Pilot under "discussion" at cable net

[Nashrambler]

My pilot has been pitched and requested at a cable net. it's a sitcom -- my first. i've been in the biz for over 30 years on the crew/directing side and have little exp with series development.

I hope I can get a bit of a road map here -- a "what you can expect" response. They've had it for a month and will "discuss It" this week together. if they want to move forward, what would they offer me? I assume an option. If they are WGA sigs, then some $$, too. If not that, then what?


Any info is appreciated!
Thanks,

Nash

[artisone]

When you say requested, do you mean they bought the pitch and you'll be writing the pilot?

[Nashrambler]

Sorry about the confusion. I mean that the pilot script was requested for review after I pitched it. They've had it for a month and will be discussion it at the net this week.

[artisone]

Here's the WGA schedule of minimums. Depending on the network, you might get the absolute minimum, or a little more.

http://www.wga.org/uploadedFiles/wri...ts/min2008.pdf

[Nashrambler]

Thanks, artisone. It would be great if they called and offered a deal right away, but my guess is they will want to do some intermediate "development" without pay. Or is it a choice for them of a deal and a check or a "no thanks"?

[artisone]

Originally Posted by Nashrambler

Thanks, artisone. It would be great if they called and offered a deal right away, but my guess is they will want to do some intermediate "development" without pay. Or is it a choice for them of a deal and a check or a "no thanks"?

They would not be able to develop without paying you (rewriting, etc.), at least in theory. They have to purchase your pilot first in order to develop it. After that they might sneak some free work from you.

[Nashrambler]

Thanks, artisone. I'm guessing, too, that they would prob. be looking to "partner" me with a prod co. they know and trust.

[MargoChanning]

First, good luck with the pilot.

Secondly, how in hell were you able to pitch directly to a cable network?
Was it to the VP of of Original Programming, or what?

I'm just very curious as these people are generally hard to get to directly.

Thanks in advance for your response.

[Nashrambler]

Originally Posted by smcguinn

First, good luck with the pilot.

Secondly, how in hell were you able to pitch directly to a cable network?
Was it to the VP of of Original Programming, or what?

I'm just very curious as these people are generally hard to get to directly.

Thanks in advance for your response.

I paid $200 to FadeIn magazine to pitch to 5 companies I chose from a list of participants-- prod co's and this network were available choices. The pitches were over Skype, form my semi-comfortable office in Nashville. I pitched this pilot and two ideas for features according to the BG I got on the web before the pitches. I was asked for more material by four of them, so, so far, so good.

[jimjimgrande]

that's amazing. you must pitch very well.

I hope they buy it , even though it means I will have to eat so many of my words about how the tv business works.