This session format is available only to writers in our Top Tier Program.
Exec will review your pages and meet with you via zoom for 30 minutes to continue incubating your new project.
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, your confirmation email will contain a link that says "CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS" that will take you to a form where you will submit your material within 24 hours of registering.