THE
LAUNCH PAD
PILOT COMPETITION
PRESENTS
THE TOP 100 PILOTS OF 2016
*PRIORITY READS*
- 3 Years - 160 Writers Signed –
- 54 Projects Set Up –
- 21 Writers Staffed –
- 3 Bidding Wars –
The Future of Television is Now!
WHATISTHELAUNCHPADCOMPETITION?
Withover160writerssigned,54projectssetup,21writersstaffed,70appearances
onannual‘bestof’lists,and3biddingwarsinjustthepastthreeyears,TheLaunch
PadCompetitionhasfastbecomethepremierehubfordiscoveringnewwriters.
Withapilotcompetition,featurecompetitionandtherecentlylaunchedmanuscript
competition,wehaveestablishedourselvesasthelaunchingpointfornewwriters
acrossplatforms.
WHOISTHISLISTFOR?
Whether,agent,manager,producer,executive,orassistant,thislistisforyou.Witha
continualcallforgreatvoices,greatdramas(especiallythisyear),greatcomedies,
andgreatwriters,we’vebuiltthisdocumenttogiveyouaquickglanceatthisyears
topnewwritersandprojectsbeforetheybecomenextyear’shotnewshowcreators.
So,whetheryou’relookingfornewclients,newprojects,newwriters,orsimplya
greatread,checkoutthelisttoseewhichwritersandwhichstoriesinspireus.
WHODECIDESWHOMAKESTHISLIST?
Thislistmakesupthetop5%ofthisyear’spilotcompetitionentries,asvotedonby
ourprofessionalreaders,our25judges(CAA,UTA,WME,CircleofConfusion,
Kaplan/PerroneEntertainment,MadhouseEntertainment,Management360,
AnonymousContent,amongstothers),aswellasourdevelopmentpartnersatScott
Free,Vertigo,TwinPadresandEnergyEntertainment.Ifit’sonthislist,your
industrypeersdeemeditworthyofbeinghere.
HOWCANIREQUESTANDREADTHESCRIPTS?
Insteadofbouncingemailsbackandforth,we’remakingitincrediblyeasyto
requestthepilotsyouwanttoreadviaourrequestform.So,ifyouseeanythingyou
like,simplyclickthebelowlink,orcopyandpastethewebaddressbelowintoyour
browsertostartrequesting.
Requestpilotshere:http://www.tracking-board.com/read/LPPC2016/
HOWCANIFINDOUTMOREABOUTAND/ORCONTACTTHEWRITERS?
Insteadofputtingallofthewriters'personalinfointhisbookfortheworldtosee,
we’vekeptthatofflinetoprotecttheirprivacy.So,ifyou’vefoundascriptyoulove
andhavequestions,oryouwanttorequestanintroduction,simplyshootusan
[email protected]’llputyouintouchrightaway.
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
#1FANbyAnnabelSeymour
30ROCKmeetsPOPSTAR:NEVERSTOPNEVERSTOPPING
TwentyyearsafterembarrassingherselfbyproposingtoherpopstarcrushonliveTV,a
businesswoman'slifeisthrownforaloopwhenthebankruptsingershowsuponher
doorstep.
GENRE: Comedy
WHYTOREAD: Thetypeofcomedyanetworkbuildsanightaround.Withamixofwit,nostalgia,and
goofinessthisisaneasilyaccessiblebigaudienceshowwithanincrediblyrelatablepremise
turnedupto11andeasytoseeplayingweektoweek.Twoexceptionallywell-drawn
charactersanchortheseriesthat,betweenthelaughs,consistentlydeliversagreatdealof
depthandhumanitywhereothershowscouldhaveeasilyfallenintotiredtropesandclichés.
Thewritingisstrong,thecharactersbreakouts,andthejokeshilarious.
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TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
40ELEPHANTSbyE.S.Dahl&KayTuxford
PEAKYBLINDERSmeetsTHECATCH
Afterleavingherfiancé,anaïvewomanjoinsanall-femalegangofthievesledbythedaughter
ofaruthlessringleaderin1920sLondon,aspiringtoreinventherselfandhelpearnthe
seductiveindependencewomenbrieflyglimpsedduringWorldWarI.
GENRE: Drama|Crime
WHYTOREAD: Asmart,fun,andfemaledrivengangsterdramathatmixesalltheenergyofheistfilmslike
OCEAN’S11withtheperioddrama,violence,andintrigueofPEAKYBLINDERS.Aneasyfitfor
cable,premium,orpay,butcouldalsobeastrongcontenderforabroadcastoutletlookingto
makeamark.Exceptionalcharactersplayoverafreshbackdrop,withthemesblending
betweentriedandtruegangsterstories,sexism,confidence,andthebeliefthateveryone
deservesashotattheirdreams…eveniftheirdreamsarealifeofcrime.
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TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
ADDICTEDbyMelissaCassera
GREY’SANATOMYmeetsLOVEANDOTHERDRUGS
Arecoveringsexaddictwholandsajobasapharmaceuticalrepnotonlydiscovershow
scandaloushertheindustryis,butdiscovershernewpartneristhemanwhomadeheran
addictinthefirstplace.
GENRE: Drama|Comedy|Medical
WHYTOREAD: Builtaroundafascinatingcentralcharacterwhoisequalpartsfunandtragicwhilebeing
100%captivating,thispilotdeftlyjuxtaposesaddictionwiththecorruptionofthe
pharmaceuticalindustry,openinguppossibilitiesforbothgreatcharacterdramaand
complexsocialcommentarywithitsmixtureoffun,intrigue,andsoapydrama.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
1
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
ADRIFTbyTitusHeckel
BATTLESTARGALACTICAmeetsTHEEXPANSE
Onaplanetwheretheonlysourceofsunlightandheatisproducedbyartificial“orbs”
controlledbycorporations,debatesofreligion,politics,andfeareruptintoviolenceafterorb
isdestroyed,leavingalllifefightingtoseeanotherday.
GENRE: Drama|Action|Sci-Fi
WHYTOREAD: Fromitsthrillingopeningsequencetoitscomplexpoliticalintrigue,thisiscreativesci-fiatits
best.Balancingbigtopicphilosophieslikereligion,politics,andthevalueoflifeagainstan
originalandexcitingspacesetting,thispilotbeautifullymarriessmartstorylineand
blockbusteractionwithoutskippingabeat.Ambitiousbothintoneandscope,thisseries
couldeasilytakeapagefromSyFyhitssuchasBattlestarGalacticaandTheExpanseinterms
ofvisualization,andthoughtheworldandvisualsarebig,thesettingsandfoundationsare
grounded.Thisisthetypeofseriesanetworkcouldbuildintoeventtelevision,appealingnot
onlytothosewholovesci-fi,butalsotothosewholovesmarttelevision.
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TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
THEALCHEMISTSbyAmandaKeener
THEMAGICIANSmeetsHARRYPOTTER
Thedisappearanceofayounggirl'sparentscauseshertoattendaboardingschool,whereshe
meetstwomysteriousAlchemistsanddiscoversshehaspowersofherown.
Drama|Fantasy|YA
Arelatablefemaleprotagonistanchorsthisfunandexcitingpilotthatisfilledwithgreatideas
andunexpectedtwists.Stunningandoriginalvisualscombinedwiththeprovenpremiseofa
supernaturalschoolgivethispilotalltheingredientsofasuccessfulYAhit.Itsdarkcomedic
tonemakesitaperfectfitforeitherachildren'snetworklikeDisneyorNickelodeonora
moreteen-focusedaudiencelikeFreeformorMTV.
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TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
ALIBIMANbyRichardHays&RobertIngraham
WHITECOLLARmeetsTHEAMERICANS
Amanwhomakesalivingbydisguisinghimselfandprovidingfalsealibisforcriminalsfinds
himselfatthecenterofamurderinvestigationofoneofhisclients,withbothanFBIagent,
andthevictim’sfamily,lookingtotrackhimdown.
GENRE: Drama|Crime|Thriller
WHYTOREAD: Withaninstantlycompellingandstrikinglyoriginalpremise,thispilotdeliversfastand
excitingactionhandinhandwithexceptionaldialogue,smarttwists,andthetypeoflead
characteractorsfightforachancetoplay.Toyingwiththeideaofwhatitmeanstobe
successfulintoday’sworld,aswellashowfaronewillgotosucceed,thispilotnotonly
deliverspowerhousetelevision,butitlinesupseasonsofstoriestotell.Astrongleadmixed
withtheoptiontospinthisintoaproceduralorserializedseriesopensthispilotuptomost
buyerslookingtosecureabigstarwhodoesn’twanttogetpigeonholedplayingthesame
characterweektoweek.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
2
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
ALMAMATERbyJennyDeiker
BROADCHURCHmeetsPRETTYLITTLELIARS
ApsychiatristandformeralumofaprestigiousboardingschoolinWalescomesbacktohelp
thestudentsdealwiththeirgriefoveranapparentsuicide—andbeginstosuspectthatthe
schoolshelovesmaybehidinganevenmoredisturbingmystery.
GENRE: Drama|Mystery|Thriller
WHYTOREAD: Fromtheveryfirstpagetotheverylast,thiscaptivatingthrillerdeliverstheperfectmixof
mystery,intrigue,thrills,anddramatobuildamustseeseriesaround.TheInternational
Schoolprovidesadiversecastofexceptionallywell-developedcharactersaswellasan
overarchingsenseofsecrecyandprivilegethatpowersthetwistsandturnsofthecentral
mystery.Withacomplexheroinewhosepsychologicaltrainingisaperfectentryintothe
intricaciesoftheteenagepsyche,thispilotleapsoffthepagewithinsight,intelligence,anda
hintofterror.
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TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
ANDWE’REBACKbyNickFanego
CASUALmeetsTHECOMEBACK
Whensheisfiredfromherownshowafterturning50,America’sformer#1daytimetalk
showhostenlistsherchildrentohelpherreclaimherstardomandhusband—bothofwhich
werestolenbyyoungerwomen.
GENRE: Comedy
WHYTOREAD: Masterfullyjugglingcynical,edgyhumorwiththewarmthofafamilysitcom,thispilotfirmly
setsupapremisepackedwithcomedicpotentialandanensembleofcharacterswhoare
boundtoclash,butloveeachotherintheend.Withmultigenerationalcharactersand
storylinestogetbehind,thiscomedyimmediatelyhasthepotentialtograbaudiencesfrom
showssuchasMom,ModernFamilyandVeepalike,andbecomethenextbreakouthiton
mostanynetwork.
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TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
AREYOUFUCKINGKIDDINGME?ByJoeToto
THEREALO’NEALSmeetsMODERNFAMILY
Afamilyonthevergeofdivorceattemptstomaintainnormalcywhenencounteringtheirwild
relativesforChristmasdinner.
Comedy|Drama|Coming-of-Age
Animpressivebalanceofcynicism,humorandheart,thispilotisthesortofemotionalfamily
sitcomthatcanstraddlethelinebetweencomedyanddramatogreateffect,capturinga
fiercelyloyalaudiencealongtheway.Withagreatcastofcharacterswhorangefrom
relatabletowildandatonofhilariousmoments,thisisthekindofpilotthatwillleaveyou
smilinglongafteritends.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
3
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
ARKHAM,MASSbyAndrewAguirre
PITCH:
PENNYDREADFULmeetsTRUEDETECTIVE
LOGLINE:
AstringofmysteriousdisappearancesplagueasmallNewEnglandtowninthe1930s,
promptinganinvestigationbyajournalistwithsomethingtoprove,aprofessorwith
somethingtohide,andayoungmanwhojustmightbethekeytothestrangegoings-onof
Arkham,Mass.
GENRE: Drama|Period|Supernatural
WHYTOREAD: BuiltonastrongLovecraftianfoundation,thispilotcombinesanimpeccablydetailedsmall
townsettingwithanintriguingcastofwell-developedcharactersandanoverarching
atmosphereofhorrorandsuspense.Withsubtlecharactermysteriesdancingbetweenthe
mainstoryline,andadelightfullythrillingcliffhangertowrapoutthepilot,thisiseasilyseen
asthefirstforayintoaseriesthataudienceswillscheduletheirlivesaround.
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TITLE:
ARMAbyGiovanniPorta
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
BLOODLINEmeetsTHESOPRANOS
AMiamihotelownerwhosebusinessisstrugglingfindsoutthathiswifeissecretlyamajor
armsdealer.
GENRE: Drama|Crime
WHYTOREAD:
Asoapy,twistyfamilydramawithastrongcastofminorityleadsintheveinofEmpire,this
pilotcouldbethenextbignetworkhit.Burstingwithtopicalandexcitingsubjectmatterlike
drugsmugglingandarmsdealing,there'snolimittotheaction-packedplacesthisplotcould
go.ThebeautifulandsexyMiamisettinghelpsturntheheatupto100onthissteamy
ensemblehit.
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TITLE:
ASSISTANTSANONYMOUSbyMorganThompson
PITCH:
GIRLSmeetsTHEDEVILWEARSPRADA
LOGLINE:
GENRE: ThreeyoungadultstrytopursuetheirdreamsinHollywoodwhileworkingasassistantsfor
theirhorriblebosses.
Comedy
WHYTOREAD:
Neverforgettingthatapilotneedstobehilariousevenwhileestablishingitsworld,this
laugh-out-loudsitcomcapitalizesonthehighoctanesatirefuelofHollywoodtofindnewand
funnyanglesontheindustryweallknow,hateandsometimeslove.Expertlystructuredto
balancethestoriesofitsthreecompellingleads,thispilotemploysfunandinventive
transitionssuggestiveofanoriginalandintelligentwriter.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
4
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
BAPTISTEbyJennyDeiker
PITCH:
TRUEBLOODmeetsBLOODLINE
LOGLINE:
GENRE: Afterthedeathofherestrangedfamily,alawyerinheritsabed&breakfastintheLouisiana
bayou,aswellastheresponsibilityofperformingthedarkmagicthatprotectsthe
community.
Drama|Horror|Supernatural
WHYTOREAD: AsamorallycomplexcharacterpiecedrenchedinthetrappingsofSouthernGothichorror,
thispilotusesitssettingimpeccably,craftingauniqueatmospherethatservesasabackdrop
forfamilydramaaswellasaterrifyingsupernaturalthreat.Withagreatprotagonistwho
musttakeonherfamily’shorrifyingburden,thispilotgripsyouwithamixofbeautifully
cinematicwriting,ashockinglydramaticcliffhanger,andafeelingthathavingtowaitaweek
togetmoreisgoingtobethemostdifficultthinginyourlife.
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TITLE:
BARBARIANSbyL.A.Townsley
PITCH:
VIKINGSmeetsCLASHOFTHETITANS
LOGLINE:
GENRE: Inthecourseofcompletinghislabors,Hercules,nowadisgracedhero,arrivesatthehidden
cityoftheAmazons,whereastruggleforpoliticalpowerinitiatedbytheGodshasmadethe
callforwarimminent.
Drama|Period|Supernatural
WHYTOREAD: ProvidingallthenecessitiesofanancientGreekdrama,withbothnuancedpoliticalintrigue
andexpansivecinematicbattles,thispilotdeliversgroundedhistoricaltalesandwondrous
fantasyaliketoaudiences.Thehiddencityintheheartoftheforestprovidesendlessvisual
splendoraswellasagreatsenseofmystery,magic,andmyth.ThepresenceofHerculesand
Theseushelpsgroundthepilotwithfirmlyestablishedcharacters,whilethematriarchal
societyoftheAmazonsprovidesalltheviolence,sex,anddramaabreakoutcablehitcould
everaskfor.
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TITLE:
BLOODSTONEbyErikBernard&LyndonTait
PITCH:
HELLONWHEELSmeetsDEADWOOD
LOGLINE:
Inthe1850s,threesetsoftravelersconvergeontheSanFranciscogoldrushinsearchoftheir
fortune.
GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
Drama|Period
FromthescorchingviolenceoftheWildWesttothethrillingdangersofthehighseas,this
pilottakesonanepicscopetotellthestoryofoneofthemostfascinatingchaptersin
Americanhistory-theGoldRush.Withasprawlingensembleoflayered,complexcharacters
andnolimittoitsdramaticpossibilities,thisisafast-pacedexaminationofgreedand
ambitionreminiscentofsuchtelevisionmasterpiecesasDeadwoodandCarnivale.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
5
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
BLUEGRASSbyRichardBarbourII
PITCH:
JUSTIFIEDmeetsUNDERGROUND
LOGLINE:
GENRE: AfterthemurderofaconductorontheUndergroundRailroad,anabolitionistrunsforCity
MarshalofLouisvilleinordertoassistingettingescapedslavestotheNorth.
Drama|Period
WHYTOREAD:
Thisisanimpeccablyresearchedhistoricaldramathattakesanewlookatthefighttoend
slaverythroughthelensoflocalpolitics.WithcameosbysuchhistoricalfiguresasHenryClay
andAndrewJacksonaddingtothealreadyfantasticcastofcharacters,thispilotispacked
withintrigue,dramaandtopicalthemesofraceandpolitics.Youcanpracticallyseethethinkpiecespilinguponline.
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TITLE:
BLUNKHILLS,THEbyHollisLudlow-Carroll
PITCH:
WE’RETHEMILLERSmeetsBROOKLYNNINE-NINE
LOGLINE:
AgroupofmismatchedFBIagentsgoundercoverasaperfectfamilyinordertogainaccessto
criminalmastermindslivinginaluxurygatedcommunity.
GENRE: Comedy|Crime
WHYTOREAD: Theperfectsitcompremise,buildingofftheundercoverfunof21JUMPSTREETbutplacing
itshilariouslyineptandincompatiblecharactersinaWisteriaLanesuburbannightmare.This
pilotdeliversfrompageone,andneverstopsbuildingonitsjokes,raisingthecomedicstakes
ateveryturn,orusingitsabsurdistsenseofhumortofleshoutaformidablesupportingcast.
Whilethepremiseandcharactersalonedeliverenoughtocomebackweektoweek,it’sthe
endlesspossibilityofwherethisseriescangothatmakesthisanattractivepickforbroadcast
andcablealike.
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TITLE:
BORNCLASSIFIEDbyJ.R.Smith&NicholasFoxRobbins
PITCH:
THEX-FILESmeetsMANHATTAN
LOGLINE:
Inthe1950s,awomanwhoworkedontheManhattanProjectisrecruitedtojoinateam
investigatingextraterrestrialphenomena.
GENRE: Drama|Sci-Fi|Period
WHYTOREAD: Mixingthetrappingsofaconspiracythrillerwiththeintelligenceofaperioddramaandthe
storytellingpotentialofasupernaturalprocedural,thispilothasalittlesomethingfor
everyone,allwhilemaintainingitsdistinctandexcitingpointofview.Withastrongfemale
protagonist,greatdialogueandgenuinelycreepyimages,thisisthekindofpilotthat'seasyto
marketandeveneasiertogethookedon.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
6
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
PITCH:
BROOMSTICKCOWBOYSbyMikeRevenaugh
THELEAGUEmeetsEDDIETHEEAGLE
LOGLINE:
Afteradevastatingmarriageproposalrejection,adownonhisluckmandecidesthatthebest
waytogethislifebackontrackandprovehisworthistoreturntothesportheexceledatin
hisyouth—curling.
GENRE: Comedy|Sports
WHYTOREAD: Asalaugh-out-loudcomedyfilledwithquirkycharacters,wittydialogue,andenergetically
sharpdelivery,thisincrediblyunique,anduniquelyrefreshing,storymanagestonotonly
inviteyoualongfortheride,buttofallinlovewiththecharacters,anddareIsaycurling,
alongtheway.Withastarringrolethatcouldlaunchacareer,andastorythatmanagestobe
smart,referential,andjustalittlerandom,thispilotisthebeginningofseriesthatwinsthe
nightforanybroadcastorcablehome.
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TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
BUSLEAGUEKNOCKSbyMaryCardenas
FRIDAYNIGHTLIGHTSmeetsEVERYBODYWANTSSOME
Adiversegroupofbaseballplayersfightingforashotatthemajorsfindthemselvesinthe
wildandcutthroatworldoftheminorleagues,navigatingcrazedfans,corruptcoaches,and
backstabbingteammatesastheytravelfromcitytocityfueledbylittlepay,littlesleep,and
bigdreams.
GENRE: Drama|Sports
WHYTOREAD: Anexceptionallywell-writtenpilotthatseamlesslybalancesrichandrelevantdramatictopics
suchasraceandclasswiththehumorandrealismofitscharacters,elevatingthisshowwell
beyonditssetting.InthesamewaythatFridayNightLightsisrememberedasapowerful
dramaratherthanasportsshow,thisseriesprovidesasmartandrelatablesetofcharacters
withagroundedandemotionallookatwhatitmeanstofightforyourdreams,dealwithyour
losses,andremembertohavealittlefuninbetween.Thisisabroadcastorcableshowthat
hasseasonsofstorytopluckfromandabuilt-inaudiencejustwaitingforit.
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TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
CALIFORNIA’SGONEbyJackBentele
CLOSEENCOUNTERSOFTHETHIRDKINDmeetsHOUSEOFCARDS
WhentheentirestateofCaliforniamysteriouslydisappearsintothePacificOcean,the
governmentattemptstokeepthedetailssecret,aneffortcomplicatedbythesudden
disappearanceofthePresidentandtherevelationthatwemaynolongerbealoneonthis
planet.
GENRE: Drama|Sci-Fi
WHYTOREAD: ThisiseventTVatitsfinest.Withanoverwhelminglycinematicstory,andahigh-conceptscifipremisethatperfectlymeshessmartcharacter-drivenstorieswiththeexcitementofa
summerblockbuster,thispilotdeliversoneverypage.Aconstantflowoftwistsandturns,
inventivenewapproachestosci-fi,andarichlydiversecastlineupanexcitinghookthatnot
onlymakesthistheshoweveryone’stalkingabout,butthekindofshowthatkicksoffwitha
SuperBowladanddominateswhatevernightit’son.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
7
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
CHILDREN,THEbyMichaelAloyan
PITCH:
RESURRECTIONmeetsTHELEFTOVERS
LOGLINE:
13childrenfromtheGreaterSeattleareagomissingonthesameday,onlytoreturntwo
weekslaterhavingagedover10years.
GENRE: Drama|Sci-Fi
WHYTOREAD: Athrillingsci-fipremisewiththeexcitingtwistsofaneventseries,thispilotwillgraban
audiencewithitsideasandkeepthemhookedwithimpeccableandfascinatingcharacter
work.Milkingitspremiseforallofitsthematicandvisualpotential,thispilotmixesacreepy
atmospherewithrealemotionaldepthtocreatethesortofgroundedsci-fithatwinsboth
awardsandratings.
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TITLE:
COSMObyRogerPorter
PITCH:
MADMENmeetsSEXINTHECITY
LOGLINE:
Fouryearsafterleavingherhusband,onewoman’sattempttosecureL’Orealproductsforher
burgeoningbeautysalonendsuplaunchingacosmeticindustryrevolutionin1960sNew
York.
GENRE: Drama|Period
WHYTOREAD: MixingthesociallyconsciousperioddramaofMADMENwiththefunandintrigueofa
primetimesoap,thisdivesintothedynamic60sthroughtheuniquelensoftheflourishing
cosmeticindustry.Engagingrevolutionarythemesoffemaleoppressionandempowerment
thatarestillrelevanttoday,thispilotcombinesaheadstronganddeterminedprotagonist
withadeepensemblecastandanintelligent,darkhumortocraftanexcitingandprovocative
worldburstingwithpotential.
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TITLE:
CREATORCODEbyMichaelRaymond
PITCH:
CHILDRENOFMENmeetsMR.ROBOT
LOGLINE:
Ascientistresearchingthecureforadevastatingplaguediscoversthathisunbornchildmight
holdthesecrettoacure,buthemusthidefromtheevilcorporationprofitingfromthe
disease.
GENRE: Drama|Sci-Fi
WHYTOREAD: Groundedsci-fithatmixesthedystopianactionofChildrenofMenwiththetech-drivenanticapitalistthemesofMr.Robot,thispilotispackedwithtopicalandthrillingideasthatcould
makeitthenextbigseriesofthemoment.Brimmingwithhighconceptpotentialandadeftly
balancedcharacterdrivennarrativefeaturingacompellingmaritalrelationshipatitscore
thisseriesoffersnoshortageofvibrantlyengagingvisuals,inventivenewideas,anda
cliffhangerthatwillleaveyouwaitingformore.Thisisapilotthatwillcatertodiehardsci-fi
fansandthoselookingforintelligentdramaallinthesamebeat.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
8
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
PITCH:
DARKFORESTbyXanderBernstein
THESTRAINmeetsWORLDWARZ
LOGLINE:
TwoAmericandoctors,who’vetraveledtotheCongotoinvestigateanunidentifiedand
rapidlyspreadingoutbreak,findthemselvestrappedinawartornregionwheretwoteens
mayhavediscoveredimmortality…butatwhatcost.
GENRE: Drama|Horror|Supernatural
WHYTOREAD: BrilliantlycombiningthepeakentertainmentofOUTBREAKandHEARTOFDARKNESSwith
thetimelytopicsanduniversalfearsoftoday,thispilotdeliversanincrediblycinematicworld
filledwithmemorablecharacters,andrapidfirethrillsthroughout.Withanedgydrama-filled
premise,stronginternationalappeal,andmysterythepromisesseasonsofmustwatchTV,
thisisashowthatwillnotonlydeliverforfansseekingasmartsupernaturalthriller,butthat
willbecomeabreakouthitforanynetwork.
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TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
DAYBREAKERbyPhilSingleton
BATTLESTARGALACTICAmeetsSUNSHINE
AfterthedisappearanceoftheSun,what’sleftofhumanitysurvivesduetoaspaceshipthat
provideslightandheattotheEarth,whichasmallgroupofastronautsmustprotectatall
costs.
GENRE: Drama|Sci-Fi|Thriller
WHYTOREAD: Withtheperfectblendofhigh-conceptsci-fiandsmartcharacter-drivendrama,thispilot
promisesaseriesthatwillnotonlybecomeeverysci-fifan’sdream,butonethatwilldrivean
audiencetothegenre.Balancingepic,globalstakeswithinacontainedsettingandallowing
thebrilliantlycraftedcharacterstosteerthestory,thisseriesisonethatoffersanendless
opportunitytoplaywiththebeautifulvisualsoftheworld,butonethatneverreliesonthatto
keepusengaged.Instead,it’salookathowwellthegroundedhumanexperiencecanlive
insideanincrediblycraftedfast-pacedthrillerthatnotonlykeepsyouintriguedpagetopage
andeagerlywantingmore,butonethatkeepsyouthinkingwellaftertheendcreditsroll.
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TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
DEADBEAT,THEbyTyeLombardi
SLEEPYHOLLOWmeetsX-FILES
Afterinheritinganestatefromarelativeshenevermet,aBostondetectivetravelstoNew
Orleanstodiscoverwhythishousewasleftforher,whothisrelativewas,andwhythelocals
believethereissomethingsupernaturalatplay.
GENRE: Crime|Drama|Supernatural
WHYTOREAD: Abrilliantlycraftedandeasilyaccessiblesupernaturalproceduralthatdeliversoneverypage.
Withastrongfemaleleadsteeringtheway,thisseriesperfectlycombinestheworldsofpolice
proceduralandX-FILES-likemonsteroftheweekintoacompelling,addictivestorythat
blossomsinthedeeplyhistoricalandmysterioussettingofNewOrleans.Byutilizingthe
outsiderleadandhernewhomeasanintroductiontotheseries,aswellasthemythologyof
theworld,inthepilotaloneyoucanalreadyseetheendlessopportunityforstory-telling,for
buildingamemorablesupportingcast,andfordeliveringaseriesthataudiencesonbroadcast
orcablewillfallinlovewith.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
9
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
DENMARKbyRobbieRobertson
HOUSEOFCARDSmeetsHAMLET
AyoungsoldierreturninghomefromWorldWarIItoattendhismurderedfather’sfuneral
discoversthatnotonlyhashisuncleusurpedhisfather’sseatontheSenate,butthathemay
haveplayedapartinthemurderitself.
GENRE: Drama|Mystery|Period
WHYTOREAD: AsabeautifullycraftedspinonShakespeare’sHAMLETsetinthedeepsouthduringWorld
WarII,thispilotdeliversimpeccablyrichcharacters,astunninglyvisualsetting,andaunique
opportunitytoexplorestoriesbigandsmallasthefamilydramasandthedramaoftheworld
clashtogether.Withimpeccablecharacterization,fascinatinghistoricaldetail,andahintof
SouthernGothic,thispiloteasilytransposesthepoliticalandpsychologicaldreadofthe
originaltoanew,butnolessmemorable,setting.Withvividimageryandsubjectsof
governmentmoralsstillapplicabletoday,thispilotoffersanewandendlesslyentertaining
insightintoaclassic.
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DEVIL’SBROKER,THEbyMatthewKennedy
LUCIFERmeetsRAYDONOVAN
Amanwhosoldhissoultothedevil150yearsagoandbecamethebrokerforthedevilis
startingtohaveacrisisoffaith,andnowmusttalkthoselookingtomakethesamedealhedid
outofitinanattempttowinhisownsoulback.
GENRE: Drama|Supernatural
WHYTOREAD: AsamoderndayspinonFaust’sMephistopheles,moralcomplexityaboundsinthisfun,
character-drivenpilotaboutangelsanddemons,bothliteralandmetaphorical.Withasharp
andcharismaticleadsteeringtheseries,andanincrediblywellcraftedworldtoplayin,there
isboundlessopportunityforboththisleadandthisseriestobecomeabreakouthit.Witha
wonderfulblendoftongue-in-cheekhumor,apremisefilledwithdramaticpotential,andthe
mergingofwonderfullysharpdialoguewithexcitingvisuals,thispilotcouldlaunchaseries
andastarforanynetwork.
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DIARYOFASOCIOPATHbyValerieBrotski
DEXTERmeetsTHELASTMANONEARTH
Awomanwhorealizeshersociopathicwaysarestartingtogetoutofcontrolmovestoaonepersontouristtraptowninanattempttoescapeherdeadlyimpulses.But,whentheonly
otherinhabitantofthetownsuddenlydies,andtourbusesstartrollinginsherealizesshe
mayhaveaccidentlysetherselfupintheperfectlymurderoussettingshewastryingto
escapeinthefirstplace.
GENRE: Comedy|DarkComedy|Drama
WHYTOREAD: Anincrediblyuniqueblendofquirkycomedyanddevilishlyfundrama,thispilotbalances
rightontherazor’sedgebetweenlaughoutloudand“ohmyGod,didIlaughatthat?”
Interweavinganiconicandirreverentleadcharacterwithawonderfullydelightful
supportingcast,thissmalltowncomedythrillerleavesyouontheedgeofyourseatwith
anticipationasthepagesflyby,teasingthebigseriespotentialineveryscene,anddelivering
arefreshinglyuniquetoneandvoicethatmakesthisamustreadforanyonewholovesgreat
television,greatcharacters,andthechancetolaughevenwhenthingsgetdark.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
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THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
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DOAGAINbyNathanG.Sellers
17AGAINmeetsHOWIMETYOURMOTHER
Whenamanisgiventhechancetorestartfromthebeginningwithalloftheknowledgeofthe
lifeheleftbehind,hedecidestochroniclehishighschooladventuresasheattemptstoright
thewrongsofhispast,oftenwithhilariousresults.
GENRE: Comedy|Drama|Fantasy
WHYTOREAD: Everysinglepersonontheplanethasthoughtofatleastonemomentintheirpastthatthey
wishtheycoulddoover.Thispilottakesthatincrediblyrelatableconceptandspinsitintoa
wonderfullyoriginalseriesthatflirtswithallofthetriumphsandtragediesofhighschoollife.
Drivenbyastronglead,andasupportingcastthatconsistentlydelivers,thisseriesbringsa
distinctivelyoriginalvoiceandamockumentarystyleapproachtoashowthatwillstandout
fromthecrowdonanynetwork.
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DOMESTICbyAlanWartes
HOMELANDmeetsSPOTLIGHT
AfterbeingcoercedintoworkingfortheCIA,aPulitzerPrizewinningjournalistfindshimself
atthecenterofadangerousconspiracytodestroyAmericafromwithin.
GENRE: Drama|Mystery|Thriller
WHYTOREAD: Atatimewhenthelegitimacyofmainstreammediaiscalledintoquestiondaily,andthreat
levelsriseandfallliketheDow,thispilotexpertlyweavestogetherallofthebestelementsof
aconspiracytheorypoliticalthrillerwiththatofaveryrealandveryrawfamilydynamic.
Meshingtheworldsofjournalismanddomesticsecurity,thisseriesprovidesendless
opportunitiestobecomemustwatchtelevision.Anchoredbyastrongfather/sondynamic
andanexceptionallydrawnsetting,everyscenedeliversaperfectblendoftwistsandturns
thatwillhaveyouontheedgeofyourseat,andtalkingabouttheshowlongafterit’saired.
Foracompellingdramaeruptingwithtimelyandrelevantthemes,thisshowhasthepotential
tobecomethetypeofseriesthatsitsconfidentlybetweenshowslikeHOUSEOFCARDSand
HOMELAND.
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DUSKLANDSbyDevinConroy
THEKILLINGmeetsLONGMIRE
Afterahigh-rankingmemberofthetribalcouncilisfounddeadofanapparentsuicide,a
reservationdetectiveinvestigateswhatshebelievescouldbemurderatthehandsofthenew
oilcompanythatisconsumingthelandsaroundthem.
GENRE: Drama|Mystery
WHYTOREAD: Withadeeplyrootedmurdermysteryatitscore,adiverseandfascinatingworldaroundit,
andanincrediblywellcraftedcasttonavigateit,thisstoryjumpsoffthepageinalmostevery
way.Providingagrittyandveryrealsetting,thispilotallowsthelocation,anditsrichhistory,
tobecomeitsowncharacterinthestoryasitworkstoboostthealreadyexceptionallywelldrawnfemaleleadtosomethingofaniconrightoutofthegate.Withanopportunitytobring
tolifeadiversecastoffantasticallywrittensupportingcharacters,andtobuilduponany
numberofplotlinesbrewingbehindthemaininvestigation,thisseriesnotonlyhasthe
potentialtobeahitonbroadcastorcable,butit’soneanaudiencewillbebeggingtobinge.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
11
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
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EVERLEIGHbyMichaelKujak
BOARDWALKEMPIREmeetsCHICAGO
Inthedebaucherousvicedistrictofturn-of-the-centuryChicago,twosisterswhooperateone
ofthemostfamousandexclusivebrothelsintheworldfighttoempowertheirgirlsandkeep
theirbusinessaliveinacitywherecorruptionandpowerrunrampant.
GENRE: Drama|Period
WHYTOREAD: BasedontwoofthemostintriguingreallifefigurestoevercomeoutofChicago,thisseries
presentsanimpeccablelookatthewomenwhowereequalpartspioneersforwomen’srights
astheywerebrilliantbusinesswomen.Playingoverthebeautifullycinematicworldof1900s
Chicago,andburstingattheseamswithadeftlydrawnsupportingcast,thisseriesoffers
endlesspotentialforstorylongbeforethehistoricalprospectscomeintoplay.Withthe
political,civil,andlegalturmoilofthecityallwovenintothetapestryofwhatthisbrothel
standsfor,andwhatispermanentlythreateningtoeruptfromunderthesurface,thisseries
presentsanincrediblyfresh,intelligent,andintriguinglookatthesex,lies,anddramasof
early20thCenturyChicago.
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FACTSbyAlexisPerkins
SPYmeetsTHEDEVILWEARSPRADA
WhentheCIAcalls,youlisten…evenifit’stoleaveyouracclaimedjobasaBroadwaycostume
designertohelpdresssecretagentsintheless-than-glamorousCIAcostumedepartment.
GENRE: Comedy|Spy
WHYTOREAD: Startingwithafantasticallyoriginalpremise,thendressingitwithawonderfully
idiosyncraticsetofcharacters,smartlydrawnhumor,andnon-stopwittydialogueisonlythe
beginningofwhatthispilotdelivers.Addastrongleadingroletalentwillfightover,the
opportunityforadelightfulrevolvingdoorofgueststars,andthepotentialforthisseriesto
diveintoanytypeofoutlandishsituationwithease,andyouhaveacomedystars,networks,
andaudienceswillfightfor.
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FAIRYTALECRIMESbyMeganBacharach
ONCEUPONATIMEmeetsTHEHEAT
Asullen,no-nonsensecopisforcedtoteamupwithbubblyrookieElle(Cinderella),tosolve
crimesinatownmadeupofalltheheroes,villains,andsupportingcharactersoftraditional
fantasytales.Theirfirstcase:thedeathandpotentialmurderofharddrinkingSleeping
Beauty.
GENRE: Comedy(1hr)|Drama|Parody
WHYTOREAD: Themostoriginal,inventive,intelligent,andhumorousfairytalepilotwe’veeverread.
Combiningthewelltreadcharactersweknowandlovewiththatofaweek-to-weekbuddy
copproceduralthatparodiesbothoftheseworldswithease,thisisaseriesthatdeliversright
outofthegate.Withsnappybanter,aclassicgoodcop/badcopdynamic,andamixof
incrediblysmartstory-telling,surprisinglydeepobservations,andimpeccabledelivery,thisis
aseriesthatwillbreakthroughthefairytalefatigueandimmediatelygrabanaudience.
Twists,turns,andtheeagernesstoseewhichnewspinoncharacterswethoughtweknew
andlovedwillmakethismustwatchtelevisionforanynetwork.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
12
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
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FIREHOUSEDOGSbyPhilSingleton
AIRBUDmeetsCHICAGOFIRE
Rescuedfromahorriblefireasapuppy,aGoldenRetrieverwhoaspirestojointheworldfamouscanineunitofhiscity'sfiredepartmentfinallygetsachancetoshowhiscouragewith
theteamwhenabuildinginhisneighborhoodcatchesfire.
GENRE: Animated|Children
WHYTOREAD: Aheartfeltpremiseinfusedwithadorablecharactersandaninspiringmessagethatwillhave
yousaying,“thatwasthecutestthingever”withoutasingleounceofsarcasm.Theenergyof
thisstoryandthesecharactersareinfectious,makingthisthetypeofshowkidsgetexcited
aboutandparentswanttheirkidsexcitedabout.FromthedeterminedpuppyBuzztothe
formerYouTubecatsensationPercy,thecharactersherearelovable,timely,andhilarious.
Thisisthekindofshowanetworkcanairwithconfidence,andanaudiencewillfollowwith
gleeasitexpandsintomerchandising,andblossomswithitsfunandheartfeltpremise.
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FIRSTMAN,THEbyMattJordan
THEWESTWINGmeetsCHUCK
Since1902,ahyperclandestineintelligenceagencyknownastheFirstLadyInitiativehas
workedintotalsecrecyprotectingthenation.Foroveracentury,theresponsibilityhasbeen
passeddownfromFirstLadytoFirstLady…andnowtoHenryJeffries,formerPresidentand
nowAmerica’s“FirstMan.”
GENRE: Action|Comedy|Spy
WHYTOREAD: Abrilliantlyfreshspinonthecomedy/spygenrethattiesahilariouspremisearoundtheclear
parallelsofourreal-lifepoliticallandscapeandpopulatesitwithinventiveanddistinct
characters.Withplentyofexcitingaction,laugh-out-louddialogue,andpoliticalintrigue,this
pilotdeliversashowthatwillkeepyouontheedgeofyourseatonemoment,andlaughing
alongwiththecastthenext.Withanendlesslistofhistoricalmomentstopluckfrom,andthe
excitingwritingfoundwithin,thisisashowthatcoulddeliverforyearsforanetwork,and
winafewawardsalongtheway.
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FLIGHTRISKbyValerieBrotski
MANHATTANmeetsAPOLLO13
Inthe1960s,twoelitefemalepilotsbecomeembroiledinasecretNASAprogramwhichseeks
todeterminewhetherwomenarecapableofbecomingastronauts.
GENRE: Drama|Period
WHYTOREAD: Basedonthekindofuntoldtruestoryofpowerfulhistoricalwomenthattheinternetwilleat
up,thispilotistheperfectmixofsocialrelevance,periodatmosphereandaction-packed
visuals.WithheavyshadesoftheunderdogspacedramaofApollo13orTheMartian,
everyoneisgoingtowanttofightthepoweralongsidethespunkyleads,evenastheyfight
eachother.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
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THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
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FOCUSbyHeidiNyburg
MADMENmeetsMASTERSOFSEX
Asinglemotherfightstobalanceacomplicatedfamilylifeandamale-drivenindustrywhen
shedecidestoteamupwithanengineertosecretlycreatearevolutionarynewmicrochip
processorinthe1970s.
GENRE: Drama
WHYTOREAD: Afascinatingpeekintoatimebeforethetechindustryhadboomedandeverychildoverthe
ageofsixhadasmartphoneandaTwitteraccount.Withexceptionaldialogue,andan
incrediblystrongfemalelead,thisseriesbringstolifeanintimateandfascinatinglookinto
thetechworldofthe‘70sandoffersupplentyofpersonaldramasanddiscussionsonbig
issuegendertopicsintheprocess.Addawell-developedsupportingcast,aneasilyaccessible
story,andarevolutionarynewplanintothemix,andthisshowisaperfectfitforthose
seekingsmarttelevision,greatdrama,andacasttheycanrootfor.
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GENRE: FORBIDDENCITYbyVictoriaRau
MEMOIRSOFAGEISHAmeetsHOUSEOFCARDS
OnherquesttobecometheEmpressofChinainthe19thcentury,wefollowayoungwoman
assherisesfromthelifeofapoorvillagegirlstrugglingtosurvive,toaconcubinefightingto
protectherfamily,toawifestrugglingforrespect,toaleaderhercountrywasnotreadyfor.
Drama
WHYTOREAD: BasedonthelifeofEmpressDowagerCixi,thispilotbeautifullybalancestheroyaland
politicalintrigueofImperialChinawiththatofherpersonalfightforsurvival,amidsta
countryembroiledinwar,famine,andfear.Utilizingexceptionallywell-crafteddialogue,
characters,andvisuals,thisstorydeliversacompellinghumandramathatthewriter
transportsyoutowithsuchease,you’llfeelasthoughyou’vejumpedbackintimeyourself.
TakingplaceduringtheTaipingRebellion,knownasoneofthebloodiestwarsofalltime,the
seriesnevershiesawayfromtheworlditrestsin,allowingtheviolence,sex,murder,and
betrayalstolureyouevendeeperintoastorythatwillenchantandscareyouallinone
breath.ThisisundoubtedlythetypeofshowthatnotonlybalancesworldslikeMemoirsofa
Geisha,HouseofCards,TudorsandMarcoPolo,butmayverywellbebetterthanallofthem.
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GENRE: FRANKIESAVESTHEWORLDbyChristineMcVie
THEMIDDLEmeetsBUFFYTHEVAMPIRESLAYER
Aftergoingoutofherwaytosaveaninnocentbystander,arecentlywidowedandrebelliously
immaturemotheroftwofindsherselfstrugglingtobalanceherquestforalazylifestylewith
thatofthiswholesupernaturalgoodversusevilsecretsocietythingshegotdraggedinto.Oh,
didwealsomentionshemayalsobetheonlypersonwhocansaveusfromtheapocalypse?
Drama|Comedy|Supernatural
WHYTOREAD: ImagineifJessicaJoneswokeuponGilmoregirlsandbecameBFFsandtrainingpartnerswith
Buffy.That,inanutshell,istheperfectlycraftedleadofthisshow.Asifthestoryofasingle
mothergoingbacktoschooltoprovideforherfamilywasn’tenough,thisbrilliantlyselfaware,cynical,andamusingpilotprovidesoneofthemostfun,action-packed,humor-filled
rideswe’veevertaken.Addalittlemagic,consistentlywittydialogue,andtheloomingthreat
oftheapocalypse,andthissomehowneverover-the-topseriesnotonlydeliversmustwatch,
lifeschedulingTV,butitdoessowithacastofcharactersactorswillfighttoplay.
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GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
FREESKATEbyCaitlinMcCarthy
MAKEITORBREAKITmeetsBLACKSWAN
AfteraninjuryforcesayoungfigureskaterfromfulfillingherdreamsofOlympicgold,and
forceshertojointheworldofprofessionaliceshowstopayherbills,shenotonlydiscovers
howcutthroattheprofessionalcircuitcanbe,butthatitmaybetheonlyplacethatcanoffer
heranothershotatgoingforgold.
Drama|Comedy|Sports
WhatBlackSwandidforballet,andEmpiredidformusic,thispilotdoesbeautifullyforfigure
skating.Smart,relatable,complex,andoozingwithdrama,thisisthekindofsoapynewseriesthat
capturesanaudienceandneverletsgo.Withauniquelyfascinatingsetting,andsomeofthemost
richlydrawncharacterswe’veeverseen,thispeekbehindthecurtainofoneofthemost
prestigioussportsintheworldoffersviewersaglimpseataworldthat’sfarmoreprovocativethan
theycouldeverimagine.Cleverlybalancingwittydialoguewithintensedramaandromantic
triangleswithastoryofredemption,thisisashowanynetworklookingtocaptureayounger
audiencewouldfightfor.
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GAME,THEbyJustinJacobs
MR.ROBOTmeetsTHE100
Withthepromiseofatechnicalrevolutionlikenonewe’veeverseenmorethan200video
gamefansareinvitedtotakepartifthelargestvirtualrealityexperienceevercreated.But,
whentherealitiesoftheworldarerevealed,andtherealworldconsequencesstarttotake
hold,thebattlebetweenwhat’srealandwhat’snotbegintoblur.
Drama|Sci-Fi|Thriller
Withatimelyandinstantlycompellingpremise,thispilotbeautifullyintroducesyoutoaworld
you’llfeelsafeandcomfortableinjustbeforeitsweepsitoutfromunderyourfeet.Drivenby
wonderfullyvibrantvisuals,andadiversecastofcharacters,thisisaseriesthatnotonlytoyswith
theworldswewillescapetoinvirtualreality,butitforcesyoutoaskyourselfwhowouldyou
becomeinsideofone.Withabevyofaction,complexdrama,andendlessopportunitiesfor
entertainment,thispilotwillplaytoayoungeraudienceseekingthenextzeitgeist-seizingsci-fiand
characterstofallinlovewithjustasmuchasitwilltoanolderaudiencesearchingforahigh-stakes
drama,andalookintoaworldwe’vebeenpromisedsinceTron.
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GILFsbyKristenBartlett
BROADCITYmeetsTHEGOLDENGIRLS
Afterherhusband’sdeathanewlywidowedgrandmotherescapesherretirementcommunity
andmoveswithherbestfriendtoNewYorktoreclaimthewildyearsofherlifeshemissed
outonduringher50-yearmarriage.
Comedy
Wonderfullymarryingthewildridesofourtwentieswiththeidethatit’snevertoolatetostart
livinghasneverlookedsogood.ImagineaworldwhereBettyWhiteisout-drinkingyouatthebar
thencuttingupthedancefloor,andyou’reonlybeginningtoseewherethisdelightfullyfunnyand
shockinglyemotionaltalewillgo.Withtwosmartlycraftedfemaleleadsnavigatingusthroughthis
emotionallycharged,butdistinctlyquirkycomedy,thereisplentyinhereforeveryone,andnota
singlelaughleftunearned.Surroundingourtwoleadsareagroupofwell-craftedsupporting
characterswhoenhancethefish-out-of-watertale,andhelpusfallinlovewiththehumorandthe
heartthisshowwilldeliverforaudiencesofanyage.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
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THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
GLOBALbyJimGoode&ScottHawthorne
PITCH:
EAGLEEYEmeetsTHEDAYAFTERTOMORROW
LOGLINE:
Aftertenofthewealthiestpeopleontheplanetrevealthey’vecreatedadrugthatwillgrant
immortality,theGovernment’sinvestigationintoitnotonlyrevealsthatthecreationofthis
drugwilldestroytheearth,butthatthenewlyanointed“ten”maynolongercare.
GENRE: Drama|Sci-Fi|Thriller
WHYTOREAD: Politicalandeconomicalintriguecometolifeinthisdeftlycraftedhigh-concepttaleof
morality.Playingwithanoriginalandexcitingpremisethattapsintoallofouranxietiesabout
ultra-powerfulcorporations,classdifferencesandclimatechangethispilothasallthe
makingsofasmart,elevatedandaudience-pleasingsci-fi.Infusedwithastrongensemble
cast,epicvisuals,andfunaction-packedwritingthisisaseriesthatdeliversaction,espionage,
conspiraciesandaplethoraofdramatotapforseasonstocome.
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TITLE:
GMbyThomasLeupp
PITCH:
MONEYBALLmeetsARRESTEDDEVELOPMENT
LOGLINE:
Ayoung,idealisticgeneralmanagertakesoverafailingmajorleaguebaseballclubbeingrun
byanincompetentandridiculousfamily.
GENRE: Comedy|Sports
WHYTOREAD: Mixingthefunofadysfunctionalfamilycomedywiththewackyanticsofaworkplacesitcom
andtheexcitingworldofbaseball,thishilariouspilothasamillionplacestomineitshumor
from.Withagreatstraightmanleadandawildsupportingcast,thishasalltheingredientsof
ashowthatwouldfitonanynetwork'scomedylineup.
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TITLE:
GODKILLERbyJordanDale
PITCH:
ROMEmeetsTHELASTKINGDOM
LOGLINE:
AsthedruidsofancientBritainpreparetocrownanewruler,theyhaveavisionoftheman
whowillonedaybetheirking:asoldierintheapproachingarmy,whohappenstobethe
CenturionwhokilledJesusChrist.Twowarsarecoming:thebattleforpowerandthebattle
forBritainitself.
GENRE: Drama|Fantasy|Period|War
WHYTOREAD: Masterfullywrittenandfocusedaroundaninstantlycompellingprotagonist,thispilothas
enoughaction,drama,andpoliticstosustainmanyseasonsofhighstakesintrigue.The
visualsareendlesslystunning–aboychainedinacrumblingnecropolis,thearmadaof
RomanshipsontheEnglishChannel,thecircleofDruidsraisingthefog,andonlybuildupon
thealreadyaddictivelycompellingshow.Withcharactersyouwillfightfor,storyyouwillbeg
forandworldsyouwillfearfor,thispilotexudesenoughatmosphere,mythandmysticismto
winanyoneover.
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THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
GOINGRENObyElizabethQuinn
PITCH:
BOARDWALKEMPIREmeetsBETTERCALLSAUL
LOGLINE:
In1930sReno,divorcewasaboomingindustryforpeoplelookingtorunawayfromtheir
mistakes.But,whenonewomandiscoversherhusbandhasalreadyfoundawaytocheather
outofeverythingsheowns,insteadofrunningbacktoanoldlifeshenevertrulyloved,she
decidestoreinventherselfinacitythatstillhonorsitsfrontierrootsandvices.
GENRE: Drama|Period
WHYTOREAD: Byutilizingauniquesetting,timeperiod,andstorytotacklethemesofgender,marriage,and
theendlesslyrelatableideaself-discovery,thispilotnotonlyentertains,butdoessoinsuch
anintoxicatingmannerthatviewerswillbeclamoringformorethesecondtheendcredits
role.Afantasticfemaleleadguidesusonajourneythatbalancestheseedyunderbellyof
Reno’scrimeandprostitutionwiththatofthepersonaldramasandromancesofthenewlife
she’stryingtomakeforherself.Withgreatdialogue,astrongsupportingcast,andendless
opportunitiesfordrama,thisshowcouldhaveallofusfallingforReno.
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TITLE:
HIGHGATEbyJ.ElizabethMartin
PITCH:
PENNYDREADFULmeetsTHEPRESTIGE
LOGLINE:
InVictorianLondon,ayoungwomanistargetedbyasataniccultforpowersshedoesn't
understand,whilehermagicianbrothertriestosaveherwiththehelpofavampireandhis
crew.
GENRE: Drama|Supernatural|Period
WHYTOREAD: Setinthefog-soakedstreetsofVictorianLondon,thisisgothichorroratitsbest.Packedwith
compellingcharactersandspookyperiodatmosphere,thispilotcomesatitssupernatural
themeswithemotionandintelligence,deftlyjuxtaposingtheprotagonist'sjobasastage
magicianandtherealsupernaturalforceschasinghimtoahumorousandintriguingeffect.
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HOWJANEAUSTENRUINEDMYLIFEbyTeresaWarner
AWKWARDmeetsUNDECLARED
LOGLINE:
AJaneAusten-obsessedfreshmannavigateshernewcollegeworldwhiletryingtofigureout
hownottobeinlovewithherbestfriend.
GENRE: Comedy|Drama
WHYTOREAD: Mininganunderexploredcollegesettingforamixtureofdramaandhumor,thispilottakesits
literaryinspirationlightlyenoughtoprovideanIPbackgroundwithoutalienatinganynonreaders.Theexpertmixtureofcollegedrama,absurdistfantasiesandromanticcomedy
tropesmakesthisacontendertobethenextbigmetacomedyhitintheveinofCrazyExGirlfriendorJaneTheVirgin.
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THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
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GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
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INQUISITIONbyStephenHaynes
THETUDORSmeetsGAMEOFTHRONES
DuringtheSpanishInquisition,agroupofdevilworshippersthreatenstooverthrowthefragile
regimeofQueenIsabella,whohavingdenouncedwitchcraftasimaginary,mustnowdealwiththe
CatholicChurch’scallforawitch-hunt,herpeople’scallforsafety,andthenewenemieswhohave
infiltratedallaspectsofhernewgovernment.
Drama|Period|Supernatural
Beautifullycraftedfromitsvisualsanditscharacters,toitsdramaanditsintrigue,thispilotoffersa
fascinatingglimpseataperiodoftimerarelyseen.WithitsMedievalRedScare,areligionhellbent
oncleansing,andacountryconsumedbyfear,thisserieshasnoshortageofhistoricaltalesand
mythstopullfrom.Complex,anddistinctivelydrawncharactersnavigatethepagesofthis
atmosphericandsuspensefilledread,whilestunningandoftenepicscenesgiveusaglimpseatthe
supernatural,paranoia,andviolenceofthisera.Witharecipefilledwithaction,drama,sex,and
fearthisisashowthatwillnotonlybeacompetitortotheGameofThrones,butonethatcould
verywellbecomethenewQueen.
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ITHACAbyMikeDeCaro
ROMEmeetsHOUSEOFCARDS
AftertwentyyearsofwarandexileOdysseusreturnshometofindhiskingdomstolenfromhim,
hispeopleturnedagainsthim,andhisnamenowacrimetoutter.Now,inordertosurviveand
reclaimtheworldhebuilthemustnavigatethecorruption,politicsandviolenceofakingdomthat
replacedhim.
Adventure|Drama|Period
Aninventivelycaptivating,visuallystunninganddelightfullycomplexspinonHomer’sThe
Odyssey.Weavingacombustiblecombinationofpoliticalintrigue,vibrantaction,andintelligent
dialogue,thispilotdoesanexceptionaljobofbringingamodernspintoawell-worntale,allthe
whilehonoringitsswordandsandalroots.Withnoshortageofdrama,espionageandtreachery
promisedfromthefirstpagesofthispilot,wecanalreadytellthisorigin-storypromisesseasonsof
storytoplaythroughlongbeforereachtheconclusionweallknowiscoming.Offeringaninsightful
lookataclassiccharacter,andprovidinganelevatedspinonthepolitics,relationshipsandviolence
hemustnavigatetoreclaimhiskingdom,thisshowwillquencheventhemostdramaticthirstof
fans,whilealsoprovidingroomforreimaginedcharacterswethoughtwe’dknewandplotlines
we’dlongforgot.
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LADYMERCYbyEliSamuel
GREY’SANATOMYmeetsSIXFEETUNDER
Hauntedbythedeathofherdaughter,arecentlydivorceddoctorexploresthedepthsbetweenlife
anddeathasshesetsouttoopenthefirstevereuthanasiaclinic-openingthedoorsforterminally
illpatientstodiewithdignity,andhopingtorediscoverherownpassionforlife.
Drama|Medical
Engaging,thought-provoking,andendlesslycaptivating,thisisthetypeofpilotthathasthe
potentialtobecomealong-runningandgroundbreakinghitwithanynetwork.Withadynamicand
multi-layeredlead,vibrantvisualsanddiligentlycrafteddialogue,thisseriespropelsusintoastory
brimmingwithintelligence,heart,passionanddrama.Poignantlycompelling,andmasterfully
crafted,thestorynevershiesawayfromitsambitiousthemes,andconsistentlyprovidesalookinto
theheartsandmindsofeachofitsdiversecharacters.Equallyupliftingandgut-wrenching,this
seriesdisplaysabloomingarrayofemotionallycharged,endearinglyintimate,andeternally
optimisticmoments,evenintimesoflifeanddeath.Thisisastorythatwillwinawards,spark
debate,andeveninaworldwithnoeasyanswers,itwillconsistentlyreturntogiveviewershope.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
18
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
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LONGSHOT,THEbyTomCarter
VEEPmeetsPARKSANDREC
WhenthecorruptLieutenantGovernorandineptGovernorofSouthCarolinagetintoa
heatedpoliticalrace,thewomanwhomanagestheGovernor'smansiondecidesshe’sgoingto
runagainstbothofthem.
GENRE: Comedy|Political
WHYTOREAD: Takingaheartfeltandoptimisticallyhilariouslookatelections,thispilotdeliversafreshspin
onpoliticalcomedy,anddeliversauniquelyinvitingworkplacecomedyintheprocess.With
anambitiousandexcitingfemaleleadatthefront,andagroupofquirkycharacters
surroundingher,thisseriesdeftlybalancestangibleandtopicalthemeswiththatofthe
joyfullyuniquepremiseofthreepeoplerunningagainsteachother,allunderthesameroof.
Blendingfamilylifewithwork,andpoliticswithfriendships,andwatchingastheyallfightfor
thespotlight,thisshowoffersarelatableconceptatitscore,butadelightfullycraftedseries
ofnonstoplaughs,guestappearances,andheartfeltmomentsonitssleeve.
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LOWLIVESbyAlyssaDiMari
DON’TTRUSTTHEB****INAPARTMENT23meetsENTOURAGE
Whentwodesperate,yetentitledsiblingsarethreatenedwithlosingtheirluxuryapartment
andthelazylifestylethey’vecometolove,theysetouttojoinacelebrityentourage,butfind
theonlypersonwillingtohelpthemistheirnerdyformerclassmatewhobecamean
overnighttechmillionaire.
GENRE: Comedy
WHYTOREAD: Sometimesthere’snothingbetterthanwatchingterriblepeopledoterriblethingsinthename
ofcomedy.Wonderfullydivingintoapoolfilledwithcynicism,selfishness,andmanipulation,
thiscleverlydrawncomedynotonlyofferssomeofthemostcreativeuseofinsultswe’veever
read,butitdoessoviaasetofsurprisinglycomplex,yethilariouslybitingleads.Deliciously
navigatingthatfinelinebetweenapatheticandasshole,thisseriestakesapagefromshows
likeVeeporItsAlwaysSunnyinPhiladelphiaandoffersupaworldwherewit,intelligence,
andsharpdialogueareonfulldisplayregardlessofhowlikeablethecharacters.Atitscore,
thishilariouslyaddictingpremiseandskillfullycraftedserieswillnotonlydelveintothe
worldsofcelebritycultureandmillennialstagnation,butitwilldosoinsuchawaythatfans
willscreamoutformore.
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LOYALTYbyJamesL.Head
THESOPRANOSmeetsTHEDEPARTED
ThesonofoneofNewYork'sbiggestcrimebossesdoesdoubletimeasaCIAagent,buthis
delicatebalancecomesunderthreatwhentheNYPDdecidestosendayoungofficer
undercovertotakethefamilydown.
GENRE: Drama|Crime|Thriller
WHYTOREAD: Anincrediblycommercialpremisethatcombinesthebestaspectsofamobdramawiththe
funofanundercoverCIAthriller,thispilotcouldeasilyfitonanynetworkorcablelineup.
Withgreatdialogue,astrongensemble,andacomplexprotagonistwhosedoublelifemakes
himthekindofroleanyactorwouldkilltoplay,thispilotshouldhavenotroublegettingset
upandstayingonTVforyears.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
19
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
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GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
MADISONS,THEbyNoraNolan
ARRESTEDDEVELOPMENTmeetsCASUAL
Afterthedeathoftheirfather,fourdysfunctionalsiblingswhoseindividuallivesarein
shamblesdiscoverthatinordertoinheritthefamily’swealththey’regoingtohavetoallhave
toliveinthefamilybeachhousetogetherforanentireyear.
Comedy
Anewtwistonthefamiliar,andyetwhollyrelatabledysfunctionalfamilypremise.Thispilot
focusesonfoursiblingswhogetalongwitheachotherfairlywell,butwhonomattertheapproach,
justcan’tseemtomanagetheirpersonallives.Ratherthanrelyingonbickeringandbullyingas
mostfamilysitcomsdo,thehumorherecomesfromfailedattemptsatself-improvement,andthe
optimismthattomorrowwillalwaysbeanewday.Builtaroundagroupoffullyformedand
distinctlyuniquecharactersthatleapoffthepageandacontainedsettingthatoffersendless
opportunitytomakethisproducibleforanynetwork,thisisaseriesthatwonderfullybalancesthe
absurdwiththehilariousinsideofadelightfullylight,yetimmenselyentertainingseries.
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TITLE:
MOTHER,THEbyLauraBensick
PITCH:
LOGLINE:
GENRE: RECTIFYmeetsTHEKILLING
Thirteenyearsafterbeingaccused,andacceptingtheguiltformurderingherdaughterduring
anepisodeofpostpartumpsychosis,awomanwhoisreleasedbackintotheworldsetsoutto
regainthetrustofherfamilyandliveanormallife.But,whenshediscoversevidencethat
mayproveshenevercommittedthecrime,shebeginstoquestionherownsanity,andthe
trustofthosearoundher.
Drama|Mystery|Thriller
WHYTOREAD:
Acaptivatingslowburntalethatsimmerswithdrama,secretsofthepast,andthehorrorsofnever
knowingifyou’reincontrol.Neverveeringawayfromthedarkness,thispilotdeliversan
incrediblycompellinglead,andletsherwonderthroughthewatersofdepression,murder,guilt,
andaquestforinnocencethatmaynevercome.Anundeniablycomplexbreakoutleadsteersus
throughastorythatisdeliveredviaimpeccablecharacterwork,deftlydrawndialogue,anda
terrifyinglyrealsetting.Withnoshortageoftwistandturns,tensefamilialdramas,anda
cliffhangerthatfeelsgenuinelyshocking,butentirelyearned,thisisashowthatwillkeepviewers
talking,andratingssizzling.
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GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
MOVEONbyJordanToronto&MattToronto
NEWGIRLmeetsGHOST
Ayearafterherhusband'sdeath,asociallyawkwardwomanwhoisfinallyreadytoput
herselfoutthereagain,comestodiscoverthatnotonlycansheseeherdeadhusbandnow,
butthathewilldoanythinginhispowertokeepherfromfindingtruelove.
Comedy|Supernatural
Funny,funny,funny!Aninventive,quickreadthatbringsacharminglyhighconceptideaintoa
cleverlytold,andastoundinglyentertainingcomedy.Withadynamicallycraftedlead,anda
supportingcastthatelevateseveryscene,thisserieshasnoshortageofhumor,drama,orstoryto
playwith.Effortlesslymeshingtheconceptsoflovelostandlovefoundintoaverysimplestoryofa
womanlookingforlove,thisshowcapturesanexcitinglyfreshtakeonafamiliarideaanddelivers
alaughoutloudnewcomedythatisattimesuproariousandexceedinglyhuman.Factorintheidea
thatherquestforloveisnowlitteredwiththeapprovalofherbestfriendandherdeadhusband,
andthischaracter-drivencomedywillimmediatelyearntheloveofanyonewhohasnavigatedthe
absurditiesandtragediesofdatingtoday.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
20
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
NEWYORKNATIONbyJudithLutz
PITCH:
SCANDALmeetsSUITS
LOGLINE:
ANewYorkneighborhoodattemptstofightgentrificationbyinvokingcenturies-oldmaps
thatsuggesttheymayneverhavebeenincorporatedintotheUnitedStatesatall.
GENRE: Drama|Political
WHYTOREAD: Thekindofpremisesosmartandoriginalthatyoucan'thelpbutwishyou'dthoughtofit,this
pilottakesawildlyinventivelookatpoliticaldramabyliterallybuildingawholenewcountry
torun.ThatcountryjusthappenstobeinthemiddleofManhattan.Withlovableleads,
hilarioustwistsanddramaticturns,there'snoendtothestorytellingpotentialforthispilot.
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TITLE:
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NEWSPERSONbyMichaelDrake
THENEWSROOMmeetsTHEOFFICE
LOGLINE:
Anagingreportermustsearchfornewemploymentaftertheprestigiouspaperhe'sworked
atforyearsclosesdown.Whenheendsupataclickbaitwebsite,he'shellbentonreporting
storiesthatmatter,whateverthecost.
GENRE: Comedy
WHYTOREAD: Capitalizingonthegenerationalgapbetweentraditionaljournalismandthesocialmediaera
foritsintelligenthumor,thispilotmanagestofindjokesforbothyoungandoldalikeinits
funtwo-handerstructure.Withagreatleadcharacterthattranscendsthegrumpyoldman
stereotype,thisisthekindofprotagonistrolethatcoulddrawA-listtalenttoanetwork
sitcom,andallowthemtoplayinafunandinvitingmillennialsitcom.
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TITLE:
NOIZE,THEbyMarcusReeves&RonkeIdowuReeves
PITCH:
EMPIREmeetsSTRAIGHTOUTTACOMPTON
LOGLINE:
GENRE: Inthemid-90s,asuccessfulyoungwritertryingtolaunchanewmusicmagazinefocusedon
theriseofhip-hop,findsbothhispersonallife,andthatofthemagazinethreatenedbythe
turbulentworldandtimestheysetouttocover.
Drama|Music
WHYTOREAD: MeshingtheworldsandcharactersofAlmostFamous,EmpireandVinylintoamagnificently
spunnewdrama,thispilotnotonlyoffersanintriguinglyoriginalseries,butonethatallows
thecharactersandtheeraachancetoshinelikeneverbefore.Withajournalisticspinintoa
periodofhip-hopthatdominatedthemarket,thisshowprovidesendlessopportunitytonot
onlypullfromthehistoryweknow,buttofollowitscharactersthroughthepersonaland
financialstrugglesoftryingtolaunchamagazinetheworldmaynotbereadyfor.Attimes
immenselydramatic,fantasticallyentertaining,andbrimmingwithsoundtrackpotential,this
isthetypeofshowthatcanhighlightamovementandwinviewerslookingforthatlostsense
ofnostalgiaaswellasthoselookingforabrilliantdramathathasbeenremixedforthemever
since.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
21
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
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ONEAMERICAN’SODYSSEYbyErikVWolter
THEMANINTHEHIGHCASTLEmeetsGOODNIGHTANDGOODLUCK
WhenhisfatherisaccusedofhavingNazisympathiesduringWorldWarII,ayoung
GermanAmericanmustendurethescrutinyofhisentirecommunity.
GENRE: Drama|Period
WHYTOREAD: ShowinganintriguingnewsideofWorldWarIIwithstrongresonancetorelevanttopics
likeimmigrationandthetreatmentofminorities,thispilotplaysverywellintothe
currentpoliticalclimate,makingitastrongcontenderforcapturingthezeitgeist.The
perioddetailsareimpeccable,thefamilydynamicsemotionalandbelievable,andthe
leadcharacterisarelatableTrojanHorseintocomplexsubjectmatter.
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ONEWAYORANOTHERbyBenFeuer
ALMOSTFAMOUSmeetsVINYL
Ayoungjournalistinthe70sfollowsanup-and-comingpunkbandwithenoughdrama
tomakeboththemselvesandherfamous.
GENRE: Drama|Music|Period
WHYTOREAD: Overflowingwithrebelliousenergywiththerushof70scounterculture,thispilotfeels
youngandaliveinwaysthatwillsetitapartfrommostshows.Withtwocompellingand
relatableleads,thepalpableNewYorksettingandthepunkrockaesthetic,thispilotis
bothnostalgicandcool,makingitapotentialhitwithbothyoungandoldaudiences.
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LOGLINE:
OTTERSPACEbyNicholasK.Lopez&RussNickel
ADVENTURETIMEmeetsFIREFLY
Aragtaggroupofanimalspacetravelerssetoffintheirshiptorestoreordertothe
universe.
GENRE: Comedy|Animated
WHYTOREAD: Incrediblycute,delightfullyabsurdandundeniablyfun,thispilotistheperfectanimated
kidsshow.Withitsadorableanimalcharacters,heartwarmingmorals,andinventivescifipremise,thisisthekindofshowthatwillgetanewgenerationinterestedinspaceand
sciencefiction.There'snoendtothestorytellingpossibilitieshere,andthesmartwriting
couldmakethisahitwithkidsandadultsalike,alaAdventureTime.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
22
THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
PITCH:
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GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
PAROLEbyThomasLeupp
COMMUNITYmeetsODDCOUPLE
Aftergettingoutonparole,aformerhotshothedgefundmanagerfindshimselfforcedtoworka
minimum-wagejobalongsideagroupofwhackyscrew-upsatthisbrother’sfailingdeli.
Comedy
It’sraretofindapilotthathassuchafullyfleshedoutpremiseandgroupofcharactersthatyou
canimmediatelyseeseasonsofpotential.Thispilotmanagestonotonlysucceedinpullingthatoff,
butdoessoinsuchavibrant,fun-filledmanner,thatyou’realmostangryitdoesn’texistonairyet.
Withadistinctvoice,arapid-firedelivery,andanintroductiontocharactersthatwillofferno
shortageofcomedicmoments,thispilottakestheverybestelementsofshowslike2BrokeGirlsor
It’sAlwaysSunnyinPhiladelphiaandintegratesthemintoaseriesthatisatoncefresh,and
familiar.Utilizingthetwopolaroppositebrothersasacatalystintotheworldoffersusan
opportunitytoseehowdeeptheirsiblingrivalrywillgo,andhowwellthatdramawillplayalong
thesillinessandcynicismtheequallyimpressivesupportingcastwilldeliverweektoweek.
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GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
PHANTASMAGORIAbyJuliaCooperman
PENNYDREADFULmeetsGHOSTBUSTERS
InVictorianLondon,ateamofcharlatanspassthemselvesoffasparanormalinvestigators,onlyto
findrealsupernaturalforcessuddenlyworkingagainstthem.Now,usingeverythingthey’vehave
beenpretendingtoknow,andalittlemagicoftheirown,theymustfightbackagainstthe
encroachingspiritualrevolt.
Drama|Period|Supernatural
Delightfullyentertainingandirresistiblyfun,thispilotdeliversastorythatisbrimmingwithits
suspense,thrillingwithitsaction,dazzlingwithitsmysteriesandaddictivewithitslaughs.With
scaresthatwillkeepyouupatnight,spooksthatwillmakeyouwanttobelieve,andagroupof
charactersthatarebothinventiveandfamiliar,thisseriesdeliversenoughdramaandlevityto
captureanaudiencethatwilldevoureachepisode.Deftlywritten,eachcharacteriscapableof
commandingthescreenwhenalone,butflawlesslycometogetherwhenshared,andeachbrings
theirindividuallyuniquepersonalities,humor,charm,andflawstoaworldbrimmingwith
potential.Asaperfectintroductiontoaseriesthatwilldrivearabidfanbase,thisisashowthat
broadcastwillwant,butcablewillwinwith.
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PHYSICALEDUCATIONbyNanditaSeshadri
FRIDAYNIGHTLIGHTSmeetsAWKWARD
Afterbeingpassedoverforthepositionofheadfootballcoach,afemalePEteacherteamsupwitha
disaffected,yethighlyskilledMuslimgirltohelpherinfiltratethefootballteamandproveonceand
forallthatgirlscannotonlycoach,butcanplayinamale-drivensport.
Comedy|Sports
Clever,edgy,comedicandtimely,thispilotoffersaglimpseatoneofthemostdevelopedand
originalnewvoicesyou’lleverread.Effortlesslydiverse,effectivelypoignantandhysterically
navigated,thisseriesnotonlyintroducesustoaseriesofvibrantandrefreshingcharacters,butit
providesaninvitingandfamiliarlandscapetodoso.Balancinghilariousspuncomedyand
perceptivelysmartdrama,thisisaseriesthatwillappealtoawideaudienceandinvokethought
provokingconversationsbetweenthelaughs.Withafantasticsupportingcastfillingouttheroles,
andanidealisticallynaturaldialogue,thisisashowwithseasonsofstorytoplaywith,andthe
potentialtodealwithintelligentthemesofsexism,racism,andbigotryinawaythatnevercomes
offaspreachy,andconsistentlywinsoverfans.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
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THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
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PICO-UNIONbyMichaelFlores
SINNOMBREmeetsTHEWIRE
ThreesiblingsescapefromcivilwarinElSalvadorandtrytomakeitinLosAngeles.Two
decidetostartanorganizedcrimesyndicate,whiletheothersearchesfornewsofthe
husbandsheleftbehind.
GENRE: Drama|Crime
WHYTOREAD: Tacklingthecontroversialtopicofimmigrationbyemployingasprawlingminoritycastanda
DickensianscopeintheveinofTheWire,thispilotisclearlywrittenbyageniuspuppet
masterwhoknowsexactlywhichstringstopull.TheLatinoperspective,fully-realizedand
diverseportraitofLosAngelesandplotpackedwithactionandintrigueallcombinetocreate
apremiumcabledramathelikesofwhichwehaven'tseenbefore.
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PUBLICRELATIONSbyMelindaMaerker
RAYDONOVANmeetsTHEGOODWIFE
AfterhandlingtheirOscar-winningmother’soutofcontrolpublicscandal,twosisters,onea
lawyer,oneastayathomemom,launchaPRfirmtotacklethemanipulativeworldof
publicityandpoliticstoday’ssocialmedia,TMZ-fueledworldhasbecome.
GENRE: Comedy|Drama
WHYTOREAD: IfSex,LiesandVideotapewereeachreallifecharacters,thisistheworldtheywouldplayin.
Intricatelywoven,anddeftlywritten,thispilotbringstolifetwoincrediblydifferent
charactersandthruststhemintoaworldtheyknownothingabout,butswiftlycometo
realize,thatnoonetrulydoes.Withendlesspotentialforrippedformtheheadlinestories,
andarefreshinglyoriginaltakeontheworld,andthecharactersthatplaywithinit,thisisa
showthathasmasteredabalancebetweentheprovocativeandtheendearing.Bydelivering
tworelatableleadstothestory,we’regivenjustenoughofalookintotheirpersonallivesto
remindusthateveninthisenchantingworldofviralmediaandmassmanipulation,thisisa
refreshinglyhumantale,albeitonefilledwithenoughsex,comedy,dramaandscandalto
quencheventhemostaddictiveappetitesoftoday’saudiences.
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RABBITWARREN,THEbyVivianTse
CHILDRENOFMENmeetsORPHANBLACK
Inaworldobsessedwithsyntheticbodyenhancementsthereexistsasingularpurehuman,
rumoredtobethekeytohumanity’ssalvation.Thequesttocaptureorsavethisyounggirl
ignitesastrugglebetweengovernments,warlords,andthefewwhowishtoprotecther.
GENRE: Drama|Sci-Fi
WHYTOREAD: Highconceptsci-filivesanddiesbyitsabilitytocraftafullyrealizedandinvitingworld,anda
seriesofcharactersthataredeeplyrelatableandengaginginanysetting.Onbothcounts,this
pilotachievesthesemasterfully.Packedwithdazzlingimagery,ambitioustwistsanda
cracklingnarrative,thisstorydeliversaworldfilledwithirresistiblycomplexcharacters,
themesandideas,andallowsthemtoplayinasettingfilledwithdramaticpotential.Witha
conceptsogrand,thoroughlysuspensefulandyetshockinglyrelatablethisserieswillnot
onlycatertothoseseekinginventivelyoriginalsci-fianddeeplyhumancharacter-driven
momentsequally,butitwillleavethemeagerlyawaitingnewepisodeseachweek.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
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THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
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GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
RACHELIIIbyDanielleEvenson&HeatherHuntington
EASYAmeetsELECTION
Wheneccentric,back-bracewearinglonerRachelrealizesshe’llneverwinoverthecoolkids
onherown,sheschemestotakeoverthestudentcouncilandforcethemtoloveher,evenifa
fewaccidentsneedstohappentothoserunningagainsther.
Comedy|Teen
AbrilliantlyinventiveandcomicallycharmingreimaginingofShakespeare’sRichardIII.Withan
eccentricallyoriginal,andcleverlycomedicanti-heroineleadattheforefront,thisseriesdeliversa
delightfulspinonaclassic,whileconsistentlystandingonitsown.Seamlesslyauthentic,yet
exquisitelyover-the-top,thisshowcapturesthebestaspectsofprojectslikeScreamQueensor
Junoandbringstolifethesex-crazed,popcultureaddictedsocialmediaworldoftoday’shigh
schoolwithsuchcommand,thatyou’dthinkthiswriterwascurrentlyinhighschoolthemselves.
Providingafast,fun,andengagingread,thisshowwillimmediatelyconnectwithitstarget
audience,andhasthebreakoutpotentialofbecomingtheshowofagenerationthatoffersplentyof
andscandalouslyintriguingdramatolastforseasonstocome.
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READER’SGROUPGUIDEbyAmeliaSims
MYSO-CALLEDLIFEmeetsTHEO.C.
Agroupofhyper-intelligentandoverlyambitiousfreshmanstruggletoadapttothesharkinfestedwatersofahighschoolmagnetprogramwheretheirdailylivesarefilledbloated
expectations,aviciousrumormill,andthenever-endingcompetitiontobethebest.
Drama|Teen
Oneofthemostrealistichighschooldramasyouwilleverread.Bitinglyoriginal,andhonest,thisis
aseriesthatwillnotonlyofferaminimumoffouryearsofpowerfulandrelatabledrama,buthas
thepotentialtokickstartthecareersofallthoseinvolvedinthesamewayFreaksandGeeksdidall
thoseyearsago.Masterfullydrawncharactersofferindividuallyuniqueandrelatableperspectives
astheyeachattempttonavigatethisnewworld,andintegrateintothebiggerstorybeingtold.
Withbeautifullycrafteddrama,sparklingdialogue,andunwaveringemotions,thisserieswill
immediatelybeafavoriteamongyouth-drivenaudiences,butwillgrowfarbeyondthatasthe
showexpands,andviewersseemoreandmoreofthemselveswithin.Brisklytold,relevantand
poignant,thispilotmagnificentlytowsthelinebetweensoapycoming-of-agetale,insightful
characterstudyandendlesslyentertainingdrama.
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RECONSTRUCTIONbySarahKraus
MERCYSTREETmeetsNORTHANDSOUTH
ArevisionisthistorythatseesapostCivilWarConfederacyonthebrinkofdissolvingand
forcedtoelectafemalepresident,whonotonlysetsouttobroadentheirhorizons,buttolead
acoalitionofwomenandformerslavestorebuildthenation.
Drama|Period|Political|War
WiththebreakoutsuccessofTheManintheHighCastlealreadyleadingthewayforrevisionist
history,thispilotnotonlysetsitselfuptofollowinthosefootsteps,butitjustmayofferamore
impactfulanddazzlinglyinventivedramaintheprocess.ByfocusingontheConfederatesideofthe
CivilWar,thispilottakesauniqueandmorallycomplexangleonhistory,andalmostimmediately
spinsitonitshead.Withanunwaveringlyboldfemaleleadpavingthewayforthisstory,anda
seriesofexplosivedecisionsforeverchangingthefoundationsofwhatthisplaceintimeoncestood
for,thispilotbecomesatippingpointforwhatissuretobeirresistibledrama.
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PRESENTEDBYTHELAUNCHPADPILOTCOMPETITION
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THETOP100PILOTSOF2016
TITLE:
PITCH:
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REDRIVERSbyHelenTruong&NaomiBaum
X-FILESmeetsTRUEDETECTIVE
WhenaskepticalNYPDdetectiveistransferredtoNewOrleans,hefindshimselfforcedto
teamupwithalocalwomanwithahistoryinvoodootoinvestigateaseriesofritualistic
murders.But,asthecasestartstounraveltheyfindtheircluesleadingthemdeeperinto
somethingeventhestrongestoccultbelievercan’timagine.
GENRE: Drama|Crime|Supernatural
WHYTOREAD: Theatmosphereofthispilotsowonderfullycapturesasettingsostronglyrootedintheoccult
thatonecouldalmostforgethowbeautifullythewriterbringstolifeanunnervingdrama
filledwithsuspenseandfear.Navigatedbytwobrilliantlycraftedleads,thisseriesintroduces
aworldfamiliarandbrazenlyuniqueatthesametime,andprovidesaseriesworthof
supernaturalintrigueandcomplexdramainjustthepilotalone.Playingatoddswithone
another,thistwo-handedthrillerinvitesanaudienceintoseetheworldthroughtheireyes,
asthenormalbecomestheabnormal,andthediscoveriesbecomethingsofnightmares.
Masterfullydrawn,thesettingmergeswiththedialoguetoofferarivetingandfastpaced
proceduralthatdeliversenoughdramatowinyouover,butteasesmorearoundeachcorner.
Builtforbroadcast,orcable,thisisaseriesthatremindsyouthatthingsgobumpinthenight,
andsometimesitsbesttolookforthem.
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RENTALbyAdamBeal
THAT70sSHOWmeetsBREAKINGBAD
Withhismovierentalshopfailingandevictionimminent,afathermustfallbackonthelifeof
crimehethoughthe'dleftbehind.
GENRE: Comedy,Drama
WHYTOREAD: Likesomanyofthebestsitcomsbeforeit,thispilotfindsitshumorinafantasticsetting
packedwithwildcharactersandthepotentialforevenwilderstories.Thevideorentalstore
inthe1980snotonlyallowsustoindulgeour80snostalgia,butbringsinanabsurdensemble
ofstrangecharacterstoplaywith.Ontopofthat,thispilotaddsinamysteriouscriminal
backstoryforitsprotagonist,whichhelpsbothenhanceandelevatethisseriesintothekind
oflayeredcomedyanynetworkwouldlovetohave.
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RIKERbyChristopherLee
HOUSEmeetsHOWTOGETAWAYWITHMURDER
Arenownedcriminologyprofessorenlistsateamofgraduatestudentstohelpcrackthecases
policehavefailedtosolve.But,onecriminalhecan’t–orwon’tcatch,justmaybetheperson
closesttohim.
GENRE: Drama|Crime|Thriller
WHYTOREAD: Anexpertlycraftedcrimethrillerthatgorgeouslyblendsafamiliarlydramaticcrimeformula
structurewiththatofanintriguingandcaptivatinglyentertainingserialkillerthrillerthatwill
teeupseasonsofproceduralizedserialdrama.Centeredonaleadthatdelicatelybalanceshis
invitingappearancewiththatofhisdarkfascinationsandcomplexhistory,thisseriesdoesa
brilliantjobofbouncingbetweenthedynamiccastthatfillsouttheensemble,andthe
rivetingtalesbeinguncoveredeachweek.Suspenseful,haunting,anddeeplythrilling,the
audiencewillliveontheedgeoftheirseatswitheachword,andwhicheveractorstepsinto
theleadrolewillownanightoftelevisionforyearstocome.
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GENRE: WHYTOREAD:
ROOTEDbyAdamSchneider
BLOODLINEmeetsSIDEWAYS
Whenherestrangedfamily’swineryisthreatenedbyfinancialruin,onewomanreturnsto
herhometoattempttohelpherfamilystayafloat,butuponherreturnsheunearthsa
decadesoldmysterythatwillnotonlythreatenthefamilybusiness,butthefoundationsof
thefamilyitself.
Drama
Thepinnacleofsuccessfulfamilydramas,thispilottakesasimplepremiseandelevatesitwitha
stunningsettingandbeautifulwriting.Thediverseensembleisimpeccable,witheachandevery
characterdistinctlyuniqueandmasterfullyblendedintothestoryline.Withmoralcomplexities,
deftlycrafteddialogue,andanunnervingsensethattheseeminglyidyllicnatureofevery
conversationandeveryplotpointisonlymomentsfromveeringintotheabyss,thisstoryislayered
inintrigue,brimmingindrama,andconsistentlyteasingtorevealtheinextricabletiesthatbind
thisfamilytogether.WithmysteriesthatunravellikeaRussiannestdoll,andcharacterdriven
examinationsoftruth,relationshipsandmorality,thisshowoffersaninvitinglyentertaining
thrillerintricatelydressedupinarelatablefamilydrama.
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RULESOFBUSINESS,THEbyGaryComerford
SILICONVALLEYmeetsGREY’SANATOMY
Whenthethreepartnersofafast-expandingtechcompanydisagreeonthedirectionofthe
company,cantheircompany,letalonefriendshipsandrelationshipssurvivetheinternal
bickering,corporateespionageandpersonalblackmailsthatthreatentobreakitapart?
Drama
Withdistinctive,snappydialoguethatperfectlysetsupeachandeverycharacter,aswellas
creativevisualrepresentationsofcodingandcomputerlanguagethatmakestheworldinvitingly
accessibleandfresh,thispilotnotonlyentertainsoneverypage,butitsomehowmakesyoufeel
smarterjustbyreadingit.Mixingthethrillsofbusinesscompetitionandtheinternaldebatesof
whatsuccesstrulymeansthisstorybalancestheuniquelycraftedkaleidoscopeofcharacterswith
thefunsoapyrelationshipsandtheintimatebetrayalstheysharetokeepeverymoment
entertaining,yetdrama-filled.Withacleverintroductiontoaseriesfilledwithstorylinestomine,
thisisashowthataudienceswillflockto,andbroadcastorcablecouldbuildanightaround.
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SAMObySamuelOh
FRESHOFFTHEBOATmeetsDEADLIKEME
Afterasuccessfulbraintumorremovaltakeshimoutofschoolforanentireyear,ateennow
takesonthe“toughest”taskofhislife–integratingintoanewschool.Copingwithsocial
anxieties,tryingtomakenewfriends,andtryingnottobecometheclassloserarehard
enoughtasks,butfactorinthefactthathemayormaynotbeseeingtheGrimReaper
everyday,andwell…it’sgoingtobeatoughyear.
Comedy|Drama|Teen
Endlesslyintriguingandvibrantlyoriginal,thepremiseofthisseriescanonlybeoutdonebythe
writersirresistiblyfreshnewvoice.Builtaroundacharacterthatischarminglyoriginalandyet
tragicallyfamiliar(forhim),thispilotoffersahilariousnewspinonyourhighschoolyearsasseen
throughthedeadpanpersonality,andperhapsexceedinglyvividimaginationofourlead.Witha
masterfulmixofcomedyandveryrealemotionalbeats,thishyper-originaltalesucceedsin
balancingthecreepyconceptsofdeath,withwittydialogue,cleverjokes,andacreativecoming-ofagetalethatwillcaptureayouth-drivenaudiencefromallwalksoflife.
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SECRET&CONFIDENTIALbyBenMaraniss
THEAMERICANSmeetsTRUEDETECTIVE
In1976,federalagentsinvestigatethemurderofakeywitnesstotheWatergatescandal,butas
theyinterviewthreeotherkeywitnesses,theinterweavingtalesunearthaseriesofclassified
governmentmissions,partnershipsbetweentheCIAandthemob,andasecretassassinationplot
coordinatedbythePresidentoftheUnitedStates.
Drama|Period|Thriller
Tenselydrawndramaatitsfinest.Withawonderfullywovenseriesoftalesspuntogetherto
deciphermysteriesofespionage,politicalpower,conspiracytheories,murder,assassinationand
foreignpolicy,thisisaseriesexplodingwithdrama,andlinedwithsomeofthemostintriguing
characterstelevisionwilleversee.Fromthefast-pacedthrillstotheslowburnreveals,andallof
thecomplexitiesinbetween,thiswriterprovidesavividlydetailed,andincrediblywellresearched
storythatwillimmediatelybecomeaddictivetelevision.Balancingthetruestoryelementswe
know,withaworldfullofpotentialoutcomes,andplayersintheconspiraciesprovidedgivesusa
delightfulglimpseintothewhatifsthesecharacterspresent,andalevelofintriguethatwillforce
youtocomebackformore.
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SERPENTUNDER’T,THEbyStephenSimpson
GAMEOFTHRONESmeetsHOUSEOFCARDS
PlayingoutasaprequeltoMacbeth,storyfollowsayoungScottishnoblemannamedMacBethwho
istoldthatthroughthedarkartsofmurder,treacheryanddeceithewillriseuptobecomeKing.
Drama|Period|Supernatural
ThedescriptionofGameofThronesmeetsHouseofCardsissospotonforthisone,thatit’s
uncanny.Gorgeouslywrittenandspellbinding,thispilotintroducesthegreatestaspectsof
Shakespeare’soriginalandinterweavesaneasilyaccessible,andexceedinglyentertainingstoryfull
ofdazzlinglydrawncharactersoldandnewintoacaptivatingdramathat’sbrimmingwithplot.As
muchadrama,asitisapoliticalthriller,andfilledwithelementsoftheboththesupernaturaland
philosophical,thisstorynotonlysucceedsincreatingastorythatseamlesslybridgestowardsthe
originalworks,butincreatingnewandexcitingangles,andperspectivesonthelongestablished
play.Visuallystunning,filledwithvibrantdialogue,andbloomingwithmesmerizingcharacters,
thisthought-provokingtalenotonlyreintroducestheaudiencetoatalethey’llknow,butitgives
themachancetomakeittheirown.
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SHRINKPROOFbyStephenPotts
GREY’SANATOMYmeetsINTREATMENT
NewlyappointedchiefpsychiatricresidentofSt.Christina’sHospitalstrugglestomakehermarkas
shebattlestoearntherespectofherprivilegedandself-obsessedcolleagues,keephermarriage
together,andtrytokeepherlifefromfallingbacktotheimpoverishedworldsheleftbehind.
Drama|Medical
Withapowerhousefemalelead,anintriguingsupportingcast,andnoshortageofaddictivelysoapy
twiststoplaywith,thisisthetypeofmedicaldramathatnotonlystandsout,butbecomesaforce
tobereckonedwithonwhichevernightitairs.Nevershyingawayfrompoliticizedissuesofmental
health,gender,orrace,thisstoryisnotonlytimely,butisdeliveredinsuchanauthentic,honest
andcleverwaythataudienceswillcomeforthedrama,butstayforthebrilliantlycraftedmoments
thatremindusthatabiggerthemeisatplay.Withmorepotentialdramathanashowrunnerwill
knowwhattodowith,thispilotsetsupalloftherelationshipsneededtosustainaseriesfor
decades.Thesocialcommentarywillkeepyouengaged,butit’sthecastofcharactersthatwillkeep
youcomingback.
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SIENAbyAriadnaMartinez
ASSASSIN’SCREEDmeetsTHEBORGIAS
In13thcenturySiena,asecretsocietyofwell-trainedvigilanteskeepsthecitysafe,butthe
arrivaloftheHolyRomanEmperorsignalsthebeginningofaninternalplottobringdownthe
citythelove.
Drama|Action|Period|Thriller
Majesticallyvisualandmasterfullyconstructed,thispilotdeliversacaptivating,emotionally
intimate,andbreathtakinglyepictalefilledwithintelligentlycomplexcharactersandalarming
tensedramathatwillprovideseasonsofperioddramalikenoneyou’veeverseen.Beautifully
choreographedmomentsoffantasticalaction,provocativeromanceandpoliticalintrigueplayout
inthisbreathtakinglyoriginalworld.Visitedthroughtheeyesofourintricateandmultilayered
femalelead,thisseriesaimstoshowcasethethrills,mysteries,andwondersofaworldthreatening
tobetornapartbynewideas,andoneinwhichthesecharactersmustlovefromafaraspartofa
secretsociety.Thisisthetypeofseriesthatwillslakeeventhemostunquenchablethirstfor
drama,action,mysteryanddepth.
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SNARKbyJayReidl
UNREALmeetsNEWSROOM
Tokeeptheircareers,thestaffofagossipnewssitemustsuppresswhatlittleconsciencethey
havetorunthemostruthlessstoriestheycanfind,becausethemoredespicablethecontent,
thehighertheviewcount.
Comedy|Drama
IfTMZ,Buzzfeed,GawkerandUnrealhadababywithHBO’sNewsroom,thisisexactlythekindof
comedyyou’dexpect.Cleverlywrittenandpackedwiththekindofcharactersyoulovetohate,this
pilotprovidesadeeplyintoxicatinglookatthesocialmediamadnessandcelebritycultureour
worldhasbred,andthosewhofindthemselvesresponsiblefordeliveringitonadailybasis.With
itsfun,yetdarkandreferentialhumor,itsrazorsharpdialogue,anditsno-holds-barsocial
commentary,thisisthekindofcomedyaudienceswilltuneintohatewatch,andfindthemselves
fallinginlovewith.WhatUnRealdidforrealityweddings,thispilotdoesforeverypost,list,orlink
you’vebeenclick-baitedinto,butinsteadofleavingyouwithguiltandremorseitleavesyouwith
laughs,anddesiresformore.
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SOCIO-PAMbyRowanWheeler
DON’TTRUSTTHEB*INAPARTMENT23meetsNIGHTCRAWLER
Withthehelpofhersociopathsupportgroup,aproudsociopathattemptstouseherposition
asalocalnewsreportertoadvancethecauseofsociopathseverywhere,butrunsinto
problemswhenshestartstoexperiencethesestupidlittlethingscalled...emotions.
Comedy
Fromtheveryfirstmomentyoumeettheoddlyuniqueandthoroughlycompellingleadofthis
delightfullydarkcomedicseries,you’llfeelasthoughyou’recatchingupwithanoldfriend–albeit
onewhoiswithoutadoubtasociopath.Withitswickedlybitingdialogue,rapidfirepacing,anda
premisethatpromisesseasonsoflaughs,thispilotnotonlyoffersmultiplerolestalentwillfight
for,butdoessoinsuchanoriginallybrilliantway,thatthecast,justastheaudiencewillfind
themselvesmesmerizedbythecomplexitythisshowconsistentlyoffersup.Toyingwithdark
impulsesanddesireseventhemostinnocentofushashadatleastonce,andwatchingastheselfimposedqueenofsociopathsisforcedtodealwiththemnotonlyprovidesplentyoflaughs,butthe
potentialforseasonsofbreakouttelevision.
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SONOFTHEDRAGONbyStevenJonWhritner
DRACULAmeetsGAMEOFTHRONES
Withajourneythatbeginsinthe1400s,asheissentawaytolivewiththeenemyaspartofa
tributetotheOttomanEmpire,thisisalookatthepolitics,wars,love,betrayals,and
bloodlustthatwouldonedayforgethemanwe’dcometoknowthroughouthistoryasVlad
TheImpaler,ormorecommonly-Dracula.
GENRE: Drama|Period
WHYTOREAD: Beautifullycrafted,visuallystunning,andimmenselyentertaining,thisisapilotthatnotonly
deliversonthepage,butthatworksitswayintoyourmindthemomentyoubeginreading.By
weavingataleknownandunknownatthesametimethisstoryprovidesabig,beautiful
cabinetofwondersthatisbyturnsapoliticallychargedthriller,adecisivelycrafteddrama,
andanenchantinghistoricaladventure.Thedisplayofinnocence,andthepromiseofthe
darknesstocomeasourleadgoesontobecomethemanweknowhimasnowisteasedwith
exceptionalfinesseinthepilot,andwillhaveeventhemostunexpectedaudienceeagerly
addictedformore.Byfocusingononeman’sjourney,andthecomplexworldsandcharacters
hewillcometointeractwith,thisstoryallowsaudiencestoimmersethemselvesinthetale,
comingtoempathize,understand,andevenrationalizedecisionsonemustmaketosurvive,
tosavehisfamily,tosavehispeople,orsimplytosavehimself.
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SUGARTOWNbyAmandaToye
FARGOmeetsBREAKINGBAD
Asmalltownisthrownintochaoswhenacorruptpainmanagementcliniccausesan
epidemicdrugproblem.
GENRE: Drama|Thriller
WHYTOREAD: WithheroinepidemicsplaguingmanyareasoftheUS,apilotlikethishastheadvantageof
speakingdirectlytothezeitgeist,andthiswriterclearlyhassomethingtosay.Essentially
BreakingBadifWalterwasanentiresmalltown,thispilotbrilliantlymixesinaspectsof
FargoandTrueDetectivetocreateacompellinganduniquedramathatcouldbethenextbig
thing.
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TARRbyGregoryBernardHirshland
TRUEDETECTIVEmeetsTHEX-FILES
AcoplooksbackonanunsolvedcaseofmissingtwingirlsinJuneau,Alaskawhenoneofthe
girlsmysteriouslyshowsupoveradecadelater...stillalive.
GENRE: Drama|Supernatural|Crime
WHYTOREAD: Combiningthemoodyslow-burnmysteryofTheKillingwiththeotherworldlysci-fiofTheXFiles,thispilotisanewkindofsupernaturalTVdrama,whichtreatsgenrefanswiththesame
levelofintelligenceandrespectastheirmoresociallyacceptablecrimedramapeers.Withan
inventivestructure,attentiontodetailanduniqueAlaskasetting,thisisthekindofpilotthat
standsoutfromthecrowdonwhatevernetworkitlandson.
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THIRDWORLDROYALTYbyMelanieMaras
FRESHOFFTHEBOATmeetsENTOURAGE
AHollywoodpublicistwhoisreadytotakeherrelationshipwithherboyfriendtothenext
levelhasherlifeoverturnedwhenherridiculousfamilyarrivesfromIndonesia,brokeand
needingaplacetostay.
GENRE: Comedy
WHYTOREAD: WiththerecentsuccessofsuchminorityfamilysitcomsasFreshOffTheBoatandBlack-ish,
thispilotisanetworkhitwaitingtohappen,tappingintotheuntoldexperiencesof
immigrantsfromtheworld'sfourth-largestcountryandthereforeanenormousunderserved
market.AnewtakeontheBeverlyHillbilliesstory,thisfish-out-of-waterHollywoodromp
hasnolimittoitscomedicpotential.
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THREADSbyDorothyPecoraroBertram
HOMELANDmeetsQUANTICO
AfteradeadlyterroristattacktakesplaceonAmericansoilandbringshisdepartmentunder
fire,theDirectorofHomelandSecuritylooksintohisdaughter'snewMuslimboyfriend,
unawarethattherealthreatishisownson,whoISISmayberecruiting.
GENRE: Drama|Thriller
WHYTOREAD: Upendingexpectationsateveryturn,thispilotisasmart,provocativethrillerthatnotonly
playsintofearsofhomegrownterrorism,butexploresthemotivationsandcircumstances
thatmayleadaseeminglyinnocentpersondownapathofdestruction.Withapowerhouse
leadwhoiseverybitascomplex,compelling,andcleverasanythathavecomebefore,anda
storylinethatoffersnoshortageofsuspenseasitdeliversenoughmysteries,twists,and
emotionstokeepyouontheedgeofyourseat,andconsistentlycertainofoutcomesthat
disappearinbetrayals.Brimmingwithsecrets,evocativewriting,fast-pacedandfiercelylucid
dialogue,thishasthepotentialtobecomemustwatchTVthemomenttheteaserbegins.
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UNDERTOWbyLindaGe&TravisReilly
THESOPRANOSmeetsREVENGE
FourChinese-Americansiblingsarethrustintotheworldoforganizedcrimeafterthedeath
oftheirkingpinfather.Astheystruggletomaintaincontrolofthefamilybusiness,theyfind
themselvesfacingthreatsfromtheFBI,othermembersofthefamilythatwantthemout,and
possiblyfromoneanother.
GENRE: Drama|Thriller
WHYTOREAD: Anequallyfresh,anddelightfullycompellingnewspinontheworldoforganizedcrime.
ImagineaworldwhereAJandMeadowfromTheSopranosweresuddenlythrustintocontrol,
butatthesametimebeingattackedfromotherfamilies,membersfromwithin,andadeeply
interwovengovernmentagency.Withfourrelatable,yetindividuallyuniquelycomplex
characterssteeringusthroughthebeautifullyvividandgrittyunderworld,thisisapilotthat
deftlymaneuversbetweenthecontainedintimatedramasandthestrategicallylarge-scale
outcomeseachdecisionmayleadthemto.Thesizzlingdialogue,fast-paceddelivery,and
consistentlysmarttwistsdeliverashowpackedwithpotentialforanynetworktotapinto,
andastorylinewithseasonsoffuntoplayin.
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GENRE: UNITYbyLindsayMcRae
BRAVEHEARTmeetsTHESCARLETLETTER
InthebloodywakeoftheBattleofDunbarof1650,agroupofScottishprisonersandtwo
nobleEnglishwomenwho'venarrowlyavoidedexecutionaresenttoBostontoworkas
indenturedservants.Uponarrivaltheyaremetwithharshconditions,tragicdecisions,andan
introductiontoanewworldthatisnolongertheirown.
Drama
WHYTOREAD: Itwouldhavebeeneasytogetlostinsuchanepictale,butinsteadthiswritermasterfully
presentsaprimal,elegant,andbreathtakinglyhonestlookataneralongforgotten.Unfurling
withabroadensembleofbeautifullywritten,achinglyhumancharactersthatdisplayno
shortageofdepthandcomplexity,thispilotpresentsaworldwherenothingisblackorwhite
andeverydecisionwillinviteaudiencestoobsessiveandagonizeover.Withitsvisually
stunningsettingprovidinganatmospheresweepingwithhistoricalcatastrophes,it’sthe
charactersstories,bothpersonalandpoliticalalikethatwillkeepviewerstransfixedfor
seasonstocome,andgivenewmeaningtofoundingofthefreedomswehavetoday.
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UNPLANNEDbyJoanneLee
VEEPmeetsKNOCKEDUP
Aconservativepundithastoremainastaunchvoicerepresentingherpartyasshestruggles
withhermother'sPresidentialcampaign,anaffairwithaliberalSenator,andanunexpected
pregnancy.Allofwhichtestherpolitical,moral,andethicalidealsinanever-changingworld.
Comedy|Political
WHYTOREAD: WithenoughdramatofillaseasonofScandal,andthebitingpoliticalhumorofVeep,this
pilottakesathinly-veiledandwonderfullyfictionalizedversionofFoxNewsanchorMegyn
Kellyandputsherintothreewildlydifferent,yetcompletelyimpossiblesituationsallatonce,
withhilariousresults.Thedialogueissharpandwitty,thecharactersaredynamicand
hilariousandthepilotnotonlydoesagreatjobsettingupplentyofstorylinesforthefuture,
butincraftingaseriesaudienceswillfallfor.Thispilotlivesinaworldwherethetruthis
strangerthanfiction,sotherewillneverbealackoftopicstodiscussorshortageofseasons
aswewatchthesecharacterevolveagainsttheabsurd,circus-likeatmosphereofAmerican
politics.
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GENRE: VALEDICTORIANbyJimmyMosqueda
ELECTIONmeetsPRETTYLITTLELIARS
Atanelitehighschoolwhereacademicsareeverything,a17-year-oldgirlschemestobecome
Valedictorianafterthesuspiciousdeathofherboyfriend,theformernumberonestudent.
Comedy|Drama
WHYTOREAD: SetinacompetitivehighschoolwhereahighclassrankingprovidesVIPstatus,thispilotisan
absurdistdrama,masterfullyconstructedanddarklycomedic;notonlyclever,but
emotionallyastute.Thisisarollercoasterrideofascriptwithaleadcharactersocomplex
thatsheabsolutelycouldhavekilledherboyfriendjusttomoveupintheclassrankings,
whethershe’sawareofitornot.Withmysteries,suspense,andaclassicteenangstbent
aroundeverycorner,thispilothasthepotentialtobeacross-generationalhit.Endlessly
relatablewithoutfallingtoofarintotheteensoapspace,asthesearethecutthroat,straight-A
kidswerarelyseerepresentedonscreen,butwhomeveryoneremembersfromhighschool…
ifyouweren’toneyourself.
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WELCOMETOLASTCHANCEbyKeithStorrier
FARGOmeetsINPLAINSIGHT
InasmalltownwheremostoftheinhabitantsarecriminalsinWitnessProtection,asoonto
bein-over-his-headSheriffdecidestotakejusticeintohisownhands,settingoffaseriesof
murders,anFBIinvestigation,andaresidentialbacklashthreateningtoremindhimofwho
hisneighborsreallyare.
Drama|Comedy|Crime
Anexquisitelycraftedpremisefilledwithoffbeathumor,memorablyquirkycharactersandan
addictivelydelightfulstoryareonlythebeginningofthingstoloveaboutthispilot.Withawild
crimestorythatelicitssimilaritiestoJustified,wereitagloriouslyeccentricdarkcomedy,thisisa
seriesthatcapturesaworldoverflowingwithopportunitiesforourcharactersmysterious
backstories,criminalpasts,andviolentfuturestoplayout.Athoroughlyoriginaltalethatis
wonderfullyengagingandwonderfullyobserved,withidiosyncraticdetailsthatbringthe
characterstolife,andprovidetheperfectsetupforaserializedstorytounfoldwithinaprocedural
structure.
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WHALEOFATIMEbyBrandonBeck
RICKANDMORTYmeetsPINKYANDTHEBRAIN
AfteraccidentlyswallowingaNaziscientistandhistimemachine,agood-naturedwhale
obliviouslyagreestotravelthroughtimetofurthertheplansoftheThirdReich,with
humorousandunexpectedresults.
Comedy|Animated
Clever,edgy,andteeteringsoclosetotheedgeofabsurdity,thatwrittenbyalmostanyoneelsethis
pilotwouldfallunderitsownambitiousweight.Instead,thewriterdoessuchabrilliantjobof
beautifullyweavinganextraordinarilylushandverdantimaginationwithaseriesofover-the-top
themesandshockinglyinsightfulmomentsthatitwouldbeimpossibleforviewersnottofindthese
charactersoddlyendearing.Withnoshortageoftopicsthisseriescanbrazenlydissect,thisisa
showthatwillprovideseasonsofmisadventuresthatwillremindaudienceshowthought
provoking,philosophical,poignantandevencompletelybonkersgreatcomedycanbe.
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WIDOWSbyLauraBensick
DESPERATEHOUSEWIVESmeetsREVENGE
Whenfourwomenalllosetheirhusbandsinonenighttomysteriousaccidents,theseemingly
unconnectedwidowscometogethertoinvestigatethedeathsandprovetheirinnocence.But,
intheprocessofbecomingnewBFFsovermartinihour,cometodiscoverthatoneofthem
mayberesponsiblefortheirhusband’sdeathsafterall.
Drama
Bloodisabitchtogetoutofsilk.Splashy,sexy,soapyandscandalous–primetimedramahasn’t
lookedthisgoodinawhile.Withabeautifullycomplexgroupofcharacters–workaholics,trophy
wives,perfectmomsandpartygirls,thisseriesnotonlycaterstoanincrediblydiverseaudience,
butitshowcasesoneaswell.Deliciouslyaddictive,andbrimmingwithsex,murder,politics,and
intrigue,thisseriesnotonlyspringstominddelightfullyfondmemoriesofDesperateHousewives,
Revenge,orPrettyLittleLiars,butitbringstolifeapremise,mystery,andseriesofcharactersthat
couldgomilesbeyondthose.Withitsmasterfullycrafteddialogueandbrilliantlydangledsuspense
elevatingeveryscene,andtheteaseofthelargermysteryatplay,thispilotisnotonlythekindof
showanetworkwillbuildanightaround,butit’sthekindthatwillwinawards,ratings,andhave
talentfightingtobepartofit.
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GENRE: WORKRELEASEbyPatrickConnelly
THEMILLERSmeetsARRESTEDDEVELOPMENT
Aman'scarefullyorganizedlifeisdisruptedwhenhisirresponsiblefatherisreleasedfrom
prisonandassignedtoaworkreleaseprogramathisson’sjob.Now,afterspendinghisentire
liferebellingagainsthim,hemustaccepthisfatherforwhoheis,orsendhimbacktoprison
fortherestofhislife.
Comedy
WHYTOREAD: Theperfectsitcompremise–simple,clear,andpackedwithpotential.Thedynamic,complex
andunabashedlycomedicrelationshipbetweenthetwoleadsofthispilotcouldwinfansand
heartsinalmostanysetting,butit’stheunconventional,yetimmenselyrelatablesettingthe
writerchoosesthattrulyallowsthestorytoshine.Withdelightfullyexpressivedialogue,a
vibrantsupportingcast,andastoryfilledwithnoshortageofdysfunctionalcomedy,thisisa
seriesthatprovidesendlessopportunityforcleverlydrawnlaughs,andeffortlesslycrafted
momentsofdramaalike.Brimmingwithgueststaropportunities,andanarrativethat
audiencesofallageswilllove,thisisthekindofshowthatpleasantlysurprisesjustasmuch
initsfirstepisodeasitwillinitstenthseason.
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