Pitch
For the pitch, I collaborated with my peer, Heather Wallbanks to create a brand new concept for a new, innovative live game show. In order to under
Link to the pitch:
When researching what a pitch is, I discovered that a one sheet, which is a condensed version of the pitch (Masterclass, 2021), is often given to the pitching panel to leave an impression upon them and allow for you to be remembered. For our pitch, I created a one sheet so that the pitching panel had a summary of our pitch and could remember the concept that we had pitched to them.
Link to one sheet:
With drag becoming increasingly mainstream and gaining global popularity (Royal Television Society, 2022), the number of those who identify as LGBTQI+ at a “UK high” (Robinson, 2020), and our love for comedy, we wanted to create a show that incorporated all of these into one place. Heather came up with the idea of a camp game show set in outer space. We both felt that the show could work, particularly as game shows, comedies, and sci-fi shows sit within the fifteen most popular TV genres (Masterclass, 2020). From there onwards, we worked together to come up with the concept of a show.
The cast we decided to have within the show was an alien drag queen host, two gayliens, and three outer space explorer contestants. Upon this decision, we created character profiles for all. The character profiles included aspects of their personality and their appearance. For example, we want Queen Thunderclap to be sexy, sassy, flamboyant and have a glamourous alien look to her. By using visual aids alongside key descriptive words, we felt as though it helped us to put our vision for the show across to the pitching panel.
Fig. 1 Queen Thunderclap Character Profile (2022)
The style of comedy we want to include within the show is a mixture of situational comedy, parodical comedy, surreal humour, as well as innuendos (Masterclass, 2021). We subsequently watched Ru Paul’s Drag Race (2009), which often includes some of the humour that we wanted to incorporate into the show. Within the episode “Scent of a Drag Queen” (Ru Paul’s Drag Race, 2013), the contestants have to create a parodical perfume commercial for their own made up scent. The commercial that appealed to us most within the segment of the show was Detox Icunt’s commercial that played on her drag name and made a satirical, parody commercial about her “perfume” called “heroine”.
With Ru Paul’s Drag Race (2009) already existing, we wanted to ensure that our show was different whilst still being able to draw some inspiration from it. Our show is very different to Ru Paul’s Drag Race (2009) in terms of the only things in common with it are the inclusion of a drag queen, and the style of comedy in terms of the inclusion of innuendos within the show. Ru Paul’s Drag Race (2009) is a reality competition show that mainly looks towards the personalities of the talent and this is what their using to compete with whereas Cosmic Snatchers (2022) will look towards the completion of challenges in order to win the show. Personality of talent is obviously important within the show as it helps to carry the show (Glazier, 2022) however, the challenges are also an important aspect of our show.
Throughout the show, we also wanted to include slang that is often used within pop culture and is frequently used in a comedic way. For example, we decided upon naming the alien drag queen’s (Queen Thunderclap) planet, Planet Bundahs. Bundah, in slang terms, means bottom (Urban Dictionary, 2022). Content with segments like Innuendo Bingo (BBC Radio 1, 2007) have proved popular over the years with some videos even racking up over 2 million views (BBC Radio 1, 2022). Due to the continual popularity of innuendos and them holding some similarities in the sense of humour we wanted to achieve for the show, we have decided to try and incorporate them into the script of our show. It is important the the show is current and has relevance to our target audience (Glazier, 2022).
Gathering inspiration from our research, it was decided that we made a game show set in outer space on a different planet with an alien drag queen as our host, two gayliens, and three contestants. Shows like Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow (2002), Trapped (2007), and Jungle Run (1999) often had at least one side character within the show, with Jungle Run (1999) having two monkeys. Consequently, we agreed to have two gayliens within the show, creating some chaos and helping Queen Thunderclap, similar to the monkeys in Jungle Run (1999) and Thing 1 and Thing 2 in Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat (Dr Seuss, 1957).
The casting process will be a crucial part of this project and is of any project (Masterclass, 2020), particularly as our show will partially rely on a drag queen, who is comfortable improvising.
Concerning the demographic we wanted our idea to be aimed at, we looked at the TV guide to see what type of shows were shown on each channel throughout the day and night. We felt as though BB3 at 9pm were the channel and time that best suited the type of show we wanted to create. BB3 had various shows such as, Ru Paul’s Drag Race (2009), Mandy (2019), and Bad Education (2012), with a similar sense of humour to the humour that we want to achieve within our show. BBC3’s demographic is predominantly “16-34-year-olds” (Campbell, 2022). Being within this demographic ourselves, we felt as though we have somewhat of an advantage in creating something for BBC3’s demographic. With BBC3 also now having returned as a broadcast channel (Campbell, 2022), it is fitting within the brief that we have been provided with.
Upon coming up with the tasks, we looked towards shows like Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow (2002), Trapped (2007), and Jungle Run (1999). Through looking at these tasks, it gave us some inspiration as to the type of tasks that were involved within game shows, with these often holding a puzzle element to them. When it came to creating the challenges, we had three ideas for three challenges. The first being a scavenger hunt. As we wanted to stick with the alien, outer space theme, we came out with the idea of having the contestants search for alien eggs within a space-like location. Instead of having the alien egg pit just be called an alien egg pit, we decided to give it a whacky name, calling it The Pit of Whomb, which is a play on words with the word womb. The contestants would have one minute to find as many alien eggs within The Pit of Whomb and the contestant with the least eggs would end up stranded on Planet Bundahs. The second challenge would be a galactic dance off where the person with the funkiest, freakiest, grooviest alien dance moves would win. The third and final challenge was decided upon being a chocolate roulette, where there were twelve identical chocolates with all of them being items that taste horrible apart from one. The person that eats the nice chocolate gets to leave planet Bundhas and go home. The games definitely need working on as they’re very basic and don’t have too much to do with space at the minute. This is something that we will be working on.
Potential locations were included within our pitch as when pitching it is important to try and think about as many aspects as you can and be meticulous (Masterclass, 2021). We tried to establish some relation between our locations and the challenges within the show. With The Pit of Whomb being an alien egg scavenger hunt, we looked around at places that had a planet-type landscape. Upon researching, we found two industrial sand pits located nearby: Moorhouse Sandpits and Borough Green Sandpits.
Fig. 2 Moorhouse Sandpits (2022)
Fig. 3 Borough Green Sandpits (2022)
For the rest of the show, we looked for a location that we could potentially live stream from and that we could transform into Queen Thunderclap’s lair. We found three local locations that we felt we could use: The Royal Functions Room and The Billabong Club, and United Services Club Rainham. We felt that they were big enough to hold a set and had lights already there that we could use.
Fig. 4 The Royal Functions Room and The Billabong Club (2018)
Fig. 5 United Services Club Rainham (2022)
Regarding the aesthetic of the show, we turned to the Black Mirror (2017) episode of USS Callister (Black Mirror, 2017), the Ru Paul’s Drag Race (2011) episode Queens in Space (Ru Paul’s Drag Race, 2011), and Ariana Grande’s Break Free (Ariana Grande Break Free Music Video, 2014) music video. We both liked the look of the interior of the spaceship within the USS Callister spaceship and wanted to incorporate some kind of technology within our set design. The glamour within the Queens in Space (Ru Paul’s Drag Race, 2011) episode was something we also wanted to incorporate into our set design as Queen Thunderclap’s lair is meant to be glamorous like her. Finally, with regards to the look of Planet Bundahs, we wanted it to look similar to that of the planet in Ariana Grande’s Break Free (Ariana Grande Break Free Music Video, 2014) music video, with orange, dusty colours used, whilst still maintaining some vibrance.
In order to get across our visualisation for a very rough idea of what we would like the set design to look like, I used GoogleSketchUp to create a very rough model. I hadn’t used SketchUp since I was in secondary school so had to brush up on my skills by playing about with the software and searching on Google. Heather and I both wanted to incorporate a throne for Queen Thunderclap within the set design for her lair. I added a motherboard/computer, throne, space-type door, stars, a crashed space ship (as the explorers crash land on Planet Bundahs), and some rocks. It is a very rough design that simply combines space with glamour.
Fig. 6 Cosmic Snatchers Rough Set Design (2022)
Another important aspect of our pitch was a run down of the show (Glazier, 2022). With an interest in paperwork, I also completed the run down for the pitch. I found it hard to gauge exactly how long each segment would be as I had never made a run down of a show before. I wasn’t too sure of what one should look like, so took it upon myself to do some research. As a result of this research, I was able to come up with the layout for a very rough run down. The ad break for show already had a compulsory time of two minutes. Within the show, we also had to have a minimum of 4 VTs. It was agreed upon between Heather and I, that two of the challenges would be VTs and the last challenge would be held live. We also added in a couple of other VTs into the show that we thought could add. I placed incredibly rough timings of how long each item should be into the estimated duration. I also included who and what was on screen. Going into the future, I will research more into the timings of shows and how to do rundowns in order to gain an understanding of how to create a rundown and have more confidence in doing so.
Fig. 7 Rough Idea of a Run Down for Cosmic Snatchers (2022)
In an effort to ensure that our pitch was well-delivered, we rehearsed it both with and without an audience. Practising it allowed us to have more confidence in our idea and more confidence in answering any questions that the pitching panel had. Additionally, we created a script for the pitch so that we knew what we were talking about and our idea was thoroughly researched. Within the script, to bring forward the concept of our show being comedic, we added some gags like slapping our bottoms upon saying the host, Queen Thunderclap’s name.
Our pitch script:
Through rehearsing it to an audience of multiple people on different occasions, it allowed us to adapt the pitch and make changes before we delivered the final pitch to the pitching panel. Some feedback that we received was that the challenges/games within the show needed improving as they weren’t that interesting/exciting for audiences nowadays (Glazier, 2022). Heather and I both agreed with this feedback as we really struggled to come up with ideas for the games. This is something we will work on when going forward.
Wanting to maintain a sense of professionalism whilst also getting across our passion for the project (Glazier, 2022), we decided to dress smartly for our pitch, but put a fun twist on it. We incorporated space themed makeup and wigs into our look, whilst wearing smart clothes.
Fig. 8 Elsie Potter and Heather Wallbanks Dressed up for Cosmic Snatchers Pitch (2022)
We pitched our idea to the pitching panel, which consisted of three lecturers and two third year students, who had their pitch commissioned last year. Once we had pitched the idea for our show, the pitching panel proceeded to ask us questions and make comments.
The one question that was asked threw us off as it was something that we hadn’t really considered with the brief for the unit creating only a single pilot episode. Jonathan Glazier put forward the question of if the show was commissioned as a series, how would the challenges work?, would you have the same challenges each episode or would they be different?. Heather came up with the idea that we’d have a bank of challenges and each episode would have different challenges. Even though this is a good idea, upon reflection, it is possible that some of the same challenges could be kept and/or rotated within each episode. Shows like Total Wipeout (Total Wipeout, 2009) and Jungle Run (Jungle Run, 1999) both have at least one of the same tasks repeated within each episode. It is impossible to have an answer to everything however, when pitching in the future, this will be an important question to consider.
When responding to questions, it was hard to have my voice be heard as out of nerves, Heather spoke immediately when answering the question, even if she wasn’t entirely sure of the answer, rather than giving me the opportunity to also respond and voice my opinions/answers. I often added onto what Heather was saying in order to respond to what the pitching panel put forward to us and their comments. We weren’t always on the same page. I feel that it is important to identify when you are not sure of something and to voice this rather than trying to make something up, which is what Johnathon Glazier also agreed with me on. Upon debriefing with Heather Wallbanks afterwards, I assured her that it was okay not to have an answer for everything. We agreed that we would work on this together and that going forward, it will be important to ensure that we’re on the same page, that we give each other the opportunity to voice our points of view, and that there is clear communication.
Upon pitching to the pitching panel, it was decided that the concept for our show would be chosen as the UCA as live production for 2022. Upon reflection, the pitchin panel decided that our games were the weakest point within our pitch and therefore decided, with consultation from both Heather, Vicki, and I, that Vicki would be the games producer for the show as the mini games within her pitch appealed to the pitching panel. In order to ensure that the
With my strengths being focused more on organisational skills and paperwork it was agreed that I’d be a producer and the production manager. Heather Wallbanks’ strengths are within story development and scripting, so it was decided that Heather Wallbanks would be producer and screenwriter. Vicki’s greatest asset for this unit was in her development of the games within her pitch therefore, it was decided that Vicki would be games producer.
Within Vicki’s pitch, she had five mini games, which we will have to adapt to fit within the drag, outer-space, galactic theme of our show. This means that collaboration and communication will be key. It will also be of the utmost importance to maintain clear and continual communication between Heather Wallbanks, Vicki Christofi, and I. As Heather Wallbanks and I live together, it will be easier to communicate with each other, whereas with Vicki being part of a different household, we will have to work harder to ensure that communication is maintained throughout the whole process.
To conclude, it will be important to ensure that we work as a team to bring this idea to life. I learnt a lot throughout this pitching process and was able to experience pitching to a panel, which will hopefully help me in the future.
Bibliography:
Ariana Grande - Break Free (2014) [Music Video] At: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8eRzOYhLuw&ab_channel=ArianaGrandeVevo (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Bad Education (2012) [Television Programme]
BBC Radio 1 (2022) Innuendo Bingo. At: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxpOozG-cXI&list=PL7RLE4ANZ0lUh1m0RSOhLOqYS7-h-stPs&ab_channel=BBCRadio1 (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Black Mirror: Series 4, episode 1 (2017) [Television Programme] Netflix. At: https://www.netflix.com/search?q=black%20mirror&jbv=70264888 (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Campbell, F. (2022) BBC Three Commissioning. At: https://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/bbc-three/ (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow (2002) [Television Programme]
Dr Seuss. (1957) The Cat in The Hat. New York: Random House. At: https://nfc.cambridgeschool.edu.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/05/THE-CAT-IN-THE-HAT.pdf (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Fig. 1 Queen Thunderclap Character Profile (2022) [Powerpoint Presentation, Screenshot] At: https://ucreative-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/2003192_students_ucreative_ac_uk/EYWCJN5kDnxAh29TPCrBhQwBEKtTc4qxMCipmjOxtnsKhw?e=NpGfUD (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Fig. 2 Moorhouse Sandpits (2022) Moorhouse Sandpits. [Photograph] At: http://www.moorhousesandpits.co.uk/ (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Fig. 3 Borough Green Sandpits (2022) Borough Green Sandpits. [Photograph] At: https://www.bgsp.co.uk/our-services (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Fig. 4 The Royal Functions Room and The Billabong Club (2018) The Royal Functions Room and The Billabong Club At: https://www.facebook.com/Royal-Function-Rooms-167954573261291/photos/2008570939199636 (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Fig. 5 United Services Club Rainham (2022) United Services Club Rainham At: https://www.unitedservicesrainham.co.uk/gallery/ (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Fig. 6 Cosmic Snatchers Rough Set Design (2022) [Google Sketchup, Screenshot] At: https://ucreative-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/2003192_students_ucreative_ac_uk/EYWCJN5kDnxAh29TPCrBhQwBEKtTc4qxMCipmjOxtnsKhw?e=NpGfUD (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Fig. 7 Rough Idea of a Run Down for Cosmic Snatchers (2022) [Microsoft Excel, Screenshot] At: https://ucreative-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/2003192_students_ucreative_ac_uk/EYWCJN5kDnxAh29TPCrBhQwBEKtTc4qxMCipmjOxtnsKhw?e=NpGfUD (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Fig. 8 Potter, E. (2022) Elsie Potter and Heather Wallbanks Dressed up for Cosmic Snatchers Pitch. [Photograph] In possession of: the author: Maidstone.
Glazier, J. (2022) As Live lecture series. [Kent: University for the Creative Arts 11/01/2022].
Innuendo Bingo (2007) [Online Video] BBC.
Jungle Run (1999) [Television Programme] ITV.
Mandy (2019) [Television Programme]
Masterclass. (2020) How to Cast a Film: Understanding the Casting Process. At: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cast-a-film#what-is-casting (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Masterclass. (2021) How to Pitch a Television Show: Tips from Judd Apatow and Shonda Rhimes. At: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-pitch-a-television-show#the-4-components-of-a-television-show-pitch (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Masterclass. (2020) Guide to TV Genres: 15 Popular Television Genres. At: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-tv-genres#15-popular-television-genres (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Masterclass. (2021) 13 Types of Comedy: Popular Types of Comedic Performance. At: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-comedy#13-popular-types-of-comedy (Accessed 11/02/2022)
Robinson, G. (2020) ‘Number of people who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual at UK high’ In: The Guardian 06/03/2020. At: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/06/number-people-identify-lesbian-gay-bisexual-uk-high (Accessed 13/02/2022)
Royal Television Society. (2022) How Ru Paul’s Drag Race became a global phenomenon. At: https://rts.org.uk/article/how-rupauls-drag-race-became-global-phenomenon (Accessed 13/02/2022)
Ru Paul’s Drag Race (2009) [Television Programme]
Ru Paul’s Drag Race: Series 3, episode 3 (2011) Netflix. At: https://www.netflix.com/search?q=ru%20paul%27s&jbv=70187741 (Accessed 18/02/2022)
Ru Paul’s Drag Race: Scent of a Drag Queen: Season 5, episode 8 (2009) [Television Programme] Netflix 18/03/2013. At: https://www.netflix.com/watch/70290197?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%2C0%2Cf7a850d3d13cf06f1bfa671b24b15b3d377f348a%3Af4f61eeac9927c1e4902326517407d8d460f5475%2Cf7a850d3d13cf06f1bfa671b24b15b3d377f348a%3Af4f61eeac9927c1e4902326517407d8d460f5475%2Cunknown%2C%2C%2CtitlesResults (Accessed 13/02/2022)
Total Wipeout (2009) [Television Programme] BBC.
Trapped (2007) [Television Programme] BBC.
Urban Dictionary. (2022) Urban Dictionary: Bundah. At: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=BUNDAH (Accessed 18/02/2022)
No comments:
Post a Comment