Good afternoon folks... I have started working on my series bible. I have read a few for shows such as Fargo, Lost, Stranger Things for example so I have an idea of what is required. There's so many different ways of going about this isn't there?
I'm more of a visual kind of person. Is it acceptable to use lots of images? Quite a few of those I've looked at don't really use a lot of images which is making think twice about adding them.
Maybe I'm overthinking the whole thing and should just go for it.
I would be most grateful for any thoughts on the subject.
Thank you and I hope you're having a great weekend:-)
Hope you're having a great weekend too, Rachel White. I used a lot of animated pictures in a show bible I made for my kids' TV show.
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Maurice Vaughan I feel like I can get the tone and feel of it over more effectively using images. I'm finding it quite difficult to find other shows that mine is similar to because it's not a popular subject matter in tv it would seem. I don't know I'm going for it either way it'll alright or very very wrong!!!
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That's why I used a lot of animated pictures, Rachel White. I say go for it.
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The Bible is a selling tool to express and pitch your vision to buyers and producers. If you can find a way to express that vision, fit what buyers are expecting and make it yours (unique), that’s what matters. There’s a funny anecdote about the Lost writers writing a bible for the ABC execs that didn’t really fit what they were planning to do but they knew they had to get the execs onboard and pitched the show as a “case of the week” when it wasn’t. I’m not recommending to be duplicitous but it’s both a creative outlet and a selling tool so it’s good to be inspired the bibles that are out there but don’t feel like you have to stick to those like formal templates. Also, nowadays, buyers lean more and more on already written episodes rather than bibles when writers could sell a pitch. I’ve seen firsthand execs not bothering to read those 30
page bibles. The real bibles should be for the room as a storytelling guide. I prefer pitch decks. you can hit the main points (story engine, arc, arena…) in less words and get your point across. Perfectly fine to use pictures too but remember these conversations will happen later when you have a pilot director onboard. We also discuss more tips on how to sell shows in the Writers’ Room.
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Geoffroy Faugerolas thank you that's really helpful. I'm trying to get my head around everything I need to do to go with my pilot. I don't want to be pitching a finished script without being really prepared for potential next steps.
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Images can be a nice addition to your deck, but they won't replace telling a good story. See them as an "added bonus", but don't use them to the point of becoming "clutter". If you're a great artist and have lots of images, use the best ones in your deck and maybe make an art "look book" or reel for the reader to see more.