PEOPLE'S PILOT COMPETITION

TV NEEDS YOUR IDEAS NOW MORE THAN EVER!

What's Happening in the
PEOPLE'S PILOT COMPETITION?

May 14, 2009

SCRIPTPIMP.COM HAS RETURNED TO THE FOLD

Starting with the 18th PEOPLE'S PILOT, ScriptPimp.Com will once again be awarding 1 year membership in the ScriptPimp.Com Writers Database to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Winners. Welcome back, Pimpsters - and thanks!

May 1, 2009

18th PEOPLE'S PILOT NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES

Yes indeed, we're rockin' on. The closing date is August 1st. Be there - or don't be there. (But if you miss it you're going to feel very, very bad.)

Definitely more to come.

April 30, 2009

17th PEOPLE'S PILOT WINNERS

The Best of the Best in the latest PEOPLE'S PILOT competition. The WINNERS are:

PEOPLE'S PILOT WINNERS

First Prize--SERENDIPITY SISTERS by Christiana Miller - Action/Drama

Second Prize--TAFFY by Hank Isaac – Action/Drama

Third Prize--DON'T TALK ABOUT THE RAINBOW by Margot White – Action/Drama

Runners-Up

1st Runner-Up--TRIPLE THREAT by Kevin Thomas – Action/Drama

2nd Runner-Up--YOU DON'T KNOW JACK by Amy Coombs - Sitcom

Major Congratulations! Everyone did a great job! (And don't forget to go to the Spec Scriptacular results to see the unprecedented finish that leads us to take our hats off and bend very, very low to Christiana!

April 27, 2009

17th PEOPLE'S PILOT FINALISTS

That is it, the Big 11. The creme de menthe (or something like that) of the entries in the latest contest-go-round. Look upon their works, ye mighty...and go, "Wow!":

DON'T TALK ABOUT THE RAINBOW by Margot White - Action/Drama

MICHAEL DIVINE – IN LIMBO by Elaine F Chekich - Action/Drama

OFFSEASON by Mary Conroy - Sitcom

SERENDIPITY SISTERS by Christiana Miller - Action/Drama

STILL IN SCHOOL by Ron Basso - Sitcom

STRAIT FROM THE SOURCE by Luke Kalteux - Action/Drama

TAFFY by Hank Isaac - Action/Drama

THE FOURTH WALL by Ian Taylor - Action/Drama

THE PRIZE PIG ADVENTURE by Luke Kalteux & Michael Carlson - Children's Show

TRIPLE THREAT by Kevin Thomas - Action/Drama

YOU DON'T KNOW JACK by Amy Coombs - Sitcom

Congratulations, everyone! WINNERS will be up any day now!

April 23, 2009

17th PEOPLE'S PILOT SEMI-FINALISTS

That's right. We gotcher Semi-Finalists right here, folks. A group of outstanding pilot scripts that any network would be proud to have commissioned, bought, and - most importantly - paid for. Look at these names closely. They belong to fine writers who have the potential to change the face of TV:

COME-BACK by Barbara Gaillard - Action/Drama

DON'T DANCE, JUST SPARKLE by Gavin Cruickshank - Sitcom

DON'T TALK ABOUT THE RAINBOW by Margot White – Action/Drama

LANEY OUT LOUD by Jen Klein - Action/Drama

MICHAEL DIVINE – IN LIMBO by Elaine F Chekich - Action/Drama

NARCO-LEPSY by Christopher Waylon Wyche - Other

OFFSEASON by Mary Conroy - Sitcom

SERENDIPITY SISTERS by Christiana Miller - Action/Drama

STAY THE COURSE by Keith Alan Eiler – Sitcom

STILL IN SCHOOL by Ron Basso - Sitcom

STRAIT FROM THE SOURCE by Luke Kalteux - Action/Drama

TAFFY by Hank Isaac – Action/Drama

THE BLACK TOWER by David R. Beshears - Action/Drama

THE EAGLE by Dorothy Jean Young - Action/Drama

THE FOURTH WALL by Ian Taylor - Action/Drama

THE PRIZE PIG ADVENTURE by Luke Kalteux & Michael Carlson - Children's Show

THE ZOMBIE KILLERS by Gerald Kielpinski - Action/Drama

TOMORROW by Andrew James Carter - Action/Drama

TRIPLE THREAT by Kevin Thomas – Action/Drama

UNKNOWN VARIABLES by Estee Williams - Action/Drama

YOU DON'T KNOW JACK by Amy Coombs - Sitcom

Congratulations, everyone! And don't forget to check back early next week for the FINALISTS!

April 14, 2009

SEMI-FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON

Semi-Finalists in the most recent running of the PEOPLE'S PILOT will be announced next week, with Finalists and Winners following closely. Because - you know - the suspense is killing us here at TVWriter.Com too. So COME BACK SOON!

March 17, 2009

17th PEOPLE'S PILOT STATISTICS

THE 17th PEOPLE'S PILOT, which closed March 1 ("only" a month after its original closing date thanks to the Big Southern Ice Storm of '09), has 89 entries. Of those entries, only 10 were hard copies. The rest were all web uploads.

This is a significant number of entries because this is the first time the contest has required full pilot teleplays and not merely series proposals and #17 received almost 50% more entries than #16. There's a message here somewhere.

March 1, 2009

17th PEOPLE'S PILOT IS CLOSED

The good news is that TVWriter.Com's world is returning to normal. The not-so-good news (for some) is that we've run out of need for extensions of the entry period. This means that THE PEOPLE'S PILOT is now closed to entries but will re-open with a whole new running on May 1st.

February 9, 2009

17th PEOPLE'S PILOT DEADLINE EXTENDED AGAIN TO MARCH 1st

It's Emergency Extension Time, gang. Our emergency. The Big Ice Storm That Immobilized the South the last week in January caught TVWriter.Com tightly in its grip. The result is that our headquarters, Cloud Creek Ranch, went without electricity, power, internet, et al for 10 full days, and the power situation still is unsteady because although the storm is long over its effects remain: Not a day goes by without new trees, power lines, and/or power posts falling.

As a result, we're embarrassingly behind on checking in both online and snail-mailed entries. Don't worry. All online material is safely located on servers in sunny California, and snail-mail entries are piled up nicely in the entryway. But our crisis is your gain. To give us time to dig out both physically and electronically, the new deadling (and, man, do we hope it's the last one) for THE PEOPLE'S PILOT is March 1st.

What's that you said? Why, you're absolutely right. You don't have any excuses now for not entering. So don't just sit there - WRITE!

January 26, 2009

17th PEOPLE'S PILOT DEADLINE EXTENDED

By popular demand (a veritable inundation of requests), the deadline for the current PEOPLE'S PILOT has been extended to February 7, 2009.

Well, why're you sitting there reading this? WRITE!!!

November 3, 2008

YOUR FEEDBACK IS COMING

That's right. Our fearless leader, LARRY BRODY, is hard at it, working on the Feedback for those who ordered it for PP 16. E-mails chock full of constructive criticism should start arriving in about 10 days so watch your inboxes closely!

November 1, 2008

17th PEOPLE'S PILOT IS OPEN

...And we've made a Very Big Change! In fact, we've altered our founding concept - because of the overwhelming number of requests from YOU, the entrants to the PP.

In the past, the PP has been a contest for series concepts. Write up a proposal. Enter it. Period. But over the years we've been inundated with e-mails from writers wanting to enter their fully written spec pilot scripts...somewhere.

A few years back, in order to accomodate these requests, our sister contest, the SPEC SCRIPTACULAR chose to accept pilot scripts in its original MOW category. At first, this worked smoothly, but in the past couple of years a few flies have gotten stuck in the ointment.

For one thing, people have been sending fewer and fewer series proposals and more and more pilot scripts to the PEOPLE'S PILOT. We've turned over all of the scripts to the SS, where they've been judged as part of that particular contest, but the result has been a significant reduction of entries here in the PP.

For another thing, it's been seeming more and more unfair to have spec pilots compete against spec screenplays. Not unfair to the pilots, believe it or not, but to the screenplays. Because for some reason the quality of the pilots has been head and shoulders above that of recently entered screenplays. With the screenplays seemingly relegated to also-rans, the number of them entered has fallen dramatically. We're hoping that with pilots no longer in the mix, more writers will have the confidence to enter their top screenplays and that category will bloom again.

One more reason for turning the PEOPLE'S PILOT into a pilot script contest: That's the name! PEOPLE'S PILOT. Not "People's Series Concept," or whatever. Although our intentions were honorable, we haven't been living up to our name. The time to change that is now.

So that's the story. If you've written a spec pilot script for a sitcom, drama, action show, kid's show, reality series, game show, variety show (yes, they use scripts!), we want to reward you for it. And if you've also got a terrific series proposal, hey, feel free to send that along as well because proposals will be considered if/when the judges find themselves in tie-breaking situations and in need of some guidance regarding where they should go.

We repeat: The PEOPLE'S PILOT, TVWriter.Com's flagship writing competition, is now open. Our warmest welcome to all those who enter here.

September 6, 2004

PEOPLE'S PILOT ENTRY TIPS

As the 9th PEOPLE'S PILOT gets underway, changing conditions in the Industry mean that the ways of getting a new series on the air - and winning a contest designed to recognize you for your ability to create a popular series - have changed as well. The PEOPLE'S PILOT and TVWriter.Com offer the following tips:

Make sure that your series proposal is as well-written, clear, and concise as it can possibly be. Keep it short and remember that the logline is the single most important aspect of your pitch. If your opening sentence and paragraph don't hook the buyer or the agent or the judges, odds are that what follows isn't going to make a big enough impression to counteract this.

Make sure your series is as specific as possible. One of the most common complaints from buyers, agents and judges is that the material they receive is too generic. No matter how interesting a concept is, if it's "just like" several series already on the air it is not going to sell or get you representation or win. As a new creator you need to invidualize your work, to emphasize its uniqueness.

For a drama or sitcom the most important elements will always be the lead characters. Make sure they are unique and interesting individuals with personalities that leap off the page.

In your proposal, be sure and tell the reader exactly what types of problems and situations your characters will encounter and what the format for presenting these situations will be every week.

Think "cutting edge." With over 500 niche cable stations, your series stands the best chance of succeeding if it zeroes in on a specific niche that is currently not being served - or not being served properly - by existing programming. Reality series, lifestyle series, game shows, etc. need to cater to the interests of a specific audience, but when you sit down to write assume that audience has "seen it all" and think of ways to spin your concept so that it is more than just a dry rehash.

Yes, we here at the PEOPLE'S PILOT know that much of the original series programming we see on television doesn't seem original at all. That there are many rehashes and copycats. But for you to be "discovered" you have to rise above that. When television programmers want the old and tried and true they go to those who have given them that kind of material before. To make a splash, you need to be unique and original in outlook and execution. Think of your series idea as "thriller" fiction, conceived and written so that the reader has to turn every page. In the long run being fresh and exciting is always the best policy because it makes the buyers and agents and judges take notice, and that notice is what can make your career.

The rewards for a successful series are large, and they go to those who work the hardest. We know you can do it. Your work as it stands has already shown that. Explore every aspect of your idea. Find the most creative and original way of presenting it. Now dig in and - write!

Cloud Creek Institute For The Arts, TVWriter.Com & WriteSafe.Com thank and congratulate everyone who entered. Don't forget to check back here in two weeks, on July 22nd, to see who the Finalists will be.

April 6, 2004

PEOPLE'S PILOT WINNER TELLS WHAT WINNING HAS MEANT

KEVIN SIELKY, winner of the 7th PEOPLE'S PILOT has this to say about what's been happening in his life since:

"Just want to drop you a note regarding my call to Cosgrove/Muerer regarding "Psych Ward Chronicles." After your email reply, I did call them and spoke with Diane initially, who put me through to Linda Berman's office, but she was not in.

"After bouncing back to Diane, I told her about my contest placing and that I would like the opportunity to drop off the show presentation and pilot teleplay for their consideration when I am in L.A. next week. She mentioned they don't usually consider outside submissions but because they have worked with you before, she said to call her when I arrive in L.A. next week and she welcomed me to drop my material off with them.

"I didn't push for a meeting or anything, not sure if I should have, but she was much more positive than I expected. She congratulated me a few times on my placing, and closed by asking for my contact info of where I will be staying in L.A., so I left it at that. I am sure it was a pretty standard reply by the "gatekeeper" there, but I took it as an open door for me to work my way in.

"I want to say thanks for your encouraging reply, because it is obvious that when I mentioned the contest placing and that it was your contest, the door opened up (particularly when she heard your name). BTW...I only mentioned your name as "Larry Brody's People's Pilot contest." To be honest, that was all it took. ;)"

Thanks, Kevin. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

May 8, 2003

PEOPLE'S PILOT FINALIST SELLS SERIES

Mark Teitelman, whose series concept, SHARK ATTACK, was a finalist in the 5th PEOPLE'S PILOT, has sold a sports reality series, GOT GAME, to Spike TV (formerly TNN) and has been signed as Co-Executive Producer. Last month Mark won a Sports Emmy for writing and directing the Outstanding Open/Tease. Congratulations on these rewards for all your hard work, Mark! (And Larry Brody wants to let you know that SHARK ATTACK was pretty darn good too!)

November 8, 2002

PEOPLE'S PILOT TIPS

The success of the new WB schedule proves it: High Concept works. Come up with a series idea so simple that it can be described in one pithy, well-chosen sentence that makes anyone who hears it say, "Damn! I wish I'd thought of that!" and you'll have a winner- in this contest and with the networks. Ditto if you can create a "brand," that is, if your idea is so compelling that spinoffs into other arenas - such as toys - seem inevitable. A successful series combines art with commerce - seamlessly.

December 14, 2000

JUDGING CRITERIA

Many people have inquired about the criteria being used for this competition. In the biz itself, development execs are always trying to second-guess the programmers at the various networks and cable channels, and this often leads to a watering down of quality and the look of sameness that so many of us object to.

We at the People's Pilot are professionals primarily interested in selling the winning series. However, we refuse to lower our personal standards in order to do so. That would defeat the whole point of the competition, which is to present the grass roots ideas that the biz so desperately needs if it is to survive amid all the new entertainment competition.

Therefore, in addition to asking "Can we sell this?" we have another criterion--our own taste. What do we like? What do we want to see? What can we believe in enough to go through the arduous development and placement process with the necessary enthusiasm to see it through to the end?

For the People's Pilot, talent, originality, and uniqueness definitely count!