Stage 32 8-Part Pitching Lab: Build Your TV Series Pitch With A Top Showrunner & Learn How To Sell Your Show

Only 3 Spots Still Available - Grab Your Spot Now!

Develop, perfect and practice your television series pitch with Emmy-nominated showrunner Todd Slavkin, the showrunner on hit series including SMALLVILLE, SHADOWHUNTERS, MELROSE PLACE 2.0, and most recently THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY!

***Flexible Learning: if you cannot attend any of the sessions live don't worry - you will be sent the links to the recordings of each session within 48 hours of the live session and you will have direct access to Todd on email to ask him any questions about your craft or career so you can keep up at your own pace and schedule.***

Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details

Pitching is an art and a business. If you want to successfully pitch and sell your television series, you not only need to create a standout show, but you need to build a world-class pitch and hone your pitching skills in order to seize the day and win the room. Everything from the structure of your pitch and the visuals in your pitch deck to your tone, voice, body language, and demeanor in the room (or on zoom) is crucial in having a successful pitch.

In this interactive Stage 32 8-week pitching lab, you will work directly with veteran television/film writer and top showrunner Todd Slavkin to build your professional TV series pitch and, ultimately, pitch your project to Todd to receive high-level feedback on your work. Todd will teach you the art and craft of pitching and selling your television project to producers, studios and networks/streamers while you build your market ready pitch so you are armed for success.

Todd's experiences showrunning series for Disney, The CW, ABC, and more have provided him with an arsenal of showrunning tools that he will share with you to prepare you and your pitch for the marketplace. Todd has worked in all different kinds of genres and has been involved with many popular television shows, including SMALLVILLE, SHADOWHUNTERS and most recently THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY, for which he was nominated for two Emmys. He has written pilots for ABC, NBC, FOX, FREEFORM and The CW, where he developed and was the showrunner of MELROSE PLACE 2.0. Other television credits include NO ORDINARY FAMILY, ALPHAS, DEFIANCE, DOMINION and GUILT. He began his career in features, penning DARK REFLECTION and CONTROL, starring Ray Liotta, Willem Dafoe and Michelle Rodriguez.

Over 8 intensive, information-packed weeks, including a one-on-one consultation with Todd where you will work together on your pitch, you will actually craft the verbal and visual sales tools to successfully sell your project. You will delve into pitch structure, voice control, emotional intonation, the effective pause and even how to use sound effects. You will also build and learn how to best use a visual deck/lookbook. Some sessions will also include guests, mainly writers who have had success selling their pitches to major companies and outlets, as well as agents and managers, all sharing their own stories and tips for success.

One-on-one time with an industry expert of this caliber is incredibly rare.

You will walk away from this lab having built and practiced your TV series pitch with Todd so you can go out into the market and confidently sell your project! And there's never been a better time to have your TV series pitch ready!

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.

"You brought to the zoom screen the qualities I’m sure you excel at as a showrunner – humour, vulnerability, candidness, insight, patience, wisdom, respect, humility, confidence, inclusion. Each of these words have been selected specifically!" -- Jan R.

"I just wanted to send a quick note to say THANK YOU for the wonderful showrunner class! The amount of information given in the 4 classes was incredible and you can tell by the stellar guest speakers that Todd you are truly admired for not only your work, but also for being a kind, thoughtful human :)" -- Sage P

"Todd is an absolute angel! This was the most wonderful class I’ve ever taken! If we ever does another class, I’d love to join." -- Lauren M.

"I loved Todd's class. Todd is so enthusiastic and informative, he has a true love of teaching. I would take future classes with him, no question. I really came away with an understanding of how showrunning works and the responsibilities and career paths." -- Allyson M.

SESSION ONE - What Makes A Great Pitch

• My History Pitching in Hollywood
• The First One
• Pitching Movies
• Pitching Pilots
• The Highs and Lows
• What is your history?
• Student Introductions
• Your Pitching History
• Time to get Verbal
• Don’t be Shy
• What Makes a Great Pitch
• The Idea
• The Performance
• Your Passion
• Personal Connection
• Verbal Skills
• Show and Tell
• The Visual Deck/Lookbook
• Images that Help Describe Your Story
• Casting Comps - Actors you Imagine
• Samples
• Is it Necessary? Not Necessarily
• Q&A with Todd

Assignment: Write and submit a synopsis of your idea. No more than a long paragraph.

SESSION TWO - Story & Structure

• The Show/Series
• The More Accessible the Easier to Sell
• Describe in One Sentence
• Who is Your Audience?
• The Importance of Tone
• Funny? Scary? Violent?
• Pitch Should Reflect Tone of Your Show
• Comps - TV Shows & Movies that are Similar
• Character Character and More Character
• The Most Crucial Element
• Why People Want to Keep Watching
• Specificity
• Authenticity
• Pitch Structure
• Personal Connection
• Teaser OR/THEN The Show in a Few Sentences The Pilot AND/OR The Characters
• The Ongoing Series
• Wrap-up/Why they NEED to buy it
• Q&A with Todd

Assignment: Write and submit a description for each of your main characters, including their goals, motivations, behavior patterns and backstory.

SESSION THREE - THE SKILL SET

• Enthusiasm
• Express Your Excitement
• Don’t be Too Cool for School
• Passion is Contagious
• Eye Contact
• Look into Camera Lens Over Zoom
• Look into Eyes In a Room
• Memorize Don’t Read
• Your Voice
• Volume Modulation
• Emotion When Needed
• The Pause
• Sound Effects
• Gesticulation
• Hand Movements
• Body Movements
• Widening Eyes
• Leaning In
• The Smile
• Practice Makes Perfect
• The Mirror is Your Friend
• Video Recording
• That’s What Friends Are For
• Q&A with Todd

Assignment: Write a beat sheet for your pitch, including the introduction, basic pilot story with character descriptions interwoven, and where you see the series going.

SESSIONS FOUR & FIVE - Work On Your Pitch With Todd

One on One Meetings with Todd

• Each Participant Gets A Personal Pitch Development Meeting With Todd
• Individualized Critiques
• Q&A About Whatever’s on Your Mind

Assignment: Write a revised beat sheet based on the feedback you’ve received.

SESSIONS SIX & SEVEN - Pitching To The Big Room

• Each Participant Will Present Their Pitch to the Group
• Calming the Nerves
• Fielding Questions
• Listening to Notes from Todd and Your Peers
• Q&A with Todd

Assignment: Write and submit what were your favorite pitches and why.

SESSION EIGHT - THE BUSINESS OF SELLING

Todd will bring in industry guests: Agent, Producer, Executive

• Representatives
  • Finding an Agent and/or Manager
  • Working with Reps
• Knowing the Marketplace
  • Reading Trades
  • Watching Shows
• Proper Meeting Behavior
  • Do Your Homework
  • Research Who They Are
  • Compliment Wisely
  • Desperation is Sign of Weakness
• Q&A with Todd & Guests

Assignment: What did you learn in this class? What did you like the most? What did you like the least? How could it be better?

WHAT TO EXPECT:

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

• This lab is designed for beginner and intermediate writers interested in creating their television series pitch.
• By the end of this 8-week lab, you will have a completed pitch for your television series that has been vetted by an industry professional.
• This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.
• **Todd will be available to you on email during the 8 sessions to answer any questions you have about your craft, career or project.**

Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information

Saturday October 14th 10am-12pm PT

Saturday October 21st 10am-12pm PT

Saturday October 28th 10am-12pm PT

Saturday November 4th 10am-12pm PT

Saturday November 11th 10am-12pm PT

Saturday November 18th 10am-12pm PT

Saturday November 25th 10am-12pm PT

Saturday December 2nd 10am-12pm PT

Q: What is the format of a class?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Classes are typically 90-minute broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32.

Q: Do I have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer! If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live class. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer

Q: What if I cannot attend the live class?
A: If you attend a live online class, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class. If you cannot attend a live class, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A. Plus, your instructor will be available via email throughout the lab.

Q: Will I have access to the lab afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of the lab, you will have on-demand access to the video recording, which you can view for one month after the class is complete.