So I developed this concept and wrote a pilot script in 2004/5. The pilot script won the Columbine Award for Television Pilot at the 2005 Moondance International Film Festival. Then nothing. 21 years later, I am bringing it back to life. I'd like some advice.
Marty the Martian Farmer - a retro sci-fi comedy animated TV pilot
Genre: Animated Sci-Fi Comedy
Logline: When a harmless farm experiment sparks a galactic misunderstanding, a Martian tomato farmer finds himself in a battle with Earth’s bureaucracy, rogue inventions, and one very hungry cow. Welcome to Marty's farm, where retro sci-fi meets hilarious absurdity.
Number of pages: 22
Setting(s): A farm on Mars, and the Alien Search Agency HQ in Washington DC (animated)
Actor requirements: None since animated
I have great original art, illustrated pitch deck, and a short sizzle reel. I just am not sure the best way to get this in front of the right people. I've attached the sizzle reel teaser and a sample of the art for your information.
I'm doing pitch sessions here, but no feedback yet. I have a good illustrator/animator on my team.
What should I do next?
Thanks,
Neal
Congratulations on your pilot script winning the Columbine Award for Television Pilot, Neal Jamison! The sizzle reel teaser and art are incredible!
Stage 32 has free in-person Meetups that are great for networking (www.stage32.com/meetups). You might meet producers, directors, executives, and other creatives and industry pros. If you don't see a Meetup in your area, keep an eye on that page for new Meetups. And you're welcome to start your own Meetup.
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Thank you Maurice. I will definitely check out the meetups.
You're welcome, Neal Jamison. Hope it helps! I can't wait to watch Marty the Martian Farmer!
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Excellent work Neal Jamison keep that drive going. Let me know when you are ready for voice actors. Maybe you should do the audio version of it for the time being, like a podcast.
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Thanks Kevin. I will keep you in my rolodex. :)
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Hi Neal. I just sent a pitch to you on Stage 32, 12.12AM, NORMAL writer's hours... A. I grew up on the great MGM and Harman-Ising Studios etc. Toons.
So the problem is mostly that there is no REAL problem that is going to make a dramatic statement, or a big problem that takes a lot of Laurel and Hardy style goofy attempts to fix, solve it.
A. The characters should be 'Normal', then driven to crazy antics, watch Laurel and Hardy, sitcoms like Tool Time, trying to fix, solve it.
B. It does not have to be Mars, Earth in the future with the like 4th? generation of a family dealing with a new AI robot that has by accident, recieved his general personality, knowldge from a slightly wacked human, would be the father;s agony.
c. Then the robot, Stanely? would be watching all the robot, programmed machines etc. for the farm, and sometimes gooffing up.
d. The REAL IMPORTANT, again watch sitcoms is the 'friction' between personalities.
e. The show NEWHART, with characters Larry, Darryl, and Darryl, you could have a 'Darrel' robot on a pair, Larry and Darrel, thier personalty imprints taken from two cranky brothers from Earth?
f. So watching the video again, are the two Teens normal? Is there comedy interaction between the family characters?
Last
Do it on Earth
Like what if the Robots decide to do Crop circles of Hot Robot Babes???
gEorge
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There was a TV show from 1965 to 1971 called "Green Acres" where a wealthy couple from New York City move to the country. Lots of great comedy lines and gags. Your story could be on Earth in the future with crazy robots, the Greater 'Earth Space Farm Patrol' that stops by and causes chaos etc.....
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This is such a cool concept. It has si much potential on crazy things. You've gotta do a killer tomatoe from space episode or something haha!
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I use Green Acres as a comp when I pitch it. Futurama meets Green Acres on Mars. Thanks for the comments!
it’s a nice pilot. I hear a lot of animators are turning to web3 because the animation industry is a bit tricky these days. in my country it might be easier, if you’d be interested to have it on Norwegian television
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Neal Jamison absolutely love the line work done on this animation, the overall art style is great. I would agree with George Ray Rigney, there's no problem or conflict. I would also add and something that's over looked is audio. I feel like there could have been more sound design, who do you have doing your post production audio?