I had a consult with a writing team about their pilot starting in the concept phase. We had a lively discussion and worked through a lot with their story. This led to the question of, what makes a strong opening to your pilot?

The things that you want to cover in the opening of your pilot script are; the world, how your central character is going to interact in the world, the series dilemma that will lead to your pilot dilemma in Act I and connect with your external pilot goal by the end of Act I and the wound that is driving your central character.

Examples of strong pilots that exemplify this are; LUTHER, HOMELAND, THE HOUR, THE GOOD WIFE