

Summary
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PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand; it is no longer live and the instructor is not available for personal questions, but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
Selling your TV show is one of the most thrilling yet challenging milestones in your career. Even if you’re not in the showrunner’s seat, knowing how to bring value to your project is crucial for capturing the attention of networks and streamers. In this four-part Stage 32 class, you’ll learn how to shape a compelling concept, find the perfect balance between creativity and commercial appeal, and attract the right team to bring your vision to life. You’ll also dive into creating a series bible, structuring your show, and communicating your passion—key elements that make your pitch stand out!
But many creatives run into roadblocks when it comes to making their show marketable. Failing to develop a clear plan for the series bible, a well-structured pitch deck, or not knowing how to attract key attachments like a showrunner or producer are some of the most common mistakes. Without these critical elements, even a great concept can struggle to get noticed. This class will dive deep into these challenges, helping you avoid these pitfalls and giving you the tools to confidently sell your show and assemble the right team.
Your Stage 32 educator, Todd Slavkin is a seasoned showrunner, writer, and producer with decades of experience on shows like Smallville and Shadowhunters Todd has navigated the complexities of creating, developing, and pitching hit TV series, making him the perfect guide to teach you how to package your project for success. His expertise will help you master the business side of the process while ensuring your creative vision remains front and center.
Over four comprehensive sessions, you’ll tackle everything from developing your concept and refining your characters to crafting a strong series bible and creating an engaging pitch deck. You’ll also explore how to gather key attachments like writers, showrunners, and producers to strengthen your pitch. By the end of this class, you’ll have a complete toolkit for selling your TV show, along with the confidence to take your project to the next level!
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live, but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
PLUS! You'll receive:
- Weekly guided assignments
- Series bible template
- Pitch deck outline
- Examples from Todd’s own projects to help keep you on track
Praise For Todd's Teaching
"Todd's experience and expertise shine through. If you've ever wanted to be a showrunner on a TV series then learn all you can from him." -- Rahime B.
"I never realized how much fell on the showrunner before working with Todd. He's a fantastic educator!" - Meg L.
What You'll Learn
Session One: Exploring Your Concept
• Introductions: Todd’s story, your story
• Finding Your Idea
• Already have an idea? Let’s refine it
• Still searching for an idea? How do you discover it
• Balancing commerce and creativity
• Is your series ongoing or limited
• Connecting personally to your story
• What does it mean to you
• Why passion matters
• Are you truly connected to your characters
• How well do you know them
• The power of specificity
• Breaking down your scenes
• Identifying key moments
• Structuring your story clearly
• Organizing with index cards
Assignment: submit your idea or several ideas in three sentences or less
To Read: sample log-lines from Todd’s pilots
Session Two: Refining Your Materials
• Mastering your script
• What’s the rewriting process like
• Keys to finalizing your script
• Creating your series bible
• What should you include for season one
• What should you include for the series
• Important elements for each episode
• Pitching your show
• What should be included in each type of pitch
• The 30-second version (the elevator pitch)
• The 20-minute meeting version
• Building your pitch deck
• What to include and how to include it
• You don’t need to be a designer
Assignment: create a pitch deck for your show
To Read: various pitch decks including The Mysterious Benedict Society
Session Three: Gathering Attachments
• Finding a writer
• How do you attract a writer
• What can you offer them
• Aligning with a showrunner
• Why alignment matters
• Staying involved and what that looks like
• Choosing the right producer
• Writer-producer vs non-writing producer
• Do they have deals with streamers or networks
• Attaching a director
• When do you need to attach a director
• What are the pros and cons
To Read: scripts from sold pilots, choose from your genre
Session Four: Building Your Team and Selling Your Show
• Why charm and flattery are your superpowers unless you have money Flattery gets you everywhere
• How to research credits and compliment people in a genuine way
• Mastering the art of cold emails
• How to effectively connect via social media
• Getting management companies and agencies to pay attention
• Nailing your pitch meeting with the buyer
• Q&A with Todd
Assignment: sell your project!
WHAT TO EXPECT:
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This class is designed for all aspiring TV creators and filmmakers looking to sell their show.
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This class consists of 4 sessions roughly two hours in duration and offers significantly more in-depth content than a standard Stage 32 webinar.
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand; it is no longer live and the instructor is not available for personal questions, but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
Who Should Attend
- Aspiring TV creators and filmmakers looking to sell their show
- Directors and producers seeking to enhance their pitching skills
- Writers developing a series concept and building a series bible
- Creatives looking to attract key attachments like showrunners and producers
- Independent filmmakers aiming to create a professional pitch deck
- Emerging showrunners who want to understand the selling process
- Content creators hoping to pitch their digital series to major platforms
- Producers looking to deepen their knowledge of series development
- Anyone with an idea for a TV show unsure of how to take the next steps
Executive

Todd Slavkin is a seasoned showrunner and producer with over three decades of experience in television. He has worked alongside his longtime friend and writing partner, Darren Swimmer, to create some of the most beloved shows across various genres. Todd's impressive portfolio includes being a driving force behind iconic series like SMALLVILLE and SHADOWHUNTERS, which won multiple awards including the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series and several People’s Choice Awards. Most recently, Todd has been recognized for his work on THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY, earning four Emmy nominations.
Throughout his career, Todd has developed pilots for major networks including ABC, NBC, FOX, SYFY, FREEFORM, and The CW. He was the co-showrunner for MELROSE PLACE 2.0 and contributed to a variety of other successful series such as NO ORDINARY FAMILY, ALPHAS, DEFIANCE, DOMINION, and GUILT. Todd's extensive experience in showrunning and producing has made him a respected figure in the industry, known for his ability to craft engaging stories and develop compelling characters.
He began his career in feature films, writing DARK REFLECTION and CONTROL, starring Ray Liotta, Willem Dafoe and Michelle Rodriguez.
Testimonials
Praise For Todd's Teaching
"Todd's experience and expertise shine through. If you've ever wanted to be a showrunner on a TV series then learn all you can from him." -- Rahime B.
"I never realized how much fell on the showrunner before working with Todd. He's a fantastic educator!" - Meg L.