Industry Terms

A.C. Nielsen Company

This company has developed systems to monitor network viewers and television shows which determine ratings. Ratings describe how many viewers watched a particular show during a particular time, determining both the popularity and success of a show, as well as appropriate levels of advertising revenues.

 

Animatics

In animation and special effects work, following the creation of storyboards, an animator may elect to create an animatic by putting the storyboard images together in sequence and adding rough dialogue and soundtrack to give the director a preliminary idea of how well that particular scene would flow. Animatics may be changed before they are developed into full animation.

 

Audience Appeal

The elements within a show (such as main characters, secondary characters, plots, storylines, music or special effects) that can create audience interest or enjoyment.

 

Audience Profile Data

Identifying the targeted audience and matching the data with a specific archetype or archetypes of viewers to align characters and story that strongly resonate with the intended audience base.

 

Brainstorm Session

When creative production and design teams get together to share ideas and expand upon the initial information received from the client.

 

Broadcast

This is a show that would appear on network or cable television, live or taped.

 

Brochure

Part of the Show Concept Package that include printed material, which provides an overview of the show idea, character development, episode breakdown and ideas for other episodes.

 

Cable Channel

A cable channel is one of the many TV stations, other than the traditional broadcast networks, that viewers find on cable line-ups. Examples: MTV, A&E, ESPN, History Channel, Travel Channel, etc...

 

Character

A person or part in a film or television show that is portrayed by an actor.

 

Confidential Information

New Show Studios has developed a proprietary process for turning show ideas into professional presentation packages and clients are contractually obligated not to share that process with anyone, without express written consent. Additionally, confidential information includes any information that New Show Studios discloses to clients concerning people or companies that it discusses show ideas with.

 

Corporation

This is an entity that may be targeted for presentation of a Show Concept Package.

 

Deal Memo

When a corporation or entertainment company agrees to move forward with a show idea, they draft a Deal Memo, which solidifies their interest and connects them to the project. A more formal and lengthy contract follows.

 

Design and Packaging Team

The Design and Packaging Team is responsible for developing the show idea logo and all of the print materials, other than written content, for the Show Concept Package.

 

Development Executive

This is the first person you speak with at New Show Studios who will discuss your idea and gather initial data information.

 

Development Portfolio

This is step one of the New Show Studios process. This package includes in-depth industry information concerning a client’s show idea, including shows that are currently airing or have aired that are similar to a show idea, what networks may be targeted for a show idea and what audience similar shows attract. All of this information is valuable in how a show idea is approached and brought to life for the Show Concept Package.

 

DVD

The presentation video that will be produced for a Show Concept Package will be outputted to a high-quality DVD, which is a digital video disc.

 

Entertainment Company

A television network/channel, a movie studio or a production company that works with or has relationships with a television network, channel or movie studio. Also, this could be an agent, producer or syndication company that can make a presentation to any entity and broker the sale of a show or movie deal.

 

Entertainment Company Profiles

Entertainment Company Profiles look at specific networks or cable channels, their brand, their shows and their audience demographics to help determine which network, cable channel, web, mobile or other platform might be a potential fit for a show idea.

 

Entertainment Company Profile Data

As a part of the Development Portfolio, this information includes targeted networks, channels or other outlets that might be suitable for a show idea and Show Concept Package.

 

Episodes

An episode is one show in a particular series.

 

Episode Description

When developing a show idea, New Show Studios writes up short descriptions of several episodes to give companies an idea of how a show might evolve. These episode descriptions are part of the brochure in the Show Concept Package.

 

Green Light

This is an industry reference for giving a show idea approval to go from being in development to being produced.

 

Green Screen

This can be a specially-painted studio, or a backdrop placed behind an actor that allows them to be videotaped with a green background. In post-production (editing), that green background can be “removed” and replaced with appropriate video footage. Through this editing process, an actor can appear to be on a mountain, in a spaceship, on an island, etc…

 

Integrated Show Rendering

The Design and Packaging Team will provide the client with a virtual rendering of the show logo design and packaging design, which should give the client an excellent idea of what the final Show Concept Package will look like. The client is to approve and sign off on the virtual rendering, before the Design and Packaging Team goes into full print production and packaging.

 

Initial Trademark Query

To offer a mild indication of true availability, the research team will do an initial trademark query search through Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) to check the status of the show idea name or title. A little later in the process, if there is interest in the show idea, a more in-depth search will be conducted by the Entertainment Entity.

 

License

An agreement to use property for a certain purpose. In this context, it is the agreement to use a client's show idea.

 

Location

This term refers to a video shooting site away from the studio.

 

Location Scouting

Prior to shooting at a particular location (venue), a produce or director will visit the location to make sure it fully meets the needs necessary of the script scene(s).

 

Media Outlet

This term refers to various forms of media. For example, network television, cable, internet and emerging platforms, such as cell phones, are media outlets.

 

Network

A network is a major entertainment broadcast company such as NBC, CBS, ABC or FOX. There are many other cable networks like Discovery, A&E, History Channel, Food Channel, SPEED, ESPN, Disney Channel, CNN, etc...

 

Network Line-up

This represents the listing of shows compiled for a certain day and a certain time frame. As an example, CBS might talk about its Monday line-up (primetime), which would include all the shows from 8:00 p.m. through 11:00 p.m. The way a network compiles their various shows and places them together in a line-up is often crucial to their success or failure.

 

Optioned

An agreement that gives a corporation or entertainment entity, in exchange for payment, the exclusive right to a show idea for a defined amount of time, before they decide to move forward with it or not. That agreement may also permit the entity to exercise their right to option the property for additional periods of time.

 

Outline

An outline is a brief overview of the flow of the show idea, if the concept were to be developed into a full show episode.  An outline is to be included in the Show Concept Package.

 

Packaging

The Show Concept Package is to be contained in a box that is customized with original show logo branding.

 

Passed

This is a term used if a corporation or entertainment entity decides not to move forward with a show idea.

 

Plot

In the writing of the show idea, plot would be the “story” of what a show idea would be if it were elaborated into a full episode or series. The plot of a show idea is to be part of the written pitch that is included in the Show Concept Package.

 

Post Production Team

After the video is produced and shot, the next phase of the process is post-production or editing, where editors take all the shots and edit them into a clear, succinct message, using elements such as narration, music, sound effects, graphics, animation, etc...

 

Preliminary Logo Rendering

Once necessary information for a show idea is gathered, the Design and Packaging Team conceptualizes and draws a show logo that fits show brand and identity the preliminary logo rendering is to be reviewed and approved by the client.

 

Presentation/Pitch

Once a Show Concept Package is produced, the Licensing Team takes the necessary steps to have it considered by an entertainment entity.

 

Producer

If a Show Concept Package is contracted, the producer becomes the point person for the project and oversees the coordination of the various people that work on a project, making sure everything is running smoothly.

 

Production

Once a client goes through the Development Portfolio process, if he or she chooses to proceed with the project, the second phase of services is called Production. Production includes the start of the video production process, as well as the written and graphic content for the brochure – all for the Show Concept Package. This phase is covered by a separate agreement and for a separate fee than the Development.

 

Program Length

This refers to the length of a program’s typical episode. For example, the program length of a typical television situation comedy is thirty minutes.

 

Q & A Pack

This is a document that New Show Studios supplies, which helps to narrow the scope of a show idea, so that it is fully comprehended.

 

Script

A script is like a blueprint for the director and production team. It contains descriptions of action, dialogue, setting and other details to tell a story.

 

Set

A set is a constructed two or three wall replica of a location. For example, a living room or kitchen set gives the illusion that the scene is taking place in a real home. Sets have no fourth wall or ceiling, which allows the production crew to have better access and control over lighting and audio.

 

Shoot Schedule

Once a show concept script is approved and put into production, the production team sets shoot times or the amount of time it will take the production crew to shoot the show concept video.

 

Show Concept Package

The Show Concept Package is comprised of a two minute or less show concept video, a brochure and package to demonstrate the concept behind a show idea.

 

Show Concept/Show Idea

An idea for a TV show or a movie.

 

Show Genre

The general description of the type of shows or movies that includes comedy, drama, documentary, reality, investigative, talent contests, etc…

 

Show Logo

A show logo is a small, custom graphic representation of a show idea that distinguishes it from other shows and is included in a Show Concept Package.

 

Show Related Data

A compilation of television shows that have aired that might be similar in nature to a submitted show idea.

 

Studio/Stage

A studio or stage is a controlled area dedicated for video/film production where sets, lighting and audio can be controlled to optimize production value and quality. There may be multiple sets on a stage, which saves the cast and crew from traveling to different locations.

 

Storyboard

An artistic drawing of numerous panels, compiled with script, to tell the story being produced. A storyboard is what a director and production team use as their blueprint for video photography.

 

Synopsis

A synopsis is a brief description of the show idea, which will be included in the Show Concept Package.

 

Talent/Actors

Show ideas are scripted for a video presentation that offers a short overview or pitch of the show idea. To accomplish this, New Show Studios may enlist talent or actors to portray certain character roles to help best tell the story.

 

Termination

If for any reason a client would violate or breach New Show Studios’ binding contract agreement, New Show Studios reserves the right to stop work and terminate the business relationship or agreement.

 

Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) Database

This federally registered system provides an on-line search of existing trademark application and registration information. The fact that a mark is not present in the TESS database does not necessarily mean that the mark is not currently being used as a trademark.

 

Trade Secret

A trade secret is a formula, practice, design, instrument, pattern or compilation of information or methods that are not generally known or reasonably ascertainable, by which a business can obtain an economic advantage over competitors or customers. This proprietary information is considered confidential and is not allowed to be shared by the client without New Show Studios’ express written consent.

 

Webisode

An episode of a television show that is available for viewing on the Internet.

 

Writer

This is the person who expands the show idea by developing the storyline, characters and plot sequences to be included in the brochure portion of the Show Concept Package. The writer also develops the show concept script that will be turned into a short and succinct video.

 

This Glossary is provided for general information on entertainment industry words and New Show Studios' processes. While the terms are intended to be consistent with the terminology used in New Show Studios' contracts, the Glossary definitions do not modify any contract language that New Show Studios may offer. Please refer to the contract for controlling language.