BPS 144: How to Pitch a Television Project to a Network with Kelly Edwards

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with writer, producer,
former studio executive and diversity thought leader Kelly Edwards.
Many of us want to be able to pitch our shows to a network or
studio but just don't know how the game is played. Kelly not only
knows how the game is played she wrote a book on how to do
it.

Her new book is The Executive Chair: A Writer’s Guide to TV Series
Development.

To make compelling television, our industry depends on enthusiastic
new voices with fresh ideas. While there are plenty of books about
the mechanics of writing, this is the first time an insider has
detailed the invaluable TV executive perspective. As key pieces of
the entertainment puzzle, executives hold institutional wisdom that
seldom gets disseminated outside network walls.

The Executive Chair breaks down the business from the gatekeeper’s
point of view, illuminating the creative process used by those who
ultimately make the decisions. Whether developing a project for the
entertainment marketplace or merely probing the executive mindset,
The Executive Chair dispels myths about the creative process and
takes the reader through the development of a pilot script.

"There are a million ways to break into Hollywood. Your journey
will be unique to you. Meet all the people. Work all the angles.
But most of all, enjoy the ride." - Kelly Edwards

Kelly Edwards recently transitioned from inside the network ranks
into a writing and producing deal with HBO under her Edwardian
Pictures banner.

In her former executive role, she oversaw all of the emerging
artists programs for HBO, HBOMax, and Turner. The pilots she
produced through the HBOAccess Writing and Directing fellowships
have screened at major film festivals including Tribeca and SXSW,
and garnered multiple awards.

Prior to HBO, Edwards was a key corporate diversity executive at
Comcast/NBCUniversal for over five years where she oversaw over 20
divisions, launched employee resource groups, and introduced
diverse creative talent to NBC, USA, Syfy, Bravo, and
Telemundo.

Edwards’ career spans both television and film. Early in her
career, she worked as a creative executive in features at both
Disney and Sony under such talents as Garry Marshall and Laura
Ziskin. After moving to television, she served as a senior
executive at FOX where she developed LIVING SINGLE, CLUELESS, and
THE WILD THORNBERRYS. While heading up UPN’s Comedy division as the
SVP of Comedy Development she developed GIRLFRIENDS, THE PARKERS,
and MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE.

In 2000, Edwards co-founded the non-profit organization Colour
Entertainment, a networking group for diverse creative executives
in TV, Film, Digital, as well as assistants, all designed to
connect current and future industry executives with one
another.

Kelly and I had an amazing conversation about the business, how to
pitch a television project to a studio, and much more. Enjoy!

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