That four out of the six Chicago selections in the 9th New York TV Pilot Festival are comedies, shouldn’t be a surprise, since Chicago is the comedy capital of the world (slight exaggeration but acceptable). Several of them were created by improv actors, who also write and produce visual media.
The other local entries are a sci-fi and a horror/thriller concept.
These six TV pilot concepts are among 62 entries in the Oct. 20-25 festival that came from New York, LA, Chicago, Austin, New Orleans and Denver, plus 10 international selections from the UK and Australia.
The Chicago comedy entrants are:
“Apartment Guy,” Workplace Sitcom, created by improv actor Bill Boehler. Logline: Bill and his colleagues at a real estate agency navigate the woes of apartment-hunting in Chicago, getting into trouble and overcompensating for their mistakes along the way.
‘The Jamz,” Comedy, created by actor Jim Kozyra (“Sirens,” “Crisis”). In an attempt to land a coveted morning show gig, two radio DJs endeavor to create a successful radio show in their current late-night slot.
“Man Scout,” Docu-Reality Comedy, created by filmmaker/actors Shawn Bowers and Colin Hogan (producer of some 20 comedy shorts). As a kid, Colin wasn’t ‘scout material.’ Now, as a boyish man, he endeavors to earn all the badges he never could in this docu-comedy that proves it’s never too late to go after your dreams.
A fourth comedy entry that could be considered local since it was begun here by improv actor/director partners Pedro Castro and Ramiro Castro, Jr., who relocated to LA, is Reality Spoof “Jones Sweet, A TV Pitch.” Businessman Toby Jones will do anything to get on TV, for the right prices.
The other three genres:
“The Wake,” Sci-Fi Drama, created by president/EP Angie Gaffney and her Black Apple Media team, Kevin McGrail, Lauren Walker and Steve Sullivan. In a post-apocalyptic world where resources are scarce, a small population tries to solve the mystery surrounding the power plant on the outskirts of their settlement.
“Love Spitters” Dating Game Show, created by producer Rich Seng (Gigity.tv) and filmmaker Nicholas Charles Peters of ButterVizion Productions also could be tagged a comedy show. To win the heart of one hip hop vixen, four freestyle emcees must answer a series of questions – on a beat and in rhyme – in this dating competition full of wit and swagger.
“Bad Ambulance,” Psychological Horror Thriller, created by Daniel Klein, credits unknown. Your time of greatest need, when you call out for help, can you trust the first responders
Winners get a guaranteed development and series deals for scripted and unscripted show. Festival partners include Lionsgate, Sundance, National Geographic channels, We TV, FYI and TRUtv.
