How to Sell an Animated Series

Course Details

Think you've got the next SpongeBob SquarePants? Whether you're moving over from live action to cartoons, or planning to start a career in animation, you need to know how this highly specialized area of the industry actually works. Pitching the animated series and landing a sale is an art form all on its own and demands a unique tool kit. In this course, you'll learn how to fill up your own animated toolbox with strong character profiles, producer know-how, and a sales bible that helps a buyer visualize your unique concept.

In addition to tips and tricks for pitches and samples from real-world bibles, this seminar will take some of the mystery out of the global animation business. You'll learn how co-production deals work, why it's sometimes better to sell your show to an independent production house rather than a network, and how best to move forward if your show is actually based on a game, toy or, heaven forbid, a t-shirt!

Students with prepared concepts (no longer than five minutes) can pitch the instructor and get feedback.

• The art and technology of animation (i.e., what animation can and can't do)
• The state of the animation business today (in the U.S. and around the world)
• How to pitch a preschool show
• How to pitch a 6-11 age-group show (and the differences between comedy, comedy/action, and action/comedy shows)
• How to create a pitch bible (note: for writers, this section includes how to find and work with an artist)
• If you should you sell to an indie or network, and why
• How animation development execs think
• How to structure your pitch
• What to do if you land a deal

Instructor Bio

Rita Street's Courses

Rita Street is the executive producer of the animated series Ruby Gloom (a concept based on a t-shirt, airing around the world) and the upcoming Cartoon Network Europe show Hero:108. Rita is also the president of Radar Cartoons, a producer's representative firm that helps clients create and sell animated content. The firm has placed shows into development with the international divisions of both Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. She also sold her own animated movie concept to Warner Bros. Feature Animation.

Testimonials

I wish I knew this information when I first started pitching my animation concept, because you can waste months or years not knowing what the right protocol is for a pitch bible, and how to actually set up meetings etc. Rita rocks!! --Lisa Ross