Hi all, just curious if anyone has any in-the-room advice for pitching a very specific genre-- the dreaded historic drama. I usually write drama features (and not historic ones) but was recently hired to write a limited series based on a hundred-year-old diary. I ended up optioning the project myself to shop around town as I have more industry contacts than the person who hired me, but I have yet to pitch this particular genre (or a TV project for that matter, though I did watch and loved the Stage 32 "How to Pitch to Netflix" webinar and, having been in dozens of film pitch meetings already, feel ready-to-go on that front-- though I'm happy to hear any TV selling advice as well if you care to share).
I have just left a big rep and will be seeking a new one(s), but once representation is re-secured and I get in the room, any advice or warnings for pitching a period piece/historic drama series? Things that should be mentioned/not mentioned, etc? Happy to hear any advice as this feels a very niche genre.
Thank you!
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No real advice other than be sure you understand the often very onerous budgetary and preproduction issues involved with historical pieces. This can make a relatively low budget dramatic piece into a mega-budget piece. And of course, ensure you have some answers to questions on that area.
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Who is the national archive - or community reenactment group that you can partner with? The national archive - (tons of paperwork and red tape) may have access to funding - and - the community reenactment could make for already costumed volunteers who could sign on for a honorarium payment versus union rate if you are in a non-union state. There is a way to make this happen! Good luck to you!
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Know who your pitching to and focus your key points on their interests. As an example, I pitched to a middleschool teacher, so I focused on topics she would have taught and provided history anecdotes of my own that she might be unaware of, but link to things I know she knows.
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Thanks everyone-- great advice. It is a big-budget project-- destined for either one of the big streamers who could afford it, or my beautiful shelf full of other dead projects, lol (though Cherelynn's suggestion could give it a second chance!). I've mostly avoided period pieces knowing people avoid them but it's just the nature of this project, so I need to jump into battle and defend it somehow...