The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Captivating Pitch Bible
So, you've got a fantastic idea for a TV show, animated series, or web series. You know your concept is fresh, your characters are engaging, and your storylines will keep viewers glued to their screens. But how do you convince producers and studios to share your vision? The answer: create a compelling pitch bible.
In this blog post, we'll delve deep into the world of pitch bibles and explore the importance of this vital document in selling your ideas.
What is a Pitch Bible?
A pitch bible is a comprehensive document that outlines your show's concept, characters, and story. It serves as a blueprint for your show and helps producers, studio owners, and other decision-makers understand your vision.
A well-crafted pitch bible can mean the difference between your show getting picked up or left on the shelf. So, let's dive in and learn how to create a winning pitch bible that sells!
1. The Concept: Craft a Log Line and Show Synopsis
Your pitch bible should begin with a robust and concise log line that captures the essence of your show. This one or two-sentence summary should be intriguing and make your reader want to learn more.
Next, you'll need a more detailed show synopsis that overviews your show's plot, setting, and tone. This is where you'll describe the world your characters inhabit, the story's genre (e.g., comedy, action-adventure, drama), and the major plot points that drive the narrative.
2. The Characters: Create Engaging Main, Supporting, and Other Characters
A show's success often hinges on its characters, so your pitch bible should dedicate ample space to introducing your main characters.
This section should provide an overview of each character's personality, background, and motivation. Remember to include concept art, key art, or other images to represent your characters visually.
Next, detail your supporting characters and other characters. These characters help flesh out your story and provide depth to your main characters' lives. Remember, well-rounded supporting characters can often be the key to a great story.
3. The Episodes: Outline Pilot Episode, Episode Ideas, and Story Springboards
Now that you've established your show's concept and characters, it's time to delve into the episodes. Start by outlining your pilot episode.
The pilot episode synopsis below should introduce your main characters and the show's central conflict, setting the stage for the rest of the series.
Next, provide a list of episode ideas that showcase the kinds of stories your show will explore. Include episode synopses or episode synopses for a few sample episodes to demonstrate the tone and structure of your series.
Additionally, incorporate story springboards – brief, open-ended story ideas that can be expanded upon by your writing team or the studio.
4. The Story: Explain How the Story Progresses and the Major Turning Points
A compelling pitch bible should also illustrate how your show's story progresses over time. Describe your series's beginning, middle, and end, detailing the major plot points and turning points that shape the narrative.
This section of the pitch deck should give readers a sense of the show's overall arc and how the characters will develop and change over time.
5. The Audience: Identify Your Target Audience and Marketability
No show exists in a vacuum, and producers want to know there's an audience for your series.
Identify your target audience in your pitch bible and explain why your show will resonate with them. Outline how your show fills a market gap or offers a fresh take on a beloved genre.
Demonstrate that there's an appetite for the kind of stories you're telling.
6. The Art: Showcase Your Concept Art, Key Art, and Images
Visuals play a crucial role in your pitch bible. High-quality concepts and key art can help bring your words to life and show potential buyers exactly what your show will look like.
Whether you're creating an animation or a live-action series, your visuals should capture the tone and style of your show.
Additionally, sprinkle relevant images throughout your pitch bible to create a visually compelling pitch document. Remember, your pitch bible isn't just a written document – it's a visual presentation of your creative vision.
7. The Extras: Consider Including a One Page Pitch, Pitch Materials, and Episode Ideas
While your pitch bible will be the cornerstone of your presentation to producers and studio owners, consider creating additional pitch materials to supplement your bible.
A one-page pitch can be a quick and effective way to summarize your concept and pique interest. Also, consider including additional episode ideas and story springboards to give a sense of the breadth and depth of your series.
8. The Pitch: Sell Your Idea
Finally, remember that your pitch bible is a sales tool. It aims to sell your idea to people who can turn your vision into reality. Be passionate, enthusiastic, and confident in your presentation.
Show that you believe in your project and are committed to making it successful. With a well-crafted pitch bible, you're not just selling an idea; you're selling a whole series, an original series that could be the next big thing!
Conclusion
Creating a pitch bible can seem like a daunting task. Still, with careful planning, creativity, and passion, you can craft a document that showcases your vision and captures potential buyers' imagination.
Remember to focus on your concept, characters, and story and to present your ideas clearly and engagingly.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the world of TV and animation, a pitch bible is an essential tool in your creative arsenal. So, get those creative juices flowing, let your ideas shine, and start crafting a pitch bible to make your project stand out. Good luck!
And remember: even if you're just a team of one, with a clear pitch bible, you can sell an idea that has the power to captivate a world of viewers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pitch Bibles
Why do I need a pitch bible?
A pitch bible is essential for pitching your show idea to potential investors or studios.
It helps them understand your vision for the show, including its characters, storylines, tone, and visual aesthetic. A well-crafted pitch bible can be instrumental in getting your show picked up for production.
What should a pitch bible include?
A pitch bible should include the following key elements:
Logline: A one or two-sentence summary of the show.
Show synopsis: A detailed overview of the show's concept and plot.
Character descriptions: Detailed descriptions of the main, supporting, and other characters.
Episode ideas and synopses: Brief outlines of potential episodes, including a detailed synopsis for the pilot episode.
Story progression: An overview of the show's overall arc and significant plot points.
Target audience: A description of who the show is aimed at and why it will resonate with them.
Art and visuals: Concept art, key art, and images representing the show's visual aesthetic.
How long should a pitch bible be?
The length of a pitch bible can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the show and the requirements of the studio or investor you're pitching to.
However, a typical pitch bible can range from 10 to 50 pages. Remember, clarity and quality are more important than length.
Can I include concept art in my pitch bible?
Absolutely! Including concept art, key art, and other visual elements can help bring your show's concept and characters to life, making your pitch bible more engaging and visually appealing.
Who should I show my pitch bible to?
Your pitch bible is designed to be shown to potential investors, producers, and studios. However, you might also offer it to potential collaborators, such as writers, directors, and artists, to help them understand your vision for the show.
How can I make my pitch bible stand out?
Making your pitch bible stand out involves a combination of a unique, compelling concept, well-developed characters, engaging storylines, and high-quality art and visuals.
Also, ensuring that your pitch bible is well-organized, professionally presented, and error-free can make a big difference.
What if my show doesn't fit the typical format outlined in my pitch bible?
That's okay! While a pitch bible serves as a blueprint for your show, it's not set in stone. The most important thing is that your pitch bible effectively conveys your unique vision for the show.
If your show is unconventional or breaks the mold somehow, embrace that and make it a selling point in your pitch bible.
Can I create a pitch bible for a feature film?
While pitch bibles are more commonly associated with television and web series, you can create a pitch bible for a feature film.
The key elements remain the same: concept, characters, story arc, and visual aesthetics. However, the focus is on a single, self-contained story rather than episodic content.
Do I need a writing team to create a pitch bible?
While having a team can certainly help - especially when brainstorming ideas and refining content - it's not necessary.
Solo writers have created many successful pitch bibles, and what's important is that you can effectively convey your vision for the project, whether you're working alone or as part of a team.
How detailed should the character descriptions be?
Character descriptions should be detailed enough to give a clear sense of the character's personality, motivations, and role in the story.
This often includes their backstory, relationships with other characters, and key character development arcs across the series.
What's the difference between a pitch bible and a series bible?
While the two terms are often used interchangeably, there can be a difference. A pitch bible is used to sell your show and typically includes the show concept, characters, and a few episode summaries.
A series bible, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive document used during production. It includes detailed character bios, episode scripts, and guidelines on the show's tone, style, and world-building.
Can I use a pitch bible to pitch a reality TV show?
Yes, pitch bibles can be used to pitch reality TV shows. The format may be slightly different - focusing more on the show's format, episode structure, and potential participants - but the purpose is the same: to sell the concept of your show.
How can I protect my ideas when pitching with a pitch bible?
While it's natural to be concerned about idea theft, it's important to remember that ideas cannot be copyrighted.
However, the way ideas are expressed - including in your pitch bible - can be. If you're concerned about protecting your work, consider registering it with a reputable copyright organization before pitching.
What happens after I submit my pitch bible?
After submitting your pitch bible, it's usually a waiting game. The studio or production company will review your proposal and decide if they're interested.
If they are, you'll likely be invited to pitch in person, where you'll have the opportunity to discuss further and sell your concept. Remember, persistence and patience are key in the pitching process.
