ABSTRACT
While script development is still the standard process in Hollywood television, straight-to-series orders have become more common since Netflix ordered two seasons of House of Cards in 2011. This chapter examines the straight-to-series process and why it’s proliferated at American networks. Instead of evaluating a pilot script and then a finished pilot before committing to order a series, straight-to-series development involves networks ordering one or more seasons of episodes upon the network’s initial purchase of the project. The chapter also explores script-to-series development and the several kinds of studio development deals including overall deals, first-look deals, blind script deals and if-come deals.
