Since my friend would be one of the show's producers I'll let her handle all of that other stuff. She is looking into how much it would cost to license a particular song that I want for the theme music. She said that she should have and answer later today.
I was talking about the pitch to the networks, not you
shooting the pilot. Of course you need to think of budget,
casting, location when you are shooting the pilot.
Oh yeah, in reference to how long it took to say "That's great!", it was six sentences. I would think that the pitch might have to be a tad longer than that. I used to be a successful salesman.
Sales and pitching are very, very different. As a successful
salesman you have some time to build. You don't when
pitching. As a successful salesman you have a product that
can be purchased elsewhere - your job is to get them to buy
from you and not someone else. Pitching a TV show is a one
of a kind product and needs a different method. Do not
confuse the two. Six sentences is perfect. Avoid the desire
to go deeper in an attempt to impress. Most of the time that's
where the writer blows it - thinking that just a little more info
will "make the sale". Your TV producer friend like it in six
sentences. If the network doesn't, another six or eight or
ten won't make a difference.
Now if they say, "We like it. Tell us more." Then you can go
the tad longer. Even then, resist the natural urge to take it
too far. Writers get excited about their projects and can talk
for far too long about it. And someone with your background
of making movies can tend to get into the producing stuff thinking
it will better make your case. I have seen way too many pitches
falter because of that. You used to be a successful salesman - I
bet when I made the salesman/pitch comparisons you rolled your
eyes and lost interest just a tad. You know a lot about sales - I
know less. For your pitch and treatment stay out of the producers
chair.
Right now you have a lot on your hands and your meeting is
coming up soon. Concentrate on your treatment and your presentation
before you put effort into the bible. From experience I can tell you
if they love the concept and ask for a bible they will give you four
to six weeks to deliver.