Post by Jamison on Oct 28, 2009 2:23:22 GMT -6
Prerequisites
Before you are able to pitch your virtual series to the network, you must be an active member of the forum, which means more than one thing. First and foremost, you must be registered to the board. If you are not already registered, you may do so here.
Secondly, you must also have had made 20 posts, minimum. This requirement has been put in place so that network staff can review your posts for merit, which can reflect your qualities as a script writer.
We know that pitching a series is something you are extremely interested in, but we want to make sure you have a sense of "community spirit." If you're not sure on where you can start building your activity and adding meaning and merit to your posts, try to take part in the forums many discussion boards, or perhaps even read/review current pitches and shows on the forum.
What We're Looking For
Once you have taken care of all the pre-requisites, theVPN encourages you all to come and pitch your series/movie to the network, so we are here to tell you what we like to see, and what we're looking for when we review your pitch.
Originality
Looking to make a show that's exactly like Breaking Bad, only ''better?'' Nice goal. However, that's not what we're looking for here. theVPN, especially after the ReBrand, is all about uniqueness and originality. Don't be afraid to use past ideas as motivators and inspiration, but also, make it your number one goal to create something fresh! Dig deep enough and you'll be sure to strike gold.
Format
Another big part of pitching a virtual series, is making sure it looks good. The overall formatting of your pitch can either make or break your idea. Some moderators will take one glance at a pitch and if its not up to par, formatting-wise, they'll never open your pitch again. Pitching is meant to be fun, but it's also hard work. It requires a certain level of structure. That being said, if you're uncertain about how to go about formatting your pitch, the best thing you can do is read M.J Calder's "HOW TO PITCH A VIRTUAL SERIES AND LOOK LIKE A PRO," guide.
Try not to give us one sentence summaries for your show, characters or episodes. It will greatly detract from what your pitch could be.
We love graphics. They're pretty. But, they are NOT REQUIRED! We'd sacrifice graphics for exceptional formatting any day.
Capability to Run a VS
If you're thinking about running a virtual series on theVPN, you should have a pretty good idea of what you're getting into first. Long, hard hours of work; gallons of sweat, blood and tears. Lonely Saturday nights. Okay. I might be stretching a little bit, but I was serious about the hard work bit. If you're not sure you can handle running a show alone, there are a few things you can do about it.
For example; enlist the help of other writers. Getting a writing staff together can take stress of your workload, as well as provide you with a chance to get to know other writers, and have different ideas and inputs put into developing your series.
If you're still not sure you're up to running a series, why don't you apply for a position on someone else's writing staff, before taking the helm yourself. You can never have too much experience!
The Pitch/Pickup Process **UPDATED**
1. THE PITCH | Once you've pitched your webseries, mini-series, or webisode series, you will be given a series of reviews for your overall pitch. What we like about it, as well as what we think could need a little work. This will give you an idea of what the network is looking for before you begin or finish writing you pilot.
2. REVIEW STAGES | Once the first draft of your pilot has been completed, and you've edited it to your liking, post the pilot unto the pitch itself in order for it to be reviewed by the Pilot Review board, as well as non-staff members on theVPN. Once your pilot has been read by those on the review board, you will be given a detailed review of your script from the Review Board, explaining their likes and dislikes of your script. Based on the review, they will decide whether your script is ready to be considered for pick up.
Please, do not be discouraged if these reviews are not what you would have hoped them to be. The board will not give a definitive NO to your project. Instead, you will be presented with a chance to take what they've told you about script, and revise it before entering it a second time.
3. THE PICK-UP | If the review board, and network executives believe you're pilot is of exceptional quality, and you're picked up, I know you will be excited to start writing and airing episodes. However, before any series premieres, at least half of their ordered string of episodes for Season One must be written.
For example; The network orders a new Mystery Drama to series, which has been given a 12-13 episode order for it's first season. A total of 6 episodes must be written BEFORE the series airs on the network. This is not to restrict new showrunners, or pressure them to write as fast as they can.
These rules will only be a benefit for writers and readers alike, to ensure shows run at a stable pace. If you wish to write an entire season before airing a single episode, to further ensure that the season will go by, uninterrupted by delays you may do so, but it is not required. (This method is designed to cut stress levels in half)
4. SERIES PREMIERE & BEYOND! | Just the beginning of your journey. Episodes, from this point on, will be viewed, and reviewed by fans, which will most likely consist of those on the review board, network executives and of course, everyday readers. The staying power of your series is on your shoulders, however, the Review Board will always follow up on your progress and be there to provide any help or advice you may need as you produce your new series.
Before you are able to pitch your virtual series to the network, you must be an active member of the forum, which means more than one thing. First and foremost, you must be registered to the board. If you are not already registered, you may do so here.
Secondly, you must also have had made 20 posts, minimum. This requirement has been put in place so that network staff can review your posts for merit, which can reflect your qualities as a script writer.
We know that pitching a series is something you are extremely interested in, but we want to make sure you have a sense of "community spirit." If you're not sure on where you can start building your activity and adding meaning and merit to your posts, try to take part in the forums many discussion boards, or perhaps even read/review current pitches and shows on the forum.
What We're Looking For
Once you have taken care of all the pre-requisites, theVPN encourages you all to come and pitch your series/movie to the network, so we are here to tell you what we like to see, and what we're looking for when we review your pitch.
Originality
Looking to make a show that's exactly like Breaking Bad, only ''better?'' Nice goal. However, that's not what we're looking for here. theVPN, especially after the ReBrand, is all about uniqueness and originality. Don't be afraid to use past ideas as motivators and inspiration, but also, make it your number one goal to create something fresh! Dig deep enough and you'll be sure to strike gold.
Format
Another big part of pitching a virtual series, is making sure it looks good. The overall formatting of your pitch can either make or break your idea. Some moderators will take one glance at a pitch and if its not up to par, formatting-wise, they'll never open your pitch again. Pitching is meant to be fun, but it's also hard work. It requires a certain level of structure. That being said, if you're uncertain about how to go about formatting your pitch, the best thing you can do is read M.J Calder's "HOW TO PITCH A VIRTUAL SERIES AND LOOK LIKE A PRO," guide.
Try not to give us one sentence summaries for your show, characters or episodes. It will greatly detract from what your pitch could be.
We love graphics. They're pretty. But, they are NOT REQUIRED! We'd sacrifice graphics for exceptional formatting any day.
Capability to Run a VS
If you're thinking about running a virtual series on theVPN, you should have a pretty good idea of what you're getting into first. Long, hard hours of work; gallons of sweat, blood and tears. Lonely Saturday nights. Okay. I might be stretching a little bit, but I was serious about the hard work bit. If you're not sure you can handle running a show alone, there are a few things you can do about it.
For example; enlist the help of other writers. Getting a writing staff together can take stress of your workload, as well as provide you with a chance to get to know other writers, and have different ideas and inputs put into developing your series.
If you're still not sure you're up to running a series, why don't you apply for a position on someone else's writing staff, before taking the helm yourself. You can never have too much experience!
The Pitch/Pickup Process **UPDATED**
1. THE PITCH | Once you've pitched your webseries, mini-series, or webisode series, you will be given a series of reviews for your overall pitch. What we like about it, as well as what we think could need a little work. This will give you an idea of what the network is looking for before you begin or finish writing you pilot.
2. REVIEW STAGES | Once the first draft of your pilot has been completed, and you've edited it to your liking, post the pilot unto the pitch itself in order for it to be reviewed by the Pilot Review board, as well as non-staff members on theVPN. Once your pilot has been read by those on the review board, you will be given a detailed review of your script from the Review Board, explaining their likes and dislikes of your script. Based on the review, they will decide whether your script is ready to be considered for pick up.
Please, do not be discouraged if these reviews are not what you would have hoped them to be. The board will not give a definitive NO to your project. Instead, you will be presented with a chance to take what they've told you about script, and revise it before entering it a second time.
3. THE PICK-UP | If the review board, and network executives believe you're pilot is of exceptional quality, and you're picked up, I know you will be excited to start writing and airing episodes. However, before any series premieres, at least half of their ordered string of episodes for Season One must be written.
For example; The network orders a new Mystery Drama to series, which has been given a 12-13 episode order for it's first season. A total of 6 episodes must be written BEFORE the series airs on the network. This is not to restrict new showrunners, or pressure them to write as fast as they can.
These rules will only be a benefit for writers and readers alike, to ensure shows run at a stable pace. If you wish to write an entire season before airing a single episode, to further ensure that the season will go by, uninterrupted by delays you may do so, but it is not required. (This method is designed to cut stress levels in half)
4. SERIES PREMIERE & BEYOND! | Just the beginning of your journey. Episodes, from this point on, will be viewed, and reviewed by fans, which will most likely consist of those on the review board, network executives and of course, everyday readers. The staying power of your series is on your shoulders, however, the Review Board will always follow up on your progress and be there to provide any help or advice you may need as you produce your new series.
