Gunning for Greatness: The Powerhouse of TV Pilots
The Differential Success of TV Introductory Series: Unveiling the Key Factors that Make or Break a Show
In the world of TV, the first episode - known as a 'pilot' - is the audacious bachelorette stirring up anticipation. With the rise of streaming services and the increasing number of shows announced each year, it's no surprise that our eyes are glued to the screen for a jaw-dropping three hours every day, according to this Statista study! But what makes a pilot tick? Let's dive in and get a closer look at the DNA of successful shows.
Pilot Lore
So, why is the term 'pilot' associated with the opening episode? The term originates from a scientific reference to a small-scale study meant to determine the feasibility and cost of a larger project. In the high-stakes film industry, networks test the wyres of a show by showcasing its potential in a pilot episode. The season for these endeavors often takes place between January and May, although streaming services like Netflix, Disney, Hulu, and Amazon have a more fluid schedule with concepts being developed throughout the year.
If a pilot is greenlit, it becomes the series premiere and is aired to audiences. Sometimes, however, major changes and reshoots are needed, such as the case with Game of Thrones, where most characters were recast and the pilot was reshot after a shoddy first cut.
Pilot Alchemy
Whether it's drama, comedy, or thriller, all pilots must weave a tale that grabs the audience by the lapels and leaves them yearning for more. And like any recipe, it all starts with a well-crafted script and a vivid, engaging story that leaps off the page. Here's what you'll need to cook up a winning pilot:
Captivating Premise
Every pilot should present a strong premise that hooks both executives and viewers. While the pilot should stand alone as a self-contained story, it's crucial to give viewers a glimpse of the world and characters they can anticipate in future episodes.
Alluring World
Immersive world-building is key to drawing audiences into the story and intended genre. Does the world sow the seeds of drama, comedy, or tension? Does the world offer clearly defined rules, conventions, and values that the audience can decipher?
Gripping Theme
All pilots must know their purpose and the message they intend to convey. While themes evolve over the course of a series, the pilot must touch the ground running, offering a precise idea of the show's overarching theme.
Memorable Characters
At the core of the world are the characters, the individuals you'll follow on an epic journey. Characters need to be believable and relatable in some way, forging an emotional bond with the audience. By gaining an understanding of who these characters are and what makes them tick, we'll stick with them as they traverse the narrative landscape.
Pilots that Fizzled Out
There are numerous instances of pilots that didn't make it to series. Let's take a gander at some of these fallen stars and consider the reasons they struck out at the starting line.
Aquaman (2006)
The idea for an Aquaman series stemmed from the Smallville universe. After Aquaman made a cameo in an episode named "Aqua", creators Miles Millar and Alfred Gough felt confident the character could carry his own series.
A pilot was produced, and the buzz surrounding its release grew. Unfortunately, the CW network opted not to pick up the show, leaving Millar and Gough to release it independently on iTunes, where it quickly reached the number-one spot with positive reviews. Despite this promising reception, the show was never greenlit for a full series.
Creator Gough echoed the show's mystery, stating, "The implication when a network doesn't pick up a show is that the pilot sucks, and that's not the case [The CW's reasoning for not picking it up] is a mystery to us. It's not a perfect pilot by any stretch of the imagination, but there are other reasons — which are a mystery to us — why The CW didn't pick it up."
Swamp Thing (2019)
In stark contrast to Aquaman, the Swamp Thing pilot actually did make it to series and aired 10 episodes, only to be abruptly cut short due to creative differences between the production company and WarnerMedia, the parent company of the DC Universe.
The show garnered critical acclaim and strong viewer feedback. Despite this, the behind-the-scenes drama between the creators and the network ultimately led to its untimely demise.
Clerks (1995)
Let's not get caught up comparing this pilot with the successful feature film of the same name. After the indie comedy Clerks scored a hit, the natural next step seemed to be producing a complementary TV series.
The ill-fated pilot centered around two convenience store workers doing a whole lot of nothing. The pilot was plagued by strange casting, subpar humor, and an ill-advised laugh track, falling far short of the original film's impact. The most significant difference between the two versions lay in the fact that the creators of the original film were not involved in the production of the pilot. Disney purchased the IP, with the film's cast and crew busy working on another project. Furthermore, key characters such as Jay and Silent Bob remained the property of Kevin Smith, the mastermind behind the original. The beloved characters from the original film were nowhere to be found in the disappointing pilot.
The Clerks pilot may have launched several careers, but it paved the way for the animated series that eventually hit the airwaves. The moral of the story? The team behind a project is crucial to its success.
Triumphant Tales
Plenty of pilots make it to air, but the trip isn't always an easy one. Here, we unveil the stories of series that almost didn't make it... but persevered!
Game of Thrones
We touched on this HBO classic earlier in the article, but now it's time to travel to Westeros and recount the extraordinary journey of the showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss. It took an astounding 15 years for them to bring the show to life. The first four years were particularly grueling as they grappled with zero experience running a show of this magnitude. Even the most experienced members of the cast and crew found themselves overwhelmed. It's Stark truth that the initial shoot was... chaotic, to put it mildly.
After a harrowing attempt at the pilot, Benioff and Weiss presented their work to friends and family. The response was less than spectacular, with words like "boring" and a "small scope" flying around. HBO shared the same concerns, questioning the production value, which they believed didn't align with the sheer scale of George RR Martin's sprawling novels. The show's genre was also a source of confusion, as the pilot seemed more like a period drama devoid of the epic fantasy elements the novels embodied.
Ultimately, it was decided that the pilot needed a severe overhaul. Several characters were recast, and major changes were made to move the story closer to the novels' dark and enchanting atmosphere. With newfound determination, HBO took a chance on the retooled Game of Thrones, and the rest is... well, history.
Breaking Bad
One of the most groundbreaking shows of the 21st century, it's difficult to imagine a world without the monumental Breaking Bad. But it could have been an entirely different story if Vince Gilligan, the show's creator, hadn't persisted in his vision.
When Gilligan first pitched the series to studio executives, they compared it to a series called Weeds, a new Showtime series about a mom who dealt with pot. Although both premises revolved around a mother breaking the law, the genre, tonal approach, and thematic depth could not have been more divergent. The success of Breaking Bad demonstrated that only Gilligan possessed the unique skills needed to bring the series to life.
In Summary
The fate of a TV pilot relies upon numerous factors, including strong storytelling, compelling characters, a clear concept, and a deft understanding of genre. Although some pilots never see the light of day despite their potential, others, like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad, prove that perseverance, creative vision, and a deep sense of genre can transform a stumbling block into a cultural phenomenon. The volatile nature of the television industry ensures no formula guarantees success, but one thing is certain: a great pilot can set the pace for an iconic series.
If you're considering writing your own pilot, why not check out our article here for valuable tips and guidance on making your show pop!
We'd love to hear from you! What other series seem to have missed their shot at immortality? Head on over to our socials and join the discussion!
Author
- Natasha Stares Natasha is a UK-based freelance screenwriter and script editor with a passion for sci-fi. In 2022, she placed in the Screenwriters' Network Short Film Screenplay Competition and the Golden Short Film Festivals. When she's not at her desk, you can find her at the theater or meandering through the English countryside.
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behind the scenesepisodic televisionstory developmenttv writing
- The piloted episode of the show Clerks failed to live up to the success of the original film, largely due to subpar humor, a laugh track, and the absence of key characters.
- Despite initial concerns, the Game of Thrones pilot received a second chance after major changes, such as casting and revamping the story, ultimately leading to its cultural phenomenon status on HBO.
