PEOPLE'S PILOT COMPETITION

TV NEEDS YOUR IDEAS NOW MORE THAN EVER!

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

May 1, 2008

The 16th PEOPLE'S PILOT IS NOW OPEN

You've got a 3-month window in which to enter. (Entries close August 1.) Time now to get crackin' on your best TV ideas.

And, before you start writing, check out the new prize! Manner Movie Ltd of Hong Kong joins Cloud Creek Institute For The Arts, TV Writer.Com, WriteSafe.Com, Final Draft Software, and Screenwriter Showcase.Com in sponsoring the PEOPLE'S PILOT, and what a sponsorship it is: A 3 night vacation in Hong Kong, including round trip flight from L.A., for the winner, or $1000 in U.S. money for the First Prize Winner!

Welcome aboard, Manner Movie Ltd, and thanks!

April 25, 2008

15th PEOPLE'S PILOT WINNERS

The past is prologue for this, the Big News of the Competition. The judges have considered - and argued - and considered some more, and the winners of the 15th PEOPLE'S PILOT COMPETITION are:

First Prize--I.O.U. 1 SOUL by Cassandra Hennessey - Sitcom

Second Prize--SPACEBOUND by Brett McArdle - Action/Drama

Third Prize--TVNEWS by Kevin Stern - Sitcom

Runners-Up:

1st Runner-Up--PRISON WORLD by Jeremiah D. Owens - Action/Drama

2nd Runner-Up--BURLINGTON VINES by Jeffrey Poehlmann - Action/Drama

Congratulations, WINNERS and RUNNERS-UP! The judges truly enjoyed reading your work and wish you the best of luck with it, and with your careers, as do all of us at THE PEOPLE'S PILOT COMPETITION, TV WRITER.COM, WRITESAFE.COM, and CLOUD CREEK INSTITUTE FOR THE ARTS.

You'll be hearing from us soon regarding your prizes!

April 14, 2008

15th PEOPLE'S PILOT FINALISTS

The battle rages in earnest now, as the judges sweat and strain to hone in on their choices. All we can say is that cutting to the Top 9 has been so very, very difficult that we can't even imagine how tough it's going to be to pick the winners.

The most excellent FINALISTS in the 15th PEOPLE'S PILOT Competition are:

BURLINGTON VINES by Jeffrey Poehlmann - Action/Drama

DEADBEAT by Phil Duncan - Action/Drama

DESTINY'S DAUGHTER by Anthony Sunderland - Action/Drama

I.O.U. 1 SOUL by Cassandra Hennessey - Sitcom

PRISON WORLD by Jeremiah D. Owens - Action/Drama

SHADOW PEAK by Skip Berry & J. Vale Newton - Action/Drama

SPACEBOUND by Brett McArdle - Action/Drama

TVNEWS by Kevin Stern - Sitcom

YOUNG HOLLYWOOD by Tania Krajewski - Action/Drama

Yayyyyy!!!!!

Next Week: The WINNERS!

April 9, 2008

15th PEOPLE'S PILOT SEMI-FINALISTS

Yep, it's that time again. The judges have finally managed to narrow the entries in the most recent running of the PEOPLE'S PILOT to a list of SEMI-FINALISTS, any one of which could - in our humble opinion - be a hit on broadcast or cable TV right now.

Entries were up a bit this time, so competition was a little steeper. And we were surprised to learn that the current hot item for aspiring television developers is - wait for it - deals with the devil. We received several fascinating entries with that theme, leading to the not-so-musical question: What's going on in society to cause creative types to turn their thoughts in this direction?

On second thought, we'd rather not know.

On third thought, we probably already do know - and would rather not.

But we digress. Time to get back on point. The SEMI-FINALISTS are:

2ND DEGREE SOCIETY by Robert "Bo" Belanger & Matthew Lynch - Sitcom

BURLINGTON VINES by Jeffrey Poehlmann - Action/Drama

DEADBEAT by Phil Duncan - Action/Drama

DESTINY'S DAUGHTER by Anthony Sunderland - Action/Drama

I.O.U. 1 SOUL by Cassandra Hennessey - Sitcom

INTO GAMES by Charles Sparks Eyler - Sitcom

LOVE MUSIC... WILL TRAVEL by Mike Bond - Reality/Variety

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER by Benjamin A. Chohon - Sitcom

PORTICO by Michael William Beazel -Action/Drama

PRISON WORLD by Jeremiah D. Owens - Action/Drama

SHADOW PEAK by Skip Berry & J. Vale Newton - Action/Drama

SPACEBOUND by Brett McArdle - Action/Drama

TAKEOVER by Gregory Terlecki - Action/Drama

TOTALLY CASEY by Chris Cheasty - Sitcom

TVNEWS by Kevin Stern - Sitcom

YOUNG HOLLYWOOD by Tania Krajewski - Action/Drama

Congratulations to one and all. Don't forget to check back next week for the FINALISTS!

April 7, 2008

WINNERS' COUNTDOWN BEGINS THIS WEEK

What more can we say? In the next day or two we'll be announcing the Semi-Finalists in the 15th PEOPLE'S PILOT. In the words of our favorite Hawaiian Cop: "Be there."

February 7, 2008

15th PEOPLE'S PILOT IS NOW CLOSED

The 15th PEOPLE's PILOT is now closed, although we're patiently waiting for the last-minute mail-in entries to arrive. When they do, we'll post an update on submissions, categories, all that chazzarai...and maybe we'll even be able to guestimate when the Winners will be announced.

Thanks, all, for your entries - and your comments as well!

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 TV Writer.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, TV Writer.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!