AboutBarry Pearson Expertise I`m a credited writer on nine feature films. My latest movie, IRON ROAD, which stars Peter O'Toole and Sam Neill,is being offered to festivals. Sun Li, the Chinese star, won the best actress award at the Roma Fiction Fest recently. www.ironroadthemovie.com)
I`m also the writer of over 40 hours of television drama for major networks in North America, and I`m a producer of three feature films and over 50 hours of television prime time drama.
I've received Best Screenplay, Best Picture awards at international film festivals around the world.
I've been coaching screen and television writers in person, and on the internet, for over ten years, and I've answered over 1000 All Experts questions!
Experience I've been in the business of writing and producing feature
films, television series, and MOW's for over 20 years. You
can check me out at this URL
http://www.createyourscreenplay.com/aboutbp.htm
Question Hi Barry - I am writing on behalf of my son in order to assist him in bringing his work forward. Christopher is a graduate of a college film program and has written and filmed a 1/2 hour sitcom. He is now in a position to present this show to ?? networks? agents?? production companies ?? cable networks?? I would appreciate any advice and assistance you could provide that would allow Chris to take this next very important step. Also, does one hire an agent to present new works to networks etc.? I would be happy to assist him in this area. Thankyou for your kind attention. I hope to help Chris realize his lifeling dream
Regards - Pat
Chris is a lucky guy to have such a supportive parent as yourself. He'll need every edge he can get to break into this crazy business we call "media" these days.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of negative reality, but in my opinion, it's futile for a freelancer with no experience to dream of creating an idea for a television series. TV doesn't work that way. Not in the series game.
If Chris wants to write for television, he needs to write a number of "spec" scripts as calling cards, and then query to get permission to submit to a series, in the hope that the series will let him pitch an idea, and eventually write a script. It's a long, tough, game, and it works better if you live in Hollywood, New York, Toronto, or Vancouver--In that order. BTW to write for series produced in Canada, you usually need to be a Canadian Citizen, and the competition is tough there too, because there are fewer series to sell to.
The news is not all bad, however, so let me suggest some other avenues for Chris:
It could be that he has an idea which would be better done as a feature length film.
If the story features an extreme or startling concept at its center, it could be suited more to Feature Film Treatment. If the idea stresses a social issue more than extreme elements, it's more probably a TV MOW idea, particularly if it's based on a true story.
If the idea needs the broad sweep of the big screen, it may not be suited to television, unless it could be done as a miniseries (usually 4 to 8 hours in today's market).
Lastly, he should compare his idea to movies that have been in theaters over the last couple of years. Does his have similar ingredients which are unique and not derivative of "what's out there?" If not, then he might be better to try the MOW.
When trying to get an agent or looking for a producer to produce his work, he would be in much better shape if he had a movie or an MOW to show, so if he's looking to develop a career as a writer, best way is to write a feature script or a spec TV script, not an idea, or a pilot.
I wish Chris all the best of luck. If he has enough persistence, he will likely succeed sooner or later.
Barry
My Website Create Your Screenplay
www.createyourscreenplay.com
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