When you’re ready to jump into the deep end of TV production, one of your first steps will be to create a proposal for your show. The process of creating a proposal can be daunting and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Having a comprehensive plan is the best way to ensure that your project is successful.
A killer television show concept is only the starting point. To get a green light, that kernel of an idea must be developed into a rock-solid show proposal that hooks network executives and clearly maps out every element of the series. Show creators invest substantial time crafting polished proposals that reflect a mastery of what makes great TV.
From establishing the premise to profiling characters to outlining early episodes, the proposal is the blueprint conveying the vision in meticulous detail. Here are techniques to craft an airtight show proposal package that maximizes the odds of selling your show.
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Refine the Core Premise
Your proposal should include a thoughtful, well-developed logline that succinctly sums up the premise and key characters in a compelling way. Start by writing out an elevator pitch of no more than three sentences that summarizes your show’s concept. This blurb will be used throughout the process to communicate the series’ essence.
Start by distilling your show concept into a short, intriguing logline summing up the core premise in 1-2 sentences. This central idea should establish a unique setting, world or character that inherently sparks episodic stories. “A chemistry teacher with cancer becomes a meth dealer.” “90s era women wrestlers in LA navigate romance and competition.” “Teenager time travels back to the 1980s.” Strong premises have inherent dramatic potential that connects with audiences.
Outline the Character Arcs
After you have the main concept down, develop a few characters whose stories will drive the season arc and generate story possibilities in future seasons. Create detailed character bios that outline their physical attributes, backgrounds and motivations. You should also include potential plot points to illustrate how each character could play out over time.
These characters should be distinctive but relatable, providing insight into human nature while also eliciting empathy. Even if your show concept is outrageous, it needs to have characters with realistic motivations. Also consider casting when outlining characters – specific actors can help sell the project to networks and future viewers.
Flesh out the central characters that will be part of this journey, going beyond just a name and occupation. Define their backgrounds, motivations, flaws, strengths and hidden desires that provide depth and complexity. Sketch out thoughtful character arcs across the first season showing evolution, growth and transformations. Audiences need to see the journey ahead to invest in watching it unfold for these characters. Memorable television characters feel like real people.
Build Out the World
The world you create for your series should be consistent and believable. As key elements, consider the day-to-day life of the characters in this particular setting – what do they do on a daily basis? What are their routines? Once these environment details are well established, explore how it might inform a broader story arc.
Describe how the physical world of the show will look, feel and sound. If there’s a super power element, explain how it works in this universe and its effects on society. How do people interact with it? What rules govern it?
Provide vivid details about the show’s distinct setting and the rules governing its world. Is it an atmospheric small town where nothing is random? A magical yet perilous realm? A rough inner city neighborhood?
The setting provides endless story fodder when fleshed out. Explain the show’s tone – is it gritty and realistic or escapist and heightened? Define the visual style and format if integral to the concept. Immerse executives in the world.
Map the First Episode
The pilot episode must be strong enough to get the series picked up and set up a compelling journey for future episodes. Start by brainstorming potential story arcs, hooks, twists and cliffhangers.
Describe where this first episode will take us and how it points to the larger arc of the season. Describe how it introduces characters, their struggles and the world of the series. How will we learn about them? What new elements are introduced in each episode?
The pilot should grab attention and propel viewers into the next installment. Include a concise synopsis for this initial episode that sets up the premise, characters and conflicts while also leaving room for surprises. It should be an exciting jumping off point that executives can
Walk through the pilot episode beat by beat highlighting key scenes, character introductions and catalyst events. Pilots need to hook viewers while establishing the central dramatic question and relationships that power upcoming stories. Demonstrate how the first episode kicks the show into motion in a big way. Include tentative dialogue snippets that reflect character voice and personality. Vividly dramatizing the pilot hooks the reader.
Outline Early Story Arcs
Network executives want to see a clear road map for the season arc of your show. Provide a bird’s eye view of what characters and stories will be explored in upcoming episodes. What plot points and themes are created by the pilot and where do they lead?
Plot out three to five episodes that come after the pilot. Each episode should have its own mini-arc and pay off. Describe the conflicts that emerge from each episode, any plot twists that will surprise viewers and characters arcs that develop over time.
Provide a paragraph summary for the initial batch of episodes to convey continuing story momentum. Map out dramatic conflicts that unfold over multi-episodes or the season. Include surprising reveals, new characters, locations, relationships that enter the mix. A strong proposal indicates thoughtful long-term planning beyond just a great pilot premise. Prove this is a fertile arena for ongoing storytelling.
Showcase Tone and Style
The tone and style of the show should be evident in your proposal. Suggested approaches include samples of existing stories that embody a similar feel or writing clips from episodes to illustrate what viewers can expect.
Include an opening sequence description, theme song and any other elements integral to the concept. Include visuals if they reflect the proposed world – concept art, location photos, costume sketches or storyboard samples. These visuals will help executives get a better sense of your proposed world.
For every pitch, you need to create a distinct brand voice and tone. How does your show feel? Is it darkly comic or earnest and heartfelt? Will the dialogue be witty and sharp or more earnest and direct?
Explain how the visual style will work in tandem with storytelling to create its own unique look. What are the camera angles, shots
Give executives a feel for the show’s distinct visual and tonal DNA by describing standout camerawork, music, editing, dialog pacing and more that shape the style. Identify clear stylistic influences without seeming derivative. Include links to mocked up title sequences, sizzles or mood reels that immerse stakeholders in the atmosphere. Unique style promises a show will cut through the clutter.
Get Into Genre Details
Your proposal should also delve into genre details of the show. Define how it fits within a larger TV landscape, but more importantly why it stands out and why audiences will take notice.
What makes this show different from others? Is there a unique element or twist on an existing format that viewers haven’t seen before? How does it stand out in a crowded TV landscape?
Be sure to explain why you’re the right person to bring this world to life. Explain what inspired you and your team to create this series. Highlight what motivates you as writers/producers and why they should entrust their project in your hands.
Explain how the show speaks to current trends in television and beyond. All of these will help your proposal stand out from the pack.
For certain popular genres, extra detail is expected in the proposal defining key elements viewers demand from the category. Procedurals showcase the crime solving process. Sci-fi series explain the technology and rules of the future. Fantasy provides supernatural mythology. Medical dramas profile interpersonal dynamics. Supplying the right genre ingredients proves familiarity with successful precedents.
Attach Key Talent
If you’ve already landed a talent or creative team behind the project, be sure to include them in your proposal. It doesn’t matter if it’s an up and coming actor, writer, director or showrunner – having key players attached bolsters the profile of your pitch.
Include any committed talent on board with their credits and other pertinent information. Show why they’re the right person to bring this show to life and how their experience will make it successful.
Highlight the strength of your team- from cast, writers, producers, cameramen to editors and sound design – each key element should be accounted for in your proposal. Showcase a collective vision while touting individual strengths.
Networks look for a unified team that’s passionate about the project and committed to its success. Comprehensive details of key talent make your proposal more attractive. They want to know who will be making their show so include as much information as possible on each contributor. Attaching strong talent is one of the best ways to get a network’s attention.
Any major creative talent already interested in your show provides tremendous credibility. Feature successful actors, showrunners, directors, EPs or writers willing to attach and develop their roles. Big names bring built-in audiences. Podcasters and web creators expanding into TV carry their existing fanbase. Prominent talent inspires buyer confidence in the bankability of the project.
Analyze the Competition
Suggested approaches include samples of existing stories that embody a similar feel or writing clips from episodes to illustrate what viewers can expect.
Take time to analyze the competition in the current marketplace and why your show stands out. Explain how your pilot will differentiate itself from other forms of content in its genre. What themes, elements, characters, and conflicts make it unique?
Competitor research offers an invaluable opportunity to highlight why your show stands out from the crowd. Networks want to know that a show will be successful and differentiating yourself is key. Analyze similar series or stories airing now, paying attention to what works well and what might need improvement. Explain how you’re building on existing shows in the genre, advancing the format and creating something viewers haven’t seen before.
Demonstrate intimate knowledge of current and past shows in a similar arena with detailed comparisons about how your show advances the genre. Distinguish your specific twist and approach. Outline the space in the market and target demographic your show is built for. Position the series as the next evolution that builds on audience favorite elements while bringing something fresh.
Get Input From objective Insiders
Assemble a creative team to review your proposal and provide objective input. This could be a producer, writer or showrunner in the same genre who can give feedback on the concept and its viability potential. They’re familiar with what works so tap into their knowledge for honest opinions about improvements that will make it even better.
Get help from other professionals to bring your vision to life. A production house, post-production facility or visual effects studio can help you develop a sizzle reel and nail down the aesthetic you’re going for.
Outside perspective from objective insiders is essential in crafting an effective proposal. They may have little experience in the format but they can give valuable insight about what works and what needs refinement. This third party feedback can offer a fresh perspective on what works and what needs to be adjusted before it’s ready for presentation.
Before presenting, seek honest feedback from experienced creatives with development expertise to strengthen the proposal. Identify any logical gaps that need explaining or elements that seem derivative. Clarify sections that seem dense or confusing for outsiders. Poke holes proactively to make your concept pitcher-proof. Refine based on constructive reactions of objective readers.
Quantify the Core Audience
When creating a pitch, it’s important to think through the target audience for your show. Outline the potential viewers and how they might engage with the content. Provide measurable details about viewership, such as who’s watching and why?
Be sure to specify the age range of viewers you expect to draw in for this series. Take time to analyze the current demographic trends that support the viewership of this show. Are you targeting a younger or older audience? What interests, values and ideals do they share?
Identify any niche markets for this project as well. Do you anticipate crossover appeal with other demographics such as gender, culture, lifestyle or education level? Try to quantify who your core viewers will be and why they’ll be interested in this new series.
Explain which media channels are the best for marketing and promoting your show to its target demographic. Are there any social trends or digital platforms you plan on leveraging? Explain how you will measure viewership metrics once it’s released. This data provides evidence of the potential success and access to a network’s core audience.
Include market research insights demonstrating a viable target viewer demographic that will connect with your concept based on interests and viewing habits. Reference data showing audience appetite for your genre and themes. Provide numbers quantifying the underserved audience niche your show taps into. Prove you intimately understand your fans.
The show proposal forms the foundational blueprint conveying every creative detail and strategic consideration essential to judging a show’s potential. A winning proposal both stokes the imagination of possibilities and substantiates that vision with concrete details of characters, stories, and style. If your concept has breakout television series potential, a strong show proposal crafted with care ensures you have the compelling materials to get that first critical yes. The future hit show exists now in nascent form within a thorough, polished proposal package ready to win hearts and minds.
Why work with C&I Studios?
C&I Studios is a full-service production partnership with over 25 years of experience in television, film, and commercial production. Our team of experienced professionals specialize in content development, project management, finance and legal expertise to help you manage the entire lifecycle of your project from concept to completion.
From creating pitch decks and treatment documents to finding the right investors or buyers, C&I Studios provides all the tools needed to succeed. We use our extensive experience and network of media contacts to help your vision become reality and bring your project to a wider audience. Our commitment is to ensure that each TV show proposal is thoroughly vetted to meet industry standards so that it will stand out in the competitive television landscape.
As part of our process, our team of experienced producers, writers and development executives provide creative feedback to help refine the concept and ensure that it will appeal to a wide audience. With C&I Studios, you have a partner who understands how to create an engaging TV show proposal and market it effectively for your success. We look forward to helping you bring your vision to life!
If you are ready to create your TV show proposal and need assistance, contact C&I Studios today. Our team is here to help guide you through the entire development process from initial concept to creating a compelling pitch deck for prospective buyers. With over 25 years of combined experience in television, film, and commercial production we have the know-how and resources to help make your dream a reality. Contact us today to get started!