How To: Pitching A Show And Getting Turned Down

[Jimmy Kustes]

Hi I thought I would start a thread for you potential cartoonists. Today, I got a show rejected and so I’m free to talk about it and wanted to give some advice.

It was the second show pitch I put together, but what was different about this one is that I got to pitch it with my co-creator to a CN exec. In fact it was under consideration for so long that I pitched a third series and it got rejected before this one did. So I was pleased with the results even if it's not going to become a show. Especially since I was 19 at the time and had no major cartooning experience. Also my partner was a writer/psychology major, not a cartoonist. Although she was good at relating to kids!

Anyway one of the things that surprised me is that execs are quite nice. And have quite a bit of knowledge about cartoons! I mentioned Spirited Away and was pretty surprised when she knew what I was talking about.

I recommend that if you are interested in cartooning, PITCH! I don’t care if you are 17, do it! Who cares if people hate your stuff, someone’s bound to like it! Look at all the people that like Shrek and Will & Grace! Even though we got turned down, the exec still liked our work enough to ask for more. Just remember that there is only so much money that can be spent on cartoons. You can’t get all of it!

Here’s contact info for the major studios:
http://www.animationnation.com/links4.htm#C (http://www.animationnation.com/links4.htm#C)

Have any questions on how to pitch a cartoon show? There are a lot of cartoon fans that are also cartoonists on this board.

[CookieS]

Ok, if you're applying to be a writer, that's fine. Pitching ideas randomly is bad business. First, companies will not use/buy your ideas if you just "give" them to you. Most animation companies want to see your skills in action, not on paper. For example, if you want to pitch an idea, its best to have a presentation to go with it. Sample animation, storyboards, and a full treatment are mininum that should be used. Also meetings should be set up. Or at least have all documentation send to them. Talking over the phone for a pitch won't even give you consideration.

Cartoon fans and cartoon makers are different people. Either you just watch them or you make them. Simply liking cartoons is not enough to make you a filmmaker. If you really want to educate yourself, study film. That will get you started. Then get into the technical side, with traditional and digital animation software. Then make a product that you can show people, to visually present your pitch. Ideas are a dime a dozen. People will not consider giving you money until you've given them a belief that you're proficient in your craft.

I'm not trying to put your idea down Jimmy, but my dealings with Cartoon Network have proven to me that skill is 60%, pitch is 20%, and luck is the remainder. Talking about making a cartoon is a business move in the company's eye, and they are not going to invest a dime until you've proven you won't fail. A pitch does not prove that in and of itself. Sorry.

[Jimmy Kustes]

Cartoon fans and cartoon makers are different people.

Jon, I have no problem with cartoon fans that aren't cartoonists. There needs to be an audience. The problem I have is cartoonists that don't watch or read cartoons as a hobby. But I'm getting off topic.

nothing, I sent you a PM.

[Ickis]

What was the show about?A lizard I hope.:D

[Jimmy Kustes]

Why would you say a lizard? :) Nope, it was about a kid that becomes ruler kind of like Charles V.

Like Jon said, it's more about the execution than the concept.

[Ickis]

Why would you say a lizard? :) Nope, it was about a kid that becomes ruler kind of like Charles V.

Like Jon said, it's more about the execution than the concept.I like lizards alot.:D

[Kenshin]

I like lizards alot.:D
yeah lizards are great.

[Zyzzybalubah]

I like how you have the confidence and will to pitch ideas to Cartoon Network, I definitely want to try it myself one day when I get my material more organized and finish up college (I'm going to try to get an internship at Cartoon Network sometime.) I have a few ideas in mind but one that stands out is an action series for Adult Swim. The only problem at the moment is they don't appear interested in new American cartoons aside from their comedy shows (closest thing they have to an American action cartoon is the Venture Bros.) They pick up a quite a bit of anime, but the bad news is most of them, except for your Cowboy Bebop, InuYasha, Trigun, and FLCL (?) normally don't get ratings at the level CN wants them at. You think I should even bother pitching this action idea, or do you think I should just use a Toonami-level action show or one of my comedy show ideas (which I would pitch anyway)?

[Ickis]

yeah lizards are great.I'm glad you agree.Hey!you joined in Augast,the month my birthday's in.:eek: Its on the 15th.

[wrenchien]

they have some kid on knd who is called 'sandy' and he rules.. a sand castle, so i guess that's why the rejection.

[Ickis]

Cartoon fans and cartoon makers are different people.My buddy Stoopid and I do not agree with that,Cartoon makers are too cartoon fans but lets not get off topic,he should know as he is a cartoonist himself.

[Jimmy Kustes]

I like how you have the confidence and will to pitch ideas to Cartoon Network, I definitely want to try it myself one day when I get my material more organized and finish up college (I'm going to try to get an internship at Cartoon Network sometime.) I have a few ideas in mind but one that stands out is an action series for Adult Swim. The only problem at the moment is they don't appear interested in new American cartoons aside from their comedy shows (closest thing they have to an American action cartoon is the Venture Bros.) They pick up a quite a bit of anime, but the bad news is most of them, except for your Cowboy Bebop, InuYasha, Trigun, and FLCL (?) normally don't get ratings at the level CN wants them at. You think I should even bother pitching this action idea, or do you think I should just use a Toonami-level action show or one of my comedy show ideas (which I would pitch anyway)?Thanks!

I'm glad you brought up that CN isn't looking for action American cartoons. Brian Orms (http://www.dopponline.com/) and I created one that leaned toward comedy and it got sent back. Straight comedy has a better chance at getting noticed.

[Speedy Boris]

I'm not sure who I'd want to pitch my series to. Probably Cartoon Network or Comedy Central. Channels I would definitely avoid, though: NBC, CBS, & ABC (none of them have had successful primetime animated shows in YEARS). Fox I'm really hesitant on, too. Who knows if they'd pull a Futurama and put my show at 7 o'clock, or pull a Family Guy and switch the schedule around constantly. :shrug:

But then I remember the advice that Kevin Smith gave on the Clerks TAS commentary: If you get any offers from TV stations, TAKE IT! Regardless of who it is. They were speculating that if they didn't turn down UPN, Clerks might've lasted longer than 2 episodes.

[Invader Z]

Hey. You can always do a "Homestar Runner," and give your 'toon a web home. Also... why is this board at CN's board? Though most of your pilots WERE for CN, someone COULD'VE DONE a pilot for Nick, or somewhere, but it's here, and not the toons board.

[Jimmy Kustes]

Hey. You can always do a "Homestar Runner," and give your 'toon a web home. Also... why is this board at CN's board? Though most of your pilots WERE for CN, someone COULD'VE DONE a pilot for Nick, or somewhere, but it's here, and not the toons board.
Actually I just started up a cartoon on the web.

[I.R Joey]

I think Craig McCracken of Powerpuffgirls fame has popped up here on occasion, as have some other creative people in the cartoon industry. Maybe you should try and draw one one of them out.

[CookieS]

No. Show creators are not in charge of signing on new shows. Leave anyone involved in production alone please.

[I.R Joey]

No. Show creators are not in charge of signing on new shows. Leave anyone involved in production alone please.
I wasn't implying that they were. I was saying that maybe they could give good advice on pitching shows.

[Jimmy Kustes]

Well you could always look at articles & interviews on AWN etc.

That's a good place to start.