Your cartoon can make a serious point through comedy.
There are a million ways to get a meeting in front of a television executive. You could have your agent submit a treatment (a synopsis) of your story or a sample script of your show. The executives love it and they want to meet with you. You could have a friend of a friend who introduced you to an executive or put a good word in for you. Either way, the meeting is more important than the introduction. When you tell them about your cartoon TV show idea, it has to be engaging, professional and well-thought-out.
Instructions
Preparation
1. Plan your pitch as if it were a stage performance. Know your audience and play to their likes and avoid their dislikes. Call up their secretary and try to get some tips from her.
2. Become an expert on animated television. Know all the characters, producers and writers that have already come before you. Use this knowledge to help build your confidence.
3. Build your pitch around your main character. Let the details about the main character and how they view the world paint the picture of the animated world you've created.
4. Practice giving your pitch to friends. Notice the time they start to tune out and give you a confused look.
5. Prepare a leave-behind. Be creative. You can leave behind a one-sheet, which is a sales document that explains the potential customer demographics and potential reach of the show. It can be a business card or whatever you feel is appropriate to remind the executives of your idea.
The Meeting
6. Start with the main character and her wants, desires and problems. Seamlessly flow into the animated world that you've created and the possibilities of multiple seasons without going too in-depth.
7. Explain the show's theme. Throw out ideas for two or three fully-thought-out shows to show the executives that your show has the potential for hundreds of episodes.
8. Present your artwork if you already have sketches of what the actual television show will look like. Only make it a point to show your artwork if it is decidedly different from anything else already on television. If not, just stick to explaining this world and its characters verbally to avoid pre-judgement.
9. Express your role in the show. Pick your strength as a writer, director, character designer, or producer. Let the executive know that's how you see yourself with this show.
10. Let your "leave-behind" do the rest. Leave a copy for each person present in your pitch meeting on the desk. Thank the executives for their time.
