The Creation of TV Pilots, from Conception to Special Delivery

An In-Depth Look at How Pilots Get on the Small Screen and How Ratings Work

Pilot Conception

Let's examine how shows are born, from conception to birth, from printed ideas to pilots making the grade and how ratings effect the newborn shows.

Birth of Creation

The birth of creation starts with an interesting storyline premise and then a good script. Whether it's a half-hour comedy or hour-long drama, the teleplay needs a blend of lead and supporting characters. If it's comedy, viewers need to smile and laugh. Punchlines, one-liners and scene stealers are all good elements of a sitcom. If it's drama, it needs to be riveting, action, drama and thrills seal the deal for dramas. Research also comes into play, when you're writing about law, law enforcement, forensics, medicine in order to have the right terminology and lingo.

A Pregnant Pause

Before it reaches the small screen, it goes through a hierachy of organization. The storyline has to pass muster with the Managers of the Departments of Drama and Comedy. Then it's approved by the Directors of those departments. Then it's handed up to the VP of both departments to Senior Vice President of Programming. The same flow happens to the Motion Pictures and Current Programming Departments. The Senior VP of Programming also handles the Children's and Daytime Departments. Then it goes on to the higher echelon, the President of Entertainment Division. Finally, the President and CEO of the network, who handles Affiilate Relations, News, Sports, and Owned-and-Operated (O&O's) Departments. That's a long way from idea to the small screen.

The Heartbeat