A strong pitch is key to selling a show, which is why TV writers put so much effort into preparing them. Now they want to get paid for the process — and increasingly, they are. In a trend that started after the pandemic and became more widespread after the 2023 WGA strike, many writers are earning a fee ranging from $5K-$25K to develop a pitch for a series.
Traditionally, production companies and studios make “if come” deals with writers for a project. Those agreements guarantee them a script fee, typically in the low six figures, which is paid only if the project sells. Writers spend time to prepare what is referred to as “development material,” which they use during the pitch meetings to better present their vision for the series. But all of that work can end with disappointment if the pitch doesn't persuade a buyer.
A marked slowdown in script sales has prompted many writers to put more work into pitches to make them stand out and boost their chances of success. And, with overall deals also drying up and staffing jobs harder to find amid a decline in U.S.-made original scripted series in the post-Peak TV era, writers are looking for any way to get paid. >>>Pitching Now A Higher-Risk Proposition |
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Skydance Strikes Back - Skydance Media is demanding that Paramount Global stop considering a proposal by an investor group led by Edgar Bronfman Jr. to buy control of the company, threatening to withdraw its own merger offer. >>>Letter From Lawyers
Studio For Sale - The Castaic Studios in Santa Clarita, north of LA, is in the final stages of being sold to producer and filmmaker Carl Jackson of Carl Jackson Studios. >>>70,000 Sq. Ft.
'Medium Cool' And The Lessons Of '68 - The lessons of Haskell Wexler's Medium Cool seemed relevant this week as history threatened to repeat itself in Chicago. As in 1968, the chaos at the Democratic convention would be triggered by an overseas conflict – Gaza now, Vietnam then. But the police this week showed they’d learned from the bitter lessons of ’68, when violence jeopardized the political process and the election itself. >>> Peter Bart's Column
Leaving A Legacy - Networks in the U.S. and UK are determined to create a "legacy of change" through their coverage of the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris. Channel 4 and NBC will likely be showing more than 1,000 hours of live sport between August 28-September 8. The challenge is reaching parity with the Olympics. >>>"A Long Way To Go" |
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In an interview with Deadline, Noomi Rapace teased elements of her upcoming project Mother, in which she will play a certain revered and “complex” Catholic saint. The Swedish star, who is currently serving as a jury member at the Sarajevo Film Festival, has been prepping for the indie project with director Teona Strugar Mitevska and remarked that in between watching films at the festival, she’s also “reading a lot about” Mother Teresa. >>>Read The Interview |
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Exclusive
Emmy Award winner Matthew Rhys has joined the cast of Netflix's The Beast in Me, the mystery thriller project, created, written and executive-produced by Gabe Rotter. He joins previously announced Claire Danes who, in addition to starring, will also EP.
Exclusive
Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin) is joining Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser in Working Title and Studiocanal‘s upcoming D-Day movie Pressure.
Exclusive
Power's Omari Hardwick has signed on to star in No Right Way, a new drama to be co-written and directed by Golden Globe, Emmy and NAACP Image Award winner Anthony Hemingway.
USA Network's The Rainmaker has added P.J. Byrne (Babylon) to its series regular cast alongside John Slattery, Milo Callaghan, Lana Parrilla and Madison Iseman. |
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More News 🤝 Michael Angelo Covino has closed to deal to direct and star in Splitsville, a new comedy for Neon and Topic Studios. Others in the cast will include Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona (Hit Man), and Covino’s fellow writer, producer and star of The Climb, Kyle Marvin, with whom he wrote the script.
✂️ Match of the Day and The One Show star Jermaine Jenas has been removed from the BBC‘s presenting team amid reports of inappropriate behavior.
🏆 The Traitors, Squid Game: The Challenge and Mr Bates vs the Post Office were among the big winners at the Edinburgh TV Festival Awards last night. |
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On the Radar
Fri - Real Time returns
Sat - College football season starts
Mon - U.S. Open begins
Tue - Only Murders in the Building S4 premiere
Wed - Venice Film Festival kicks off
Thu - Rings of Power S2 debuts |
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DNC Reunion - As Kerry Washington emceed the final night of the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, she was joined a presidential guest. The Emmy winner reunited onstage with her Scandal co-star Tony Goldwyn in honor of Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris. |
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