How to Submit TV Ideas
- 1). Write a treatment for the TV show idea. The treatment should be two to four pages long and give the basic premise of the pilot episode. If it is a drama or sitcom, split the treatment into three acts. If it is an informational show or reality show, structure the treatment around the show from start to finish. For example, if the show is like "Survivor," write that the show starts with the contestants dropped off on the island, split into tribes and so forth.
- 2). Register your treatment with the Writer's Guild of America (WGA) and Copyright office. Most television producers and agents will not read a script unless it is registered with the WGA. WGA registration offers instant protection the date you register your script; the copyright adds more protection, including attorney fees, if someone infringes the copyright.
- 3). Write a log line to accompany your treatment. A log line is two to three sentences describing your show's premise. Often, before an agent or television production company will look at a treatment, they first read the log line. If one is not included, the treatment is often deleted or ignored.
- 4). Retrieve company and agent email addresses from the WGA, IMDB or Done Deal Pro. Subscription websites like IMDBPro or the Hollywood Creative Directory offer detailed contact information, but for a monthly fee.
- 5). Email the log line and treatment to agents, producers and television production companies. Simply put the title of the show in the subject line and the log line with your contact information in the body of an email. Do not attach any files. In many cases, you should wait on pasting the treatment unless they request it with your log line.
- 6). Enter television idea contests. The New York Television Festival holds an annual television pitch contest. You can either present a quick pitch of the television show, a pilot episode or full script. Visit contest web pages like MovieBytes.com to see upcoming television pitch contests.
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