ICYMI: How to Sell a Film or TV Show Now
Plus: Sean McNulty's bold ideas to adapt to film slates' new normal
A couple of weeks ago, I joined the virtual AMA that Abby Barr, our head of audience, organized with The Wakeup’s Sean McNulty for subscribers to The Ladder, Ankler Media’s invitation-only networking group for early-career pros in the first decade of their career.
But as Sean noted, there’s nothing like IRL meetups, and last weekend, The Ladder hosted its first L.A.-based event, in partnership with Cramer Comedy Newsletter, for members. The State of Comedy was a two-and-a-half hour journey that was part comedy conference, part comedy show, and a lot of industry intel. The panels covered live comedy (in L.A., NY and touring) and the evolution of digital comedy. Series Business’ Elaine Low moderated a spirited conversation about producing for TV and film with Peacock and NBCU’s vice president of comedy development Jessica Murphy, showrunner Yamara Taylor (Black-ish, Saved by the Bell) and JASH cofounder Ivan Salas-Orono. They spoke about what types of pitches are getting bought, the art of the virtual pitch and sweet multi-cam money. Fun continued over fried chicken at Crawfords, where The Ladder sponsored the afterparty (you can watch the recorded livestream here).
If you’re in the first decade of your career, apply to join The Ladder. We have a lot more planned, with our next event a virtual one for members on Feb. 26, where Prestige Junkie’s Katey Rich interviews Katie O’Brien, showrunner of Tubi’s first scripted original, The Z-Suite. Hope to see you there.
Now, with no further ado, ICYMI:
Dealmakers: The New Rules for Selling an Original Film
Studios may be making fewer films, but as an agency insider tells Ashley Cullins (paid subscribers only), “A studio can’t have 12 big movies.” As they fill out their slates, how do you sell an original film? Dealmakers across town divulge the “no man’s land” budget range; what producers can now expect to get paid at Netflix; and the evolving backend deals at Amazon, Apple and Netflix and which offers the most upside:
Series Business: Winning Zoom Pitches; Yellow Light Hell
As Zoom pitches become the overwhelming norm post-pandemic, there’s a new playbook for selling a show. Elaine Low reveals (paid subscribers only) the new skills writers need to break through in a virtual pitch; which shows are hardest to pitch virtually; what it takes to get an in-person meeting; and a buyer’s advice for making a memorable pitch:
In a variation on the theme, Lesley Goldberg reports on the “blinking yellow light” limbo that writers and showrunners now face: having to prove a show can be done on a predetermined budget before a series order; how long this development phase can last; how you determine a show’s budget when it’s still being written; and the upside for experienced showrunners:
Rushfield: H’wood Wake Up Call; Penske Penury
As a creeping sense of surrender sets in around the industry (and yes, of course, politics), Richard Rushfield asks, where’s the urgency? Or, perhaps there’s a more cynical plan in place? Plus: Richard wonders what happened to the Golden Globes’ charitable mission under its new management:
Juicy Read! When Lorne Almost Lost SNL
Our exclusive excerpt from Susan Morrison’s new Lorne Michaels biography — Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live — dives into the executive suite drama as Michaels faced off with Don Ohlmeyer and NBC suits who wanted Adam Sandler, Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald fired, along with Michaels himself. The excerpt, edited by The Optionist’s Andy Lewis, reveals how the comedy impresario outfoxed them:
ESG: Streamers’ New Made-for-TV Made-up Sports
Three-on-three women’s basketball. A mashup of live and simulated golf. Ari Emanuel-backed slap fights. We’re in a golden age of made-for-TV startup leagues. Entertainment Strategy Guy analyzes how entertainment companies justify airing these sports over scripted shows; the one thing an emerging sports league can offer that “major” sports are unlikely to; and how the newest leagues are performing:
Prestige Junkie: BAFTAs, Spirits, SAG Awards
This week, Katey Rich tried to make sense of where the final precursor ceremonies — BAFTAs, Film Independent’s Spirit Awards, and SAG Awards — leave the Oscars race. (Don’t forget to join the Prestige Junkie Oscar pool here.) Plus, she chats with SAG Awards EPs Jon Brockett and Linda Gierahn about how they put together their show, tonight on Netflix:
THE WAKEUP
Film just went through its biggest business change in 40+ years. So Sean McNulty broke down 2025’s studio slate data and the three opportunities for the industry to change the movie business’ narrative:
🎧 PODCASTS
THE ANKLER
Hollywood's New Mission Impossible: Greenlights Scribes and producers adapt to studios' new rules of engagement:
Like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts
📱 LIKE & SUBSCRIBE FROM NATALIE JARVEY
👓 THE OPTIONIST BY ANDY LEWIS
FINAL HOUSEKEEPING!
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