If you designed your life to be the subject of an
action-comedy movie, and being a former pro-wrestler
turned used-car salesman wasn�t enough� try adding
Hollywood Pitch Man to the list of exploits. Except
this isn�t a movie, it�s reality.
|
"...the
Fox TV Studios
executive who called
me was, and still
is, one of the
nicest people I've
ever met." |
Jon Stewart of Deerfield Illinois
is living this life, and can tell you first hand
�anything is possible if you�re willing to take
calculated risks, and apply dedicated passion�. As a
Writer and member of The Television Writers Vault, Jon is the latest
to have his project chosen for review and now sold
to a major television company,
Fox TV Studios after
being contacted by studio division head for
alternative series, David Martin, who
read his pitch that was archived in The TV Writers
Vault. Martin is now President of a
Avalon USA, a global
production shingle and has since purchased the
project for packaging to produce.
We�re thrilled at the tremendous reception Jon has
received with his project, and our own Scott
Manville took this opportunity to sit down with the
renaissance man to chat about his experiences
breaking into the industry.
Scott Manville: First
off, congratulation on your success. You�ve got
quite an interesting story, tell us a bit about your
background and how you came to writing concepts for
television?
Jon Stewart: I've been a professional wrestler for
20 years (on and off) and because of that
occupation, have always dealt with TV people;
agents, producers, etc. of all shapes and sizes.
With that being said, I always knew that TV people
are always looking for hot ideas for TV shows, and I
knew that if a person can squeeze through the door
with a great pitch....they might be able to sell it.
Scott Manville: When did you first decide to make
the bold choice of marketing an idea for a TV show?
Was this a long time in the making, or a new venture
all together for you?
Jon Stewart: I saw the reality show arena starting
to struggle and I realized that my specific angle
was hot, and that's when I decided to pitch my
story. It really wasn't a long time from conception
to selling the idea.
Scott Manville: Did you have any previous experience
or success at contacting Networks and Production
companies to pitch projects?
Jon Stewart: I've been in the process of selling a
script for about 6 years, so I'm well versed in
dealing with studios and producers.
Scott Manville: Your concept is clearly humorous,
and a subject close to home for you- When did you
first believe that it could translate well into a
television program, and what do you think makes it a
great show?
Jon Stewart: I truly believed that we had a possible
reality show when time after time people kept
telling me that my business needed to be on
television.....it was like a weird karma-type event.
What makes our show a great show is that it shows
real life. Unlike many reality shows where they live
in Hollywood mansions, have unlimited money and
time, our show is about the struggles of a family
and running a retail family business....which is
brutally tough.
Scott Manville: What made you decide to join the TV
Writers Vault for direct marketing of your project
to buyers?
Jon Stewart: I thought that TVWritersVault.com was
an economical and unique avenue to get an idea out
to producers.
Scott Manville: Your project has obviously gotten
the attention it deserves. How long was your project
listed in The TV Writers Vault before the Studio
requested to contact you?
Jon Stewart: Our project was listed for six months
on TV Writers Vault .com when we got a call.
Scott Manville: What was it like to have a major
television studio calling Jon Alan Stewart of
Deerfield, Illinois?
Jon Stewart: Well, I ran for US Congress and with my
years in wrestling, I wasn't overwhelmed or giddy,
but I was really relieved that someone thought about
my project the same way I did. And the FOX executive
who called me at that time was and still is one of
the nicest people I have ever met.
Scott Manville: Do the folks in your hometown
believe what�s going on with you, or do they say,
�Pro wrester�. Used-car salesman�.. Hollywood Pitch
Man�. Of course�?
Jon Stewart: Many people in my life are excited.
I�ve actually played voice mails from the TV
executive, and that really made people in my life
know that something is in the works (laughs).
Scott Manville: Do you have other projects in the
works, or is this a one-time deal for you?
Jon Stewart: I have talked with the TV exec about
three other ideas that are hysterical.
Scott Manville: In discussing your project with the
Studio Executive, did you feel out of your element,
or uninformed in any way?
Jon Stewart: The Studio Executive I am dealing with
is a very non-traditional "Hollywood" type person.
He is patient, honest and very optimistic. He does
not have the typical "negative, guarded" personality
that I have come to see in most people in Hollywood.
All of my family members are grateful that a "human"
being is spear-heading our project.
Scott Manville: How do you feel The
TV Writers Vault and I handled the mediating of the
studio contacting you? Was it a simple process?
Jon Stewart: It was an effortless process......many
thanks to your assistance.
Scott Manville: What advice can you give to new
writers who want to create and market their projects
to the television industry?
Jon Stewart: My advice is simple. Are you 100%
positive that your idea is good, funny, interesting,
original? I always tell people, ask your family and
friends what they think? Try to find someone, on the
periphery of TV (local TV producer, film college
graduate or teacher, cameraman, etc. and ask their
opinion of your project. Believe it or not, I've
found that people love to give you their
"expertise"...so take advantage of it. If you look
hard enough, you can find someone who is willing to
give you 5 or 10 minutes of their precious time.
Scott Manville: Aside from getting your project
picked up by leading production companies or
studios, what feature do you like best about our
service at The TV Writers Vault?
Jon Stewart: Like I said before, I like the cost
compared to what a person can make on their project.
Scott Manville: What can we do to better serve
writers marketing their projects?
Jon Stewart: I would like to see TVWV have a
convention between writers and producers. Kind of
like a matchmaker party.
Scott Manville: How was it dealing with The
Television Writers Vault?
Jon Stewart: First of all, you're a gentleman.
Secondly, I am here to say that there are now 2
normal people in the entertainment industry of
Hollywood....one of them is you. Thirdly, you've
been invaluable as my "go to" guy for questions and
advice. By far, the most valuable commodity.
Scott Manville: We're very happy to have been a part
of your break into the industry, and look forward to
tuning in. Thanks for your time and talent.
