Selling a TV Show: Is Now the Right Moment?
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Chapter 1: The State of TV Show Sales
In the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood, the debate about whether it's a good time to sell a TV show hinges largely on one's perspective. Dan Kois of Salon posits that now might be an opportune moment, but his argument inadvertently underscores an enduring issue in the industry—Hollywood's aversion to original narratives.
Kois references a multitude of existing intellectual properties, such as books and real-life stories, while neglecting to acknowledge the value of original fictional works born from creative minds. The industry's shift toward familiar intellectual properties began years ago, propelled by the immense success of franchises like Marvel. This trend has escalated to the point where the majority of current productions are based on pre-existing cultural elements, even if they originate from obscure sources.
Consider this: does it truly matter whether a TV show is derived from an article in a prestigious publication or the imaginative efforts of a dedicated writer? Personally, I find myself leaning towards valuing the creativity of the latter.
Here's my perspective on the trend of adapting books, life stories, and even trivial items into screen material—it's not a flattering insight. Development executives, those tasked with evaluating potential projects, might not recognize a strong original story if it were to come directly to them. Up until the 1990s, Hollywood thrived on original content. Sure, adaptations existed, but there was a concerted effort to discover and cultivate new talent.
Today’s executives tend to be more aware of upcoming newspaper and magazine pieces than they are of fresh, original scripts. Even when they venture into original content, they often prefer established writers, thus turning the writer into a pre-existing entity that studios feel comfortable investing in.
Therefore, while it might seem like an appropriate moment to pitch a new TV series, this holds true only if you possess a unique idea.
PostScript: If you're interested in hearing about my own experiences in Hollywood, check out my piece, "Learn From My Screenwriting Fail," available here on Medium.
Section 1.1: The Shift in Industry Focus
The transition toward relying heavily on known properties raises questions about creativity in Hollywood. This section explores the implications of such a focus on pre-existing content.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Value of Original Stories
Section 1.2: The Role of Development Executives
Here, we delve into the responsibilities of development executives and their impact on the creative landscape of television.
Chapter 2: Evaluating the Market
In the first video titled "Investigating WHY These Properties Won't Sell | FULL EPISODES | The Unsellables | House to Home," the discussion revolves around the factors that hinder the sale of certain properties in the market, revealing insights into the entertainment industry.
The second video, "You Will NEVER Be Able to Sell Until You Know This...," emphasizes critical knowledge necessary for successfully navigating the complexities of selling in the entertainment sector, shedding light on common pitfalls.