Television pilot facts for kids

A television pilot, often just called a pilot, is a special test episode made to see if a new TV show will be popular enough to be made into a full series. It's like a tryout! If a TV network or cable channel likes the pilot, they might decide to buy the show. Then, the pilot episode might even be shown as the very first episode of the new series. Sometimes, the actors or other details in the pilot are a bit different from the final show. Many pilots are made, but only a few get to be shown on TV, and even fewer become full series. This is because there's a lot of competition between TV networks and producers who want to create the next big hit.

What Is a TV Pilot?

A TV pilot is like a sample of a new television show. It's usually a full episode, often around 20 to 60 minutes long, depending on the type of show. The main goal of a pilot is to show off the idea for the series. It introduces the main characters, the setting, and the kind of stories the show will tell. Think of it as a first impression for TV executives.

Why Are Pilots Made?

Pilots are made for several important reasons. First, they help TV networks decide if they want to invest a lot of money in a new show. Making a full TV series is very expensive, so networks want to be sure it will be successful. A pilot lets them see the show in action before committing to many episodes.

Second, pilots help the creators of the show fine-tune their ideas. They can see what works and what doesn't. Sometimes, after watching a pilot, the creators might change characters, storylines, or even the overall tone of the show. It's a chance to learn and improve.

Third, pilots are used to attract actors and other talent. A well-made pilot can convince famous actors or talented writers and directors to join the project. It gives them a clear idea of what the show will be like.

How a Pilot Becomes a Series

The journey from a pilot to a full TV series is a long one. It starts with an idea, which is then developed into a script.

The Pitch Process

After a script is written, the creators "pitch" their idea to TV networks. This means they present their show concept, hoping to get a network interested. If a network likes the idea, they might order a pilot episode to be made. This is called a "pilot order."

Filming the Pilot

Once a pilot is ordered, it goes into production. This involves casting actors, building sets, filming scenes, and editing the episode. It's just like making a regular TV episode, but with a lot more pressure! The pilot needs to be really good to impress the network.

The Network's Decision

After the pilot is finished, network executives watch it. They consider many things:

• Will this show attract a lot of viewers?
• Is the story interesting and unique?
• Are the actors good?
• Does it fit with the network's other shows?

If the network likes the pilot, they might decide to "pick up" the show. This means they order a full season, usually 10 to 22 episodes. If they don't like it, the pilot is "passed on," and the show doesn't get made. Many pilots are filmed each year, but only a small percentage get picked up.

Types of Pilots

There are different ways pilots can be made and used.

Standalone Pilots

Most pilots are made as standalone episodes. They tell a complete story but also set up the world and characters for future episodes. These are the most common type of pilot.

Presentation Pilots

Sometimes, instead of a full episode, a shorter "presentation" or "proof-of-concept" is made. This is usually just a few scenes or a short film that shows the main idea and characters. It's less expensive to make than a full pilot and is used to get initial interest from networks.

Backdoor Pilots

A "backdoor pilot" is an episode of an existing TV show that is designed to set up a new spin-off series. For example, a popular character from one show might visit a new town, and that episode could serve as a pilot for a show about that character in the new town. If viewers like it, the spin-off might get its own series.

Famous Pilots

Many successful TV shows started with a pilot episode that was later broadcast as their first episode. For example, the very first episode of the hit show Friends was its pilot. The same goes for shows like Seinfeld and The Big Bang Theory. These pilots successfully convinced networks that the shows had potential.

However, there are also many pilots that were made but never aired. These are sometimes called "unaired pilots." They might be leaked online years later, giving fans a peek at what could have been.

See also

In Spanish: Episodio piloto para niños