How can I sell an idea for a tv series?
Question by jenloma: How can I sell an idea for a tv series?
I have an idea for a dramatic tv series, and while I don’t know how to put a script together…how can I go about selling my “idea”?
Best answer:
Answer by firstl
Believe it or not, a million other people have your same idea, and ideas do not sell. You need to sell a script.
First get a book called “Television Writing from the Inside Out” by Larry Brody. It is the best of the best. Study it like you were studying for a bar exam.
Then, write a script.
Follow the rules in the book exactly. If you have some money, buy a software program called Final Draft, it will make your writing much easier than trying to use Word. It costs about $ 200.
Next, you will need to send your script to someone. Shows will not read scripts from the outside, period, so unless you have a friend on the inside, you need to send it to an agent.
Buy a book called the “Hollywood Creative Directory.” They have several volumes, buy the one on talent and literary agencies.
Send a proper query letter to every single literary agency listed (the television writing book will show you how). Don’t send your script unless they invite you to.
Avoid the huge agencies like ICM and CAA if you can, they will ignore you, but one or more of the smaller agencies will invite you to send your script.
If it’s good, you will get a response. If it’s not, you won’t.
Sometimes they will be nice enough to write back and say, “good try, try again,” which means you are VERY close to being on the right track, and by all means, do try again and again and again until you make it.
When you get on TV, you will get invited to sign with bigger agencies. Do it. That’s where all the major work is.
Expect this process to take years until you succeed, not weeks or months.
The TV show “Entourage” is pretty accurate about how the television business works.
Good luck, it’s hard work and requires a lot of persistence and patience.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
