Don’t you keep stumbling across this phrase? Pilot Season? What is it?
Pilot Season is a time in the American entertainment industry when lots of pilot episodes for TV shows are produced for various Networks like Fox, ABC, CBS, etc. These pilots are produced in the hope that the show will be green lit to be broadcast – something the majority of pilots will never get. You may have heard how lots of actors wish to move to L.A. in America for Pilot Season, in the hope of getting picked up for a new network show. The chances of an unrepresented actor getting a gig like that is incredibly slim. And, with the knowledge that lots of work is currently being cast, this is a time when actors are desperately trying to get agents.
The average journeyman actor (with or without representation) getting cast in a pilot is about as possible as Paris Hilton playing Ophelia opposite Patrick Stewart’s Lear. But all is not totally impossible or improbable but let us pray we never have to endure the hotel heiress tripping her tongue upon, “Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides. Who cover faults, at last shame them derides.” Answers for Actors
But, the January is the worst time for anyone to contact an agent let alone try and get representation. In the first week of January, agents are trying to wade through the pile of emails left from the Christmas holidays and trying to catch up with all the new breakdowns sent out by casting directors who are also back to work. Breakdowns are coming in non-stop and agents are currently focusing on getting their current clients seen for various projects, not getting new talent.
So if you’re New Year’s Resolution was to get represented this year, think again before rushing out to send copies of your CV and headshot as the offices open. Do your research and find out what goes on in the offices, and soon you’ll find out when really is the best time to try and get representation.
Industry Bloggers like Answers for Actors, The Struggling Actress, The Casting Corner, The Casting Director, and Casting in the City give readers a good insight to the industry and how it runs. Although most of them are American based industry professionals, what they talk about still relates highly to the UK entertainment industry. There has never been so much information available online and so a good starting place to find out a bit more about the industry would be the links above – so go check them out!