What is Pilot Season? (Showbiz Term of the Day)

Big Bang Theory Was Cast in Pilot Season 2007, Image via Flickr

There is a lot of talk about “pilot season” right now in Los Angeles. That is because pilot season is going on right now.

The time referred to as “pilot season” used to be much more well-defined than it is now. But it does still occur.

My daughter and I have been friends with several young actors who landed roles on pilots during pilot season.

Pilot Season Has a Big Effect on the LA Area

It is at this time of year that masses of people, mostly actors, descend on LA hoping to be able to take advantage of the increase in activity in the entertainment industry here in LA.

It always seems that LA Traffic gets crazier, and certainly the entertainment work permit office gets busier. And a larger number of Coogan accounts are probably opened at this time of year as well.

And headshot photographers and reproductions offices get busier trying to help all the talent that has just flooded into the area get their headshots ready for distribution as well as the local talent doing the same thing.

Talent Agencies and Talent Managers

Talent agencies and talent managers also get busier. And many agencies and managers in the LA area who work with actors who come here at this time of year become somewhat distracted from their local talent as they focus on sending their seasonal talent out on as many auditions as possible during the short time they are here.

In fact, just about all businesses involved in the entertainment industry get busier at this time of year.

Let’s hope that with the economy in the state that it has been in lately, this will be a great pilot season, and the entertainment industry will come out of the slump it seems to have been in for a while.

So, “What is Pilot Season?”

Pilot season is the time of year when the largest number of tv pilots are being cast and filmed or prepared for filming. It used to be pretty much the only time because all the tv pilots were shown in September.

But lately, television pilots are cast and filmed throughout the year, and are shown on tv at various times during the year. So pilot season as we used to know it, is not quite so well-defined.

Pilot season occurs roughly from mid-January through March, with a few pilots getting started early in January and a few running into April.

What Is a Television Pilot?

A pilot is a tv episode that is created to be viewed by networks for possible television airing. If a pilot is selected, then an additional number of episodes are created. If all goes well, the pilot will air as the first episode of a television series. Then the additional episodes created will air. Sometimes the pilot episode airs but the television series is canceled before any more episodes are shown.

Many pilots are cast and filmed and never make it to the television screen. Many others are canceled after the pilot episode shows. But still, working on a pilot  is a great credit to put on a resume and can open doors for actors trying to make it in show business.

Many consider pilot season a good time for actors who are just getting started. Since budgets for many pilots are small, unknown actors are often auditioned and cast for even the lead roles since they will work for low pay. It is a great time for new talent to be discovered by casting directors, producers, and directors.

For those considering coming to LA during pilot season, don’t rush off without doing a great deal of research or without having representation and a place to live already lined up! And remember that the competition at this time of year is pretty fierce.

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To your success,

Debbie Sikkema

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