Let me start by saying everything is NOT a TV Show.  Some things just are what they are, and should not be televised.

A Pitch is much more than just an idea you have.  The idea may be the starting point but the pitch is much, much more.  And the pitch is a different animal than the actual script.  And the script is different than the pilot.  And the pilot is different than the series.

The Pitch I’m talking about today is based on personal experience as opposed to an adaptation.  They are very similar except one you were inspired to create the other you found interesting enough to want to create a pitch.  I will never understand the difference between hi and low concept and premise and non-premise pilots.  Here’s what’s worked for me.  And I have sold 98% of my pilot ideas.

1. Inspiration

Executives love to hear how your idea affects you personally.  Perhaps you were shocked at the billion dollar shoplifting industry the number of cesarean sections each year.  Or maybe you’ve had a very unique personal experience.   Or a character that you really admire or a story that you feel really needs to be told — The first time you fell in love.  Innocently catching your parents sharing private moment together.  Getting fired from a job you loved.  Things that are universal

2. The World

This is very important.  If the person you are pitching to doesn’t understand the world or if it’s a world we’ve seen too often you will be in trouble.   In addition to the popular mash-up of two ideas — Godfather meets Laverne & Shirley.  You want to describe the feel or tone of the world.   Does it feel like a place Cheers that is so comfortable and everyone wants to be your friend:  Or a sterile, cold, corporate culture where no one really gets to know each other.  Can’t trust each other.  Yet need each other.

What are the universal elements?  Everyone has trust issues?  We are a nation run by fear?  Does the media tries to control us through fear?

3. Characters

In a half hour they usually want one character with a very strong point of view. Surrounded by funny, supporting characters — Unless it’s an absolute ensemble.  Then you can tell stories about all of them.   In dramas unless it’s about a particular, unique crime solver, it’s usually an ensemble of some kind like Grey’s Anatomy, or ER or Brother’s and Sisters.

Also, what are the characters relationships to each other?  In half-hour; the execs are obsessed with the character’s knowing each other and how do they know each other?   It’s easiest to make some related in a family way:  brothers, aunts, cousins or best friends from child hood.  In drama’s they usually meet on the job or Med school or the Academy.

4. Pilot story

Broad strokes –and only if they ask for it. And/or other broad stroke story ideas if you have them.

I also like to add multi-platform ideas now that those are such a part of the current television experience.  For example: if you’re pitching a show where someone is a temperamental Chef – maybe one of the web ideas is to have the Chef character giving recipes on the Show’s web site.