As a producer/director/writer/whatever, there’s nothing more exciting than selling a project. However, in Hollywood there’s a big difference between “selling” a project, and actually making that project.
Big Phone Call
Last night we received the call you hope for and dream about: one of our reality pilots got the Green Light. It will actually be funded, we’ll produce the pilot, and with luck, it will make it to air, much as Scream Queens did.
That Took A While
Here’s what most people don’t realize: we “sold” the project on November 20, 2008. 412 days before the Green Light call last night. That’s roughly 58 weeks, 9888 hours, 593,280 minutes, or, 35,596,800 seconds.
That’s Okay!
Before a network or movie studio invest one penny in any project, they’re going to look at it from every angle, and make sure it will work for their audience.
They usually will buy a project in what’s called a “step deal.” That could include many steps, such as:
- Write a script or flesh out a treatment.
- Attach talent.
- Cast contestants.
- Shoot a mini-pilot, presentation, or tests to prove a “look” will work.
- A million other things to make the people with the money feel better about investing.
When you get a Green Light, you’ve overcome a lot of hurdles to make your project. You’ve proven:
- You have a unique idea and a great project.
- There’s a market and audience for your show or movie.
- Someone trusts you enough to give you money to execute that idea.
Be Patient
The time between selling a project and making the project could be very long. Remember our post, Showbiz is Slow-Biz? Well, it’s the truth. So don’t expect your big idea to come to fruition over night.
Instead, look at it as a series of mini celebrations every time you get closer to the big go-ahead. When the Green Light finally comes, well, then the work really begins…