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The following is a list of questions most commonly asked by Pilot-Makers
who are submitting or considering to do so. For a complete list of
rules and guidelines, please download
the New York Television Festival Independent Pilot Competition (IPC)
Official Entry Rules. If you have any further questions, please contact
us by email: submissions07@nytvf.com. Q: Why should I submit to the NYTVF? Q: What prizes are available to winning pilots at the NYTVF’s Independent Pilot Competition? Q: In what ways does the NYTVF help artists promote their work to the industry? Q: What are some of the changes to the Independent Pilot Competition in 2007? Q: What if I can’t afford to make my pilot look like shows that are already on television? Q: What prevents the New York Television Festival, or any attendees, from stealing my ideas? Q: Should I be concerned with clearances and copyright when shooting my pilot? Q: Can I submit my pilot to other festivals? Q: Is the New York Television Festival also looking for original teleplays/scripts? Q: What if I have more than one episode of my show? Q: What does the NYTVF require in press kit material? Q: What type of photographs are you looking for when submitting? Q: On what format do I need to provide my pilot?
In addition, our pilot-makers have met with people from the following industry outlets as a direct result of being featured at the NYTVF: A&E, Bravo CAA, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, E! Networks, ESPN, Fox, Fox Sports, FX, HBO, HDNET, ICM, Lionsgate, Management 360, Mosiac Media, NBC, N.S. Bienstock, OLN, Showtime, Spike TV, TLC, TV Land, William Morris, and VH1. The NYTVF is an unprecedented opportunity for aspiring artists looking to make inroads in the TV industry. Q: What prizes are available to winning pilots at the NYTVF’s Independent Pilot Competition? A: Aside from the unparalleled exposure your project will receive, several outstanding pilots have won cash prizes for distinguishing themselves amongst the competition. To date, the NYTVF has given away over $30,000 to winning pilots in the IPC. Winners are determined by Festival juries, which are composed of some of the biggest names in the industry. Tom Fontana (Oz. Homicide: Life on the Streets), Mitchell Hurwitz (Arrested Development), Mike Scully (The Simpsons), Michael Davies (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire), Julie Chen (CBS News), and Rachael Ray (Rachael Ray). Q: In what ways does the NYTVF help artists promote their work to the industry? A: Beginning last year and continuing in 2007, the NYTVF sends all Official Selections to the IPC directly to the development departments of studios and networks as well as several major talent agencies. An additional program launched in 2006 provided an opportunity for artists to meet first-hand with development executives from networks to learn more about the TV development process. These closed-door industry conversations were held with representatives from A&E, Comedy Central, NBC New Voices, Court TV, IFC and MSN. In addition, thanks to an exclusive arrangement with Signature Sponsor
MSN, the Official Selections to the IPC were available online for
thousands of people all over the country to enjoy, maximizing the
exposure our artists received for their work. Further, the NYTVF also
partnered with Variety to create the official 2006 Program. The program
was printed as an inset in Daily Variety and distributed to 75,000
people who work in the entertainment industry. Q: What are some of the changes to the Independent Pilot Competition in 2007? A: This year, the NYTVF has instituted a number of important changes to the IPC. Beginning on February 5th, the NYTVF is accepting pilot submissions immediately and will continue to do so throughout the entire Call for Submissions period on a rolling basis. Pilot-makers who send in their projects early will be notified within thirty days of whether their pilot has been accepted into competition or has been deferred to the main pool of entries for selection at a later time. In addition, the 2007 NYTVF is looking to include more pilots into competition than ever before. This year, pilot-makers have the opportunity to submit more than one entry for consideration with no limit to the number that they may enter. These new initiatives are being implemented to maximize a pilot-maker’s opportunity to sell through on his or her program. Q: What if I can’t afford to make my pilot look like shows that are already on television? A: Obviously, a polished pilot is more impressive than one with low production values, but the New York Television Festival supports the idea that talent will be the determining factor in what entries are selected as finalists. The Festival organizers and the industry figures attending understand that an independent producer putting together a pilot does not have the same budget as a studio, so an innovative idea bolstered by strong writing and good performances will be far more important than an expensive-looking pilot. The budget for Criss-Cross, a comedy pilot that sold to A&E, was reportedly only a few hundred dollars. Q: What prevents the New York Television Festival, or any attendees, from stealing my ideas? A: Anyone who has ever pitched an idea in the entertainment business is mindful about having ideas stolen. The New York Television Festival offers unique protection for independent television makers attempting to promote their ideas by providing an open marketplace in which to showcase their pilot. At the Festival, thousands of industry figures will see your name attached to your project, and this degree of visibility offers far more protection of your idea than you would have in conventional channels such as a pitch meeting. Q: Should I be concerned with clearances and copyright when shooting my pilot? A: Yes. The Festival will not be able to accept as Official Selections any pilots that contain copyrighted music, images, or other materials. We ask that pilot-makers take great care to prevent any copyrighted material from appearing in their projects. Q: Does an independent producer or production company retain the rights to the show after submitting? A: Yes. At any time, you are free to make a deal with a network or production company to sell the concept or any other part of your show. The New York Television Festival retains no ownership rights over the show that you are trying to sell but does retain the right to promote your work by broadcasting the pilot submission on the air or over the Internet. If you are successful in selling your show, the NYTVF will voluntarily relinquish its rights to further publicize your pilot if that is your wish. Q: How will the New York Television Festival use my pilot, in regards to the Exclusive Broadcast Rights? A: The Exclusive Broadcast Rights applies only to winning pilots in competition, and the NYTVF retains this right in the interests of promoting pilots after the Festival has concluded. We regard this arrangement as beneficial for all sides, as you and your pilot will continue to enjoy valuable industry exposure through these promotional opportunities. Q: Can I submit my pilot to other festivals? A: The NYTVF does not restrict your ability to submit your pilot to other Festivals. One caveat: in determining what pilots represent the Festival as Official Selections, preference is often given to fresh pilots that have not yet been seen by the industry. This is only a rule of thumb and by no means a hard-and-fast rule. Q: Is the New York Television Festival also looking for original teleplays/scripts? A: At this time, the New York Television Festival is only accepting completed pilots for the IPC. No verbal or written pitches are being accepted. Q: What if I have more than one episode of my show? A: The NYTVF asks that you select one episode that you feel best represents your program to submit to the competition. Q: What does the NYTVF require in press kit material? A: The Festival is looking for information about the pilot and about the cast and crew, including a list of principal actors and the roles they play. Brief biographical info about the crew and any relevant production notes or anecdotes which can be used to promote your pilot in official literature is also very helpful. Q: What type of photographs are you looking for when submitting? A: We are looking for photos showing a screen shot and perhaps a behind-the-scenes shot of production. These photos will be used to promote your pilot in official literature, so please no head shots. If possible, we would prefer to receive these pictures in a digital format, such as on a CD or DVD. Q: On what format do I need to provide my pilot? A: Submissions are preferred on DVD but may be submitted initially on VHS. For a complete list of submission guidelines, please download the official submission form. |
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