. “I’ve got a great new concept...it’s MEDIUM meets WEST WING.”

Don’t fall into the trap of second guessing them and adjusting your concept to fit their specifications. It’s a losing battle because their minds continually change. Believe in your concept.

Remember, whatever posture they may assume when you meet with them, they’re just people who want to keep their jobs. They have to find projects that will attract a larger audience than their competitors. They’re looking for: A good story, with interesting characters, told in a compelling way.

They need you! Each concept that’s been copied was originally a new one and someone took a chance on it. Why shouldn’t the next one be yours?

How do you get someone to take a chance on you? You can’t throw something together, calling it a series’ concept, and think someone will give you the keys to the kingdom. Understand your buyer. Most of them are not visionaries. You must hand them a treatment that takes them step by step through the concept, the settings, the characters and the story lines. If you’re willing to do that work, the next new concept they choose might be yours!

At the My TV Treatment six-week workshop, we’ll cover the do’s and don’ts of how to present your concepts to TV executives and get the impact you want. If you’re serious about success in the TV business, learn how it works from an experienced insider.