ABSTRACT
Although adaption of pre-existing IP has become more common in television than in earlier eras, most TV shows are still based on original ideas created by TV writers. Many of these original TV ideas come not only from writers themselves, though, but from producers and development executives at networks, studios and production companies. This chapter explores concept ideation techniques that companies use to create TV concepts. Sometimes these techniques are used to create fully developed concepts, but often they result in identifying “areas,” kernels of entertainment concepts that are then pitched to writers who, if they’re inspired that a successful TV series might live within the area, come back with a “take” on the idea, the writer’s own, unique creative thoughts for translating the initial idea into a series.
