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Submit Ideas to Hollywood?
“I want to submit ideas to Hollywood.”
We hear that a lot. Whether someone wants to break into the movies, make reality tv shows, or create the next Emmy Award® winning primetime drama, everyone seems to have big “ideas.” But there is something about “ideas” that no one has ever told you.A secret that can blow away all the crazy value you attach to your ideas.
A change in thinking that can turbo-charge your showbiz success. Something we harp on in How to Pitch a Reality Show.
What is it? 
Here on Producing Unscripted episode 002, that’s the topic of today’s podcast. Digest what we have to say, because if you understand the main principle behind today’s episode, and start to look at “ideas” in a different light, you’ll change your career forever.
You’ll no longer ask, “How do I submit ideas to Hollywood?”
In fact, this one concept can put you on the fast-track to Hollywood success. Pay attention to today’s advice, and professionals will pay attention to you.
I’ll tell you this much — people who understand what we talk about on this episode are the kind of people we leap to be in business with.
Don’t Submit Ideas to Hollywood (Or Us)
It’s time to think about your creative concepts differently. Forget the myth that great one-line ideas can earn big bucks.
Whether you want to work with us or anyone else in Hollywood, it’s crucial to realize what part of the entertainment industry pyramid a single, solitaire idea fits into (hint: it’s not the top.)
Stop thinking, “if I could only submit my ideas to Hollywood” and start thinking bigger.
On today’s episode:
- We have a new series going to air after teaming up with someone from Cleveland. You could be next.
- The important step you must take before submitting an “idea” to us. A “must do” before we’ll consider teaming up with you.
- Can your ideas really be stolen by Hollywood?
- What does an idea actually represent?
- What does it mean that both “Trading Spouses” and “Wife Swap” could be on the air at the same time on different networks?
- How to step beyond ideas and into success.
- Geting from “idea” to “package.”
NOTE: We’re film and TV producers, not lawyers. We’re not offering legal advice here. If you decide to submit ideas to Hollywood in any form, things can go wrong. But we believe we’re sharing the realities of the industry we work in, and that by shifting your thinking about the worth of an idea you can achieve success much faster. It worked for us.
Related links:
The Truth About Your Big Idea in Hollywood Our seminal post on Hollywood, ideas, and you.
Our New TV Special: The Ghost Inside My Child Includes video trailer of the original special, now ordered to series on Biography Channel.
Protecting Ideas: Can Ideas be Protected or Patented? Another industry’s take, but many of the concepts apply perfectly. However, most studios or production companies (including us) would never sign a confidentiality agreement for similar reasons to those discussed in the podcast.
Could Hollywood Steal Your Idea? Good post looking at the topic from a screenwriter’s perspective. Perspective is useful, but registering short paper-pitches with the WGA for unscripted TV show ideas is almost useless. More on that in a future post.
Transcript coming soon!
UPDATE: Transcript Now Available Here
So bring some good concepts to us, and maybe we can team up and make some TV together! Here’s how: