What Kind Of TV Pitching Devil Are You?
So you've got an idea for a new TV show, have you? I bet you want to sell your idea to a network for millions, don't you? Unfortunately, not everyone has got what it takes for a pitch to be successful - and that goes for people on both sides of the buyer's desk. Find out whether you are a TV pitching winner or sinner.
- 1.You think TV development producers (who specialize in generating and pitching ideas) are:
- A.
A waste of space
- B.
A necessary evil
- C.
Ideas bandits
- D.
On a cushy number
- 2.You think foreign TV shows are:
- A.
Essential viewing at the TV conference hotel - there might be some new ideas you can 'adopt'.
- B.
A source of envy - why don't your shows have those viewing figures / production values?
- C.
Trash. You only produce socially responsible works of art.
- D.
Perfect for 'tweaking' for the domestic market. No one will notice. Hopefully.
- 3.TV commissioning executives:
- A.
Have only got where they are by sleeping with the right people. And some of the wrong ones too.
- B.
Are put upon and surrounded by fools.
- C.
Are nothing but funding sex objects.
- D.
Are clueless idiots who wouldn't know a good idea if someone presented it to them.
- 4.The viewing public:
- A.
Is of no consequence. I only make films that might impress industry award panels.
- B.
Is fickle and unpredictable.
- C.
Gets in the way when I'm trying to film landscape shots.
- D.
Don't know what's good for them.
- 5.Ideas:
- A.
Come to me in a flash of inspiration. Often in the bedrooms of foreign hotels.
- B.
All look the same these days. Where are all the big, noisy, fresh new ones?
- C.
Get stolen. NEVER tell anyone your idea.
- D.
Come from other people.
- 6.Developing a new TV show idea:
- A.
Is best left to other people. I'm too busy.
- B.
Is a political minefield. And I'm usually the main casualty.
- C.
Is an anathema. I make films.
- D.
Is like giving birth to a football.
- 7.Proposals for new TV show concepts:
- A.
Are best when scrawled on the back of an envelope - anything more is a waste of my precious time.
- B.
Make me lose the will to live.
- C.
Are pointless - an artistic vision cannot be constrained on a piece of paper.
- D.
Are an ideal opportunity for me to show how erudite I am.
- 8.The pitch for a new TV show is:
- A.
Best done in the conference bar at midnight.
- B.
Usually all style and no substance.
- C.
An area where sweaty sporting activities are performed.
- D.
An opportunity to bullsh*t, er, be verbally creative.
- 9.Finding new onscreen talent:
- A.
Can't be that hard, I just don't have time at the moment.
- B.
Is a rare skill.
- C.
Is not my job.
- D.
Is a pain in the ass.
- 10.International co-producers:
- A.
Always put a spanner in the works.
- B.
Mean I can get more bang for their buck.
- C.
Mean I have to make irrelevant and tedious versions of my film, when I should be moving on to my next, potentially award-winning film.
- D.
Should be courted and seduced - that's why everyone goes to Cannes.
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