Between idea and script: pitch bible y writers’ bible

for animated TV series

PITCH BIBLETV seriesElements to consider

• Bible formato Digital/hard copy, horizontal/vertical/square…

• Number of pageso Around 20 pages - could be less, or more (40 pages tops) if extra artwork or

season episode outlines are needed.

• Cover pageo Title of the show, image that represents the series best and other

information if it fits well on the front page (company logos, audience, genre, series format, catchphrase…).

• Genre o Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-fi, Action/Adventure…

• Series formato 52 episodes x 7 minutes, 26 ep x 11 min, 10 ep x 22 min…

• Audienceo Preschool (1-3 year old, 3-5 year old), 6-9 year old, 9-11 year old, 11+,

young adults, adults…

• Toneo Writing style should reflect the tone of the series.

• Synopsiso What’s the series about?

• Logline o A one-to-two sentence synopsis

• Copyrighto A line on the last page/back cover – (Project title) © (Year) (Company)

PITCH BIBLETV seriesElements to consider (cont.)

• Characterso Main characters, secondary, occasional… (focus on the characters

that appear in all and/or in most episodes and that are key for theseries)

• Worldo Main locations, Maps…

• Storylineso Episode story ideas (both for episodic and serial shows)

• Episode structureo If each story is constructed in a specific way and this format repeats

in every episode (start, middle, end).

• Contact infoo Producer/Creator/Company email, phone, website…

• Artworko High quality concepts and/or final art that represents the show

• Creator statemento Heart of the show, where it comes from, inspirations…

• Highlightso Mention of achievements (if the series is based on an award-winning

book/film, studio biography - mention of outstanding projects, if the project has a well-known director/producer/actor/ attached…)

• Merchandising and media strategyo Only if the show revolves around selling a particular product, if it’s

based on an existing property such as a game, toy…and/or there is an active community of followers

WRITERS BIBLE – TV SeriesElements to consider

• Everything from the Pitch Bible plus:• Relationships between characters• Details on locations and sublocations• Detailed episode structure• Curriculum (key themes of the show, web links to

relevant articles, talks…) • Any additional info that helps the writing team

understand the show and be on the same page

This is a more technical document than the pitch bible (sales document) and its format can be simpler. However, creating both documents in a format that can be easily and quickly updated is highly recommended.

PITCHING EVENTS – TV Series

• Cartoon Forum

• Cartoon Springboard

• Marketso Kidscreen, Mipcom, CMC…

• Festivalso Prime the Animation!, WEIRD (3D WIRE),

Annecy, Animation Dingle…

• Othero Arranged pitching sessions (in person or

online) with producers, studios, broadcasters…

Storytelling and scriptwriting tools – and other suggestions

From Lynda Barry’s book “Syllabus: Notes from an accidental professor”

GENERATING IDEAS

ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS

https://www.domestika.org/

https://www.schoolism.com/

https://mrcohl.com/

https://creatureartteacher.com/

SCRIPTWRITING SOFTWARE

https://writerduet.com/

https://www.finaldraft.com/

https://quoteunquoteapps.com/highland-2/

https://www.fadeinpro.com/BIBLE SAMPLES

https://screencraft.org/2019/08/12/21-series-bibles-that-every-tv-screenwriter-should-read/