About This Document
This guide outlines our expectations and best practices for the pitch document submitted as part of the Development Lab application. The goal of the three-page document is clarity, tone, and potential — not perfection. We are interested in your creative vision and your understanding of the project at an early development stage. Think of it as a clear, confident snapshot of the project you want to develop during the lab.
The purpose of the pitch document is to tell us about your new series or feature project. The video sample you submit doesn't need to be a proof of concept for this submission — but that's also great if you are looking to expand a world you have already created.
Overall Length & Format
Recommended length: 3 pages. Documents uploaded with more than 3 pages will be deemed ineligible.
Format tips:
- PDF only
- Simple, readable layout
- Images are encouraged — they should reflect the tone of your project. Images from your past projects are encouraged if they align.
- Use headings to define the sections included.
What We're Looking For
Strong pitch documents should demonstrate:
- A clear creative vision
- A strong grasp of tone, genre, and audience
- An understanding of where the project is in development
- A sense of why this project matters now, and why you are the best person to tell it
- Openness to development and feedback
What to Include in Your 3-Page Document
Your pitch document should cover the following — use headings to clearly define each section:
- Project Info Project title, format (feature or series), genre, length or number of episodes, and creator name(s).
- Logline A concise description of protagonist, conflict, and stakes — a couple of sentences.
- Synopsis An overview of the story or season arc. If a series, a few sentences about the story engine of the show.
- Characters Introduction and description of main characters and their arcs.
- Tone 2–3 comparable projects — and why. What do they share with your project in terms of tone, genre, or audience?
- Look & Feel Is there a monster? What does it look like? If it's sci-fi, is it high concept or grounded? Paint the visual world of your project.
- Audience Who's this for? A short sentence.
- Director's Vision Why you? Why now? Why does this story matter to you? This is your creative statement.
- Development Goals What stage is the project at, and what do you want to develop during the lab?
- Creator Bio(s) Brief, relevant bios for the key creators attached to the project.
What You Do Not Need to Include
- Full scripts
- Detailed budgets or financing plans — please use the budget template we provide separately. This is not part of the 3-page document.
- Recoupment structures
- Distribution strategies
Keep the focus on your creative vision and the story you want to tell. The business details come later.
Common Pitfalls
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Overlong documents — if it's over 3 pages, it will be deemed ineligible.
- Excessive world-building at the expense of story and character clarity.
- Overly ambitious or disconnected comparisons.
- Dense text blocks — use headings and white space to keep it readable.