PEOPLE'S PILOT COMPETITION

TV NEEDS YOUR IDEAS NOW MORE THAN EVER!

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

November 1, 2011

21st PEOPLE'S PILOT OPENS WITH EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT

Yes, it's true. The PEOPLE'S PILOT is now open. The regular price for each PEOPLE'S PILOT entry is $40. But if you enter early and help make our judging - and our lives - a little easier, we're happy to knock that down by 25%, to $30.

The Early Bird Discount applies from November 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. As they used to say about voting in Chicago, enter early and often RIGHT HERE.

October 10, 2011

20th PEOPLE'S PILOT WINNERS

Here they are, the exceptionally talented writers who have made all of us at TVWriter.Com and our partner, Manner Movie Ltd., huge fans. The Winners of the 20th PEOPLE'S PILOT:

20th PEOPLE'S PILOT WINNERS
For contest ending July 1, 2011

First Prize--BODY & SOUL by Simmi Goyle - Action/Drama/Dramedy

Second Prize--ARMADILLOVILLE: RATTLED by Carol Shell Harris - Action/Drama/Dramedy

Third Prize--STILL IN SCHOOL by Ron Basso - Sitcom

Runners-Up

1st Runner-Up--CLAUDIA'S MOTHER by Gordon Phipps - Sitcom

2nd Runner-Up--AULD HAUNTS by Kestrel Wolgemuth - Sitcom

TVWriter.Com and Manner Movie Ltd believe great things are in store for everyone above. Don't let yourselves down!

Next week: The SPEC SCRIPTACULAR Winners.

November 1st: The PEOPLE'S PILOT and SPEC SCRIPTACULAR re-open for entries so we can have the great pleasure of doing this all over again.

September 26, 2011

20th PEOPLE'S PILOT FINALISTS

And now (because we can't think of a reason to stall any longer) here comes the next group to make the cut. Rejoice now, for ye be in the presence of the enlightened and enlightening Finalists in the 20th PEOPLE'S PILOT:

20th PEOPLE'S PILOT FINALISTS

ARMADILLOVILLE: RATTLED by Carol Shell Harris - Action/Drama/Dramedy

AULD HAUNTS by Kestrel Wolgemuth - Sitcom

BODY & SOUL by Simmi Goyle - Action/Drama/Dramedy

CLAUDIA'S MOTHER by Gordon Phipps - Sitcom

HOPE: A New Beginning by Corinna L. Mendis - Sitcom

MIDNIGHT CITY by Dan Levinson - Action/Drama/Dramedy

MISS AMERICA by Kerry Jen Lopez - Action/Drama/Dramedy

SORA AND THE BOY OF THE FUTURE PRESENT: by James L. Duprey – Children's Show

STILL IN SCHOOL by Ron Basso - Sitcom

We have one word for this Gang of Nine: "YAYYY!!!" Next week: The SPEC SCRIPTACULAR Finalists. And in two weeks: The PEOPLE'S PILOT Winners!

September 12, 2011

20th PEOPLE'S PILOT SEMI-FINALISTS

Here we go. The countdown to the Winners begins. And we're making the Semi-Finalists announcement only a few days later than we said we would. (Yes, that means we're busy right now giving ourselves a big hand.) Here they are, the ardent and highly qualified suitors for the 20th PEOPLE'S PILOT crown:

20th PEOPLE'S PILOT SEMI-FINALISTS

ARMADILLOVILLE: RATTLED by Carol Shell Harris - Action/Drama/Dramedy

AULD HAUNTS by Kestrel Wolgemuth - Sitcom

BODY & SOUL by Simmi Goyle - Action/Drama/Dramedy

CHALLENGERS by John Adcox - Action/Drama/Dramedy

CLAUDIA'S MOTHER by Gordon Phipps - Sitcom

DAYTIME DIVA: THOU SHALT OVERCOME by Donna Adams - Sitcom

FISHIN' WITH ANDY by Jeff Van Gonka - New Media

HOPE: A New Beginning by Corinna L. Mendis - Sitcom

MIDNIGHT CITY by Dan Levinson - Action/Drama/Dramedy

MISS AMERICA by Kerry Jen Lopez - Action/Drama/Dramedy

NIGHT CLAN: IDENTITY by Felicia C. Ansty - Action/Drama/Dramedy

RADIO by Derek Johnson - Action/Drama/Dramedy

SORA AND THE BOY OF THE FUTURE PRESENT: by James L. Duprey – Children's Show

STATIC by Keith Davidson - Action/Drama/Dramedy

STILL IN SCHOOL by Ron Basso - Sitcom

THE LAST STONE by Curtis James Gwinn - Action/Drama/Dramedy

There's no doubt about it. The PEOPLE'S PILOT consistently gets the best of the best as entries. This has been an extraordinary batch of pilots. Once again, every show on this list has the potential to be a successful TV series. Congratulations, everyone! And don't forget to check back in two weeks for the FINALISTS! (For that matter, why not pay a visit to http://specscriptacular.com next week for the Semi-Finalists in our sister contest, the SPEC SCRIPTACULAR? You won't be sorry.)

July 2, 2011

20th PEOPLE'S PILOT IS CLOSED

We've finally slammed the door shut and bolted it behind us. All the entries have been received and acknowledged. In fact, if you entered the most recent PEOPLE'S PILOT and haven't received your email thanking you and wishing you luck, please let us know.

This time around, we received 76 entries, with more than half of them in the Action/Drama/Dramedy category. We aren't sure what that means but know it must mean something. (Assuming this is a universe where everything means something...which, of course, is open to debate.) Our thanks to everyone who faced the blank page and had the courage to write, finish, and send off your baby. We promise to take care of it and send out the results as quickly as possible.

How Quickly? Well, the plan is to choose Semi-Finalists in September, followed by Finalists and Winners in October. Watch this space for future details!

July 25, 2010

THE PEOPLE'S PILOT IS BACK ON TRACK

Whew! Many of you may not know this, but our fearless leader, Larry Brody, suffered a heart attack, followed by quintuple bypass surgery, back in January, and in an operation as small as TVWriter.Com losing even one person can be catastrophic. The good news is that LB is doing fine and has returned to the fold.

This means that the show is going on and judging of both the SPEC SCRIPTACULAR and PEOPLE'S PILOT have begun. We'll be announcing Semi-Finalists and Finalists at the end of November of this year, and the Winners will be proclaimed in time for them to celebrate their victories on Christmas. TVWriter.Com, Cloud Creek Communications, Inc., and the PEOPLE'S PILOT apologize for the delay and its accompanying lack of communication. New channels have been opened and new assistants brought in to make sure this doesn't happen again.

Speaking of things that shouldn't have happened, it's come to our attention that the very last batch of contest entrants, way back in February, never received their acknowledgements. This calls for further apologies, and we're asking you to watch your e-mail in the coming week for the long-delayed missives. We'll also be e-mailing a more complete update to everyone on the TVWriter.Com e-mail list ASAP.

Thanks for your patience. Everyone here - especially LB - appreciates the warmth and consideration you've shown during this difficult time!

August 3, 2009

FORMER PEOPLE'S PILOT WINNER'S TESTIMONIAL

Today was a day when, in spite of the usual travails, it was wonderful to wake up in the morning. Mostly thanks to this e-mail we received from 17th PEOPLE'S PILOT winner Christiana Miller:

Thought you might be interested in this...

Because I won both your competitions, simultaneously...
Word started getting around...
And a showrunner I had recently run into at a party,
emailed me, to see if I was still unrepped.

Because I won both your competitions...
He emailed his rep. Repeatedly. And met with her...
So she read my scripts...
And I kept sending her updates...

Because I won your competitions...
It inspired a showrunner to take up my cause...
And his huge mega-corp management company,
[name withheld], called me in to meet with them.
And now his manager is repping both my scripts
and my novels.

And all of a sudden, I'm playing on an entirely different
playing field. I've gone from sand lot (writing for myself)
to majors (writing to be a player in the industry).

So who says that entering competitions is a waste of time? ;-)

One step leads to another and another and another. Keep your
fingers crossed that I can maximize this opportunity and turn
it into a career!

xoxo,
Tana

Heartfelt congratulations, Tana! You've earned this!

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!

November 1, 2008

THE BIG CHANGE HAS OCCURRED

How big? Well, 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!

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!