Skill Profile
Commissioning & Pitching
"The observable action of developing a compelling pitch for a film, television, or media project — articulating the premise, creative vision, audience, commercial potential, and team — and presenting it persuasively to commissioners, financiers, or platform buyers to secure a development or production commission."
YOUR SKILLS
Problems This Skill Solves
- Great projects that never get made because the producer cannot communicate the idea compellingly — a well-structured pitch that articulates what the show is, who it is for, and why it needs to exist now converts creative potential into funded development.
- Pitches that fail because they focus on what the show is rather than why it matters — a pitch that connects the premise to a relevant cultural moment, an underserved audience, or an emerging platform need gives the commissioner a reason to say yes.
- Development relationships that do not progress because the producer does not understand the commissioning context — knowing each broadcaster's and platform's specific editorial priorities, slot requirements, and recent commissioning decisions enables targeted, relevant pitching.
- Projects that get commissioned but fail to retain creative vision — pitching that establishes the producer's creative authority and the key creative parameters of the project before the commission is agreed protects the creative vision through the development process.
Tools Used
Roles That Use This Skill
1 total · 1 industryThis skill is concentrated in one industry.
Film / TV Production / Media
"The best ideas get commissioned — if your idea is good enough, the pitch is secondary."
Commissioning is a human, relationship-dependent process in which the same idea pitched poorly by an unknown producer and well by an experienced producer with a commissioner relationship will have very different outcomes. The pitch is the product being sold in a development meeting — it is not a neutral presentation of an objective quality. Pitch craft, commissioner relationships, understanding of editorial context, and timing relative to platform priorities all significantly influence commissioning outcomes independently of the underlying idea quality.
Research & Outlook
Streaming platform growth created a commissioning boom that significantly increased the number of buyers in the market — but the subsequent streaming rationalisation (Disney+, Netflix budget cuts, Max consolidation) has reduced commissioning volumes in some genres while increasing them in others (international co-production, live events, reality). AI-generated content is beginning to enter commissioning conversations, raising questions about creative authorship and editorial standards. The relationships between producers, commissioners, and talent agencies remain the primary currency of the commissioning market.
See This Skill In Action
Watch a professional demonstrate Commissioning & Pitching in a real working environment — what it looks like, how it's applied, and why it matters.
Film & TV / Media
Commissioning & Pitching
Also Known As
Growth Path
Writes a clear, structured treatment for a project. Delivers a coherent verbal pitch of two to three minutes. Understands the commissioning process and knows the difference between development funding and a production commission.
Pitches projects successfully to development commissioners at broadcasters and streaming platforms. Adapts pitches for different commissioning contexts — different channels, formats, and budget levels. Manages the development process from commission through to production greenlight. Builds ongoing relationships with commissioning editors.
Has a track record of securing commissions from major broadcasters and streaming platforms. Advises other producers on pitch strategy and treatment writing. Represents a production company's development slate at international markets (MIPCOM, Sundance). Contributes to shaping commissioning priorities as a broadcaster or platform executive.
How to Practise
- 1.Write a treatment for a documentary or drama idea — no more than two pages, covering premise, tone, structure, the story you will tell, and why you are the right producer to make it.
- 2.Pitch your treatment out loud in two minutes — practise the verbal pitch until it is fluent, compelling, and leaves the listener wanting to know more, not confused about what the programme is.
- 3.Research a specific commissioning strand (BBC Three, Channel 4 Documentaries, Apple TV+) and write a treatment specifically tailored to that context — demonstrating you understand their editorial priorities and audience.
- 4.Attend pitching workshops or development labs (BFI Network, Screen Scotland, Doc Society, BAFTA Rocliffe) — these provide structured pitch feedback and development expertise that accelerates learning.
How to Prove
- ·Development or production commissions — directly evidencing that pitches have converted to funded projects.
- ·BFI, Channel 4, or public fund development award — demonstrating a project considered compelling enough for public investment.
- ·Speaking credits at industry events (Edinburgh, Sheffield, MIPCOM) — demonstrating a reputation as a producer whose ideas are worth hearing.
- ·Track record of produced and broadcast programming — the most compelling evidence for future commissioning success.