Q&A for How to Make Your Own TV Show

If you are only a kid, that's a great thing! You have bigger dreams and aspirations than much of the world around you. Pitch your idea to someone! If they reject your idea because you're just a kid, start a YouTube channel and broadcast your show there. It's a great place to get noticed!

You can make as many characters as you like. For example, Adventure Time has loads of characters.

Why not? Anything is possible with dedication and focus. However, be realistic that it'll take a while and you may not be able to finalize it until your studies are finished for the year, allowing you to use the vacation time. You'll also need to get it to some producers and have people to check the idea of the show so that you're not wasting your precious time.

That may limit the chances of your show making it onto TV. Producers will notice if it is too similar to an existing show. Try to do whatever you can do make it more unique.

You could try placing an add in a local paper or online. You could also pitch your idea to a film/TV studio and they would then do the work finding actors for you.

It's easy to put out job openings. Some actors might be found on Craigslist, or on other websites that notify people looking to be a voice actor.

Yes. You might want to act out some scenes to keep viewers interested. Try to capture as much drama as possible. Remember to ask permission from your teachers first.

You must have creativity, commitment and passion for children. Take inspiration and knowledge from other children's programming that is appropriate for the age range you wish to target.

Write what is practical within your budget if you plan to shoot it yourself. Get creative with prosthetics, green screen work and inexpensive special effects software. You can also finish your script and submit it to a film festival. If you win, you can use the prize money to create more realistic effects.

Yes. You can use YouTube and other sights like that. Putting your show online will allow others to see your work. Just make sure that you have your parents permission first.

Either practice animating, go online for tutorials, or get someone to do it for you. However, they won't do it for free, so look for the cheapest way possible.

You need to obtain permission from the person who created the video; otherwise, this would be copyright infringement.

Maybe! If you don't have any contacts in the entertainment industry, your best bet is to put your show on YouTube.

Wait until you have the budget for the equipment, or you could borrow some from a friend if they have any.

Not necessarily. There are many free outlets.

A good starting point for a good character is to flesh out some personality traits that seem realistic, but avoid accidentally creating a Mary Sue (which is a perfect character without flaws). Give your character a name -- this can make it easier to come up with their attributes. You could base your character on someone you know, or ask your friends and family to help you develop your character. wikiHow has some articles that go into more detail, like How to Create a Character .

Yes it is possible, but they will expect payment in return.

You probably won't, at least not at first. You should work a regular job and make your TV show in your show becomes successful.

You can ask your friends or you can make a flyer and hang it in your school.

It is possible, but highly unlikely.

Science fiction is great! It can be difficult, and expensive, to make sci-fi with the high-quality special effects you see in professional productions. You might get some great, low-cost ideas by watching science fiction from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Also, keep an eye out for video and animation computer applications that could help you create post-production effects easily.

It really depends on the genre. If it is something along the lines of comedy or romance, 20-30 minutes is good. If it is action, mystery, or very intense drama, probably 45-60 minutes would be better. Some genres work well as either.

Of course. This is a good idea, because you probably won't have to pay your friends to act in your show.

Try asking friends or family members if you could borrow their camera, just know it should be returned in the condition it came in. If you don't have access to a movie camera, several real films have already been shot using cell phone cameras. If you have no way of getting a camera, focus on your script until you can get one.

Decide the type of genre, like comedy or drama or action. Choose a few words that you think of and write them on a piece of paper and then pick them. You can watch a few shows and movies that you like to get more ideas. Also, at night, when you are sleeping, your mind thinks of good ideas and it may help you to come up with something to name your show!

If that were to happen, then the best way to deal with that is to file a copyright violation. Get a lawyer to accompany you if you want to get your show shown through a major distributor.