In addition to a tight, killer script, every TV project needs a strong series bible or deck to help convey sustainability and its role in the marketplace. And execs commonly ask for pitch decks for features as well! So submit your Series Bible, Pitch Deck (20 pages max each), or both, and the exec will conduct a 30-minute notes call (1-hour if submitting both documents) to help you clarify and sharpen the supplemental material to help your marketing efforts.
Questions? Email terra@roadmapwriters.com
Although the pitch is less central to the industry in Britain than in the States, the best pitches I've seen (and the ones Americans have told me were the best they've seen) have been by British producers. That might mean something as banal as 'Be yourself'. More helpfully, it might mean that, in a globalised market, what a creator has to offer is difference. You don't need to conform to what you think the pitch is supposed to be. Commissioners are looking the next stand-out project; it's okay to stand out. Confidence is good, clarity is crucial, but neither are attainable while you're pretending to be someone else.
The next comedy wave. It's been a while since anything new and funny has come along. By 'new' I mean 'not like THE OFFICE'. And I'm obsessed with format. I believe every truly great show invents its own format, a way of telling its story that's unique as the stories themselves. Thinking about format is a good way for new writers to prioritise how they tell story and how those stories can stand out in the marketplace.
Country and Western. Also, not great on projects where dialogue and characterisation are afterthoughts.
Fintan Ryan has worked extensively in British T.V. as a writer and producer. He created and executive produced THE ALIENS (Clerkenwell Films) and BAD CROWD (World Productions). He's worked on BAFTA-winning shows REV (Big Talk) and IN THE FLESH (BBC) as hits like PARTY ANIMALS (World Productions) and HUSTLE (Kudos). Most recently he was a writer/producer on THEN YOU RUN (Kudos).
Fintan has experience in the American market, successfully pitching projects to network and cable platforms. His sit-coms BAD CROWD (ABC) and LITTLE BROTHER (DIR. Sean Levy, FOX) both went to pilot. After some years concentrating on character-led genre, Fintan is back in comedy and is currently developing a comedy drama police procedural with VAL Productions.
As a writer, Fintan knows the route from spec scripts and pitches through to writers room story-conferences, all the way to on-set re-writes. He has a firm grasp of story, character and structure. As a show-runner and producer he has experience dealing with fellow writers, creative teams, commissioners and broadcasters. He's keen to pass on his knowledge of what broadcasters are looking for and what creators should look out for.
After registering, you will receive instructions on how to submit your material in your order confirmation email. After submitting your material, please allow 3-4 weeks to receive proposed times for scheduling your consult with the exec.
PITCH DECKS: These are visually-driven documents (20 pages max) that use images and short paragraphs of text to demonstrate the tone, world, character insight, key plot points, stakes, and theme of the series or feature. If the Pitch Deck is for a show, it will use some of the same sections of text as your Series Bible, but will be less extensive. When creating a pitch deck, always make sure that you are using images of a consistent size and quality, and that you use the same font, color code, margins, and other design specifications throughout. Click here for a Pitch Deck example! Want more insight? Consider signing up for our Creating Professional Level Pitch Decks webinar!
SERIES BIBLES: These supplemental documents are text-only (20 pages max), and can get requested when marketing any sort of TV show. Among other things, they should demonstrate what makes your characters unique and captivating, the focus and evolution of their arcs, the rules of the world, the hook of the story engine, the intended tone and theme, as well as why YOU are the best person to write this show from this perspective. Here's example #1 and example #2. Note: The formatting and organization of Series Bibles has changed since these examples were created, but addressing these sections in your own Series Bible will be a great starting point to make sure you're answering questions before they're asked.
**Please note series bibles and pitch decks are each limited to 20 pages maximum. Please contact terra@roadmapwriters.com for pricing on a consultation for material exceeding 20 pages.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with Roadmap's Code of Conduct.
Questions? Email terra@roadmapwriters.com
Cancellation Policy: You may cancel your registration for a refund or Roadmap gift card if you have not yet submitted your material for review. However, once your material has been received by Roadmap, your registration cannot be canceled. Having revised material or a desire to retroactively apply a discount or gift card code are not grounds for cancellation, refunds, or gift card credit. Once your material has been submitted, the only acceptable grounds for cancellation and a refund or gift card credit is an unforeseen, ongoing emergency on the part of either the writer or the exec resulting in more than 6 weeks without any scheduling update from the exec via direct contact or Roadmap, or a sudden change in the exec's ongoing availability. In the instance of an irreconcilable scheduling issue, the writer may still receive a written feedback report from the exec. In this case, the writer is not entitled to a refund or gift card credit as the exec has read the submitted material and provided written feedback in lieu of the call.