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So you've thought of a great concept and outlined a great script. But your show isn't going to make it onto the small screen unless you can deliver a powerful pitch. This one-day course, created and led by programme-making consultants Grand Scheme Media, provides insider knowledge and practical experience of every element of TV's complex pitching process.
You'll learn not just what commissioners expect from a good a pitch, but also the presentation they find most persuasive. You'll also get an up-to-the-minute breakdown of what channels are looking for what content, which will help you to target your pitch. As well as workshopping your own ideas, the course also give you a hands-on lesson in programme development, giving you the chance to interpret a real programme tender brief.
The day ends with a valuable opportunity to pitch your ideas to the course leaders, Graham Smith and Mark Robson, both experienced commissioners who will provide you with detailed, tailored feedback on your pitch. You'll end the day with a polished pitch document, notes on where to go next, and the confidence to send your pitch out into the world.
This course is for you if...
- You already work in television but want to focus your development and pitching skills, with a view to becoming more active in creating new programme formats
- You have a strong idea for a show and want to learn how to give your pitch a professional sheen
Course description
This one-day course mixes formal tuition with discussions and critiques of pitches, to help attendees produce a professional-standard pitch document and present it to commissioners. Attendees will get involved in a range of practical exercises, including pitching their ideas to the course leaders. Topics covered include:
- What is a pitch?
- What commissioners expect from you
- Good pitch/bad pitch: critical analysis of successful – and failed – programme pitches
- Know the market: who wants what, and how to match your idea with the right channel
- Follow the brief: an exercise in fulfilling an actual recent programming tender brief
- Find out how your ideas fit with the current TV landscape
- Pitch perfect: put what you've learned into practice by prepping your original ideas and pitching to the tutors
- Tailored feedback on your pitch
Tutor profiles
Graham Smith is co-founder of Grand Scheme Media, a company specialising in training for television professionals and preparing projects for commission. Prior to founding the company, Graham ran his own indie, TV21, before heading up comedy commissioning for Channel 4 and C5/Paramount. He also worked as an executive producer for the BBC.
Mark Robson is co-founder of Grand Scheme Media. Previously, Mark spent ten years with ITV, commissioning and producing comedy and entertainment, before freelancing as a series and executive producer.
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Details
Date: Sunday 18 January 2015
Times: 10am-4pm. Check-in begins 30 minutes before the start time.
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £249 (includes VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 16
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
