Pilot season is when shows in development are given the go-ahead and casting begins. Traditionally, January is considered the beginning of pilot season, though some begin casting as early as November. In May, the networks present their new shows to advertisers in New York, typically flying in their celebrities to help excite the advertisers about buying airtime.
How a Pilot is Put Together
Very few ideas or scripts get greenlighted. Some shows get upfront guarantees of up to 13 episodes if the talent involved is of sufficient caliber, but most shows start out life as a stand-alone pilot. Only a select few will actually make it to the air based on audience testing and other factors.
Some pilots are held in reserve for mid-season replacement, but others are never seen. Still, being cast as a series regular in a pilot, even if it doesn’t go, is usually a major boost to an actor’s career.
Many pilots have recently been shot using major stars, diminishing roles for new faces, and most networks like to see a history of work before an actor can be considered. However, unproven actors are plucked out of obscurity all the time. An example is Topher Grace, star of “That 70s Show,” whose resume included only theatre.
How Casting Offices Find New Talent
Certain major offices like UDK and Liberman/Patton handle a large number of pilots every year. If you have representation, you may get into these offices through submissions on specific roles. Otherwise, there are a number of groups in Los Angeles that feature casting director workshops on a near-daily basis.
These workshops provide an excellent, informal opportunity to establish and develop a sort of relationship with the casting directors you meet. Dozens of actors have been brought in to read for producers have booked roles thanks to these workshops.
The process of getting a series regular role can be quite grueling. Other than the casting director, the network still has to approve of you, along with the show’s producers. Then, there is no control over whether or not the show will be picked up by the network, renewed and so on.
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