Develop an idea with commercial elements that can be pitched in a simple, visual way. For example, a small-scale drama about a man's friendship with a dog is less commercially appealing than an action comedy about a man who fights crime with a talking dog.
Write a short treatment or outline that summarizes the characters and the major plot points and story elements of your film or TV idea. The treatment hones your idea to its simplest elements and helps you emphasize the big moments. Create a logline from the treatment. A logline is a one- or two-sentence description of your idea. For example, a feature film about a CIA agent who works for enemies of the United States might be, "A CIA agent is blackmailed into spying for the Russians when they kidnap his daughter."
Buy a copy of the Hollywood Creative Directory, which lists every production company, feature film studio and television network in Hollywood. The directory also describes the kind of material companies like to buy and lists the projects a company has produced.
Make a list of potential buyers for your project by matching your idea with that of producers who have made similar projects.
Send pitch query letters or call junior executives listed in the Hollywood Creative Directory. Query letters are short letters that describe your project and inquire about a company's interest in hearing your pitch. If you choose to call, introduce yourself and ask what the procedures are for you to get a pitch meeting. Most companies will ask you to email or send a brief description of your idea with a signed release to protect them from being sued if they develop an idea that seems similar to yours in the future.
Visit the Internet and research pitch festivals, which allow you to sit in front of producers and feature film and TV executives to pitch your idea. Festivals such as the Screenwriting Expo and the NATPE Pitch Con provide access to industry power players but charge you a fee for the service.
Use the Hollywood Creative Directory to obtain the names of agents who work at agencies in Los Angeles. Though agencies such as Creative Artists Agency, United Talent Agency and William Morris Endeavor are powerhouse agencies, smaller agencies may be more willing to hear your idea and help you set up pitch meetings. Cold call agent assistants and ask if they are willing to read your pitch treatment. Many will decline, but some enterprising assistants may ask you to send your idea, with a release form. At the very least, you may get some valuable feedback that could help strengthen your pitch.