Development Deal
A Development Deal is an agreement in the entertainment industry where a company (like a studio or network) pays for the creation and development of potential TV shows, movies, or other content. It's like paying someone to come up with and refine ideas before deciding whether to actually produce them. This usually includes funding for writing scripts, creating pilot episodes, or developing story concepts. Think of it as an "idea incubator" where entertainment companies invest in creative talent to develop future projects.
Examples in Resumes
Secured Development Deal with Netflix for original comedy series concept
Managed three Development Deals simultaneously at Warner Bros Television
Led creative team under Development Deal resulting in two greenlit series
Negotiated Dev Deal terms with major streaming platforms
Typical job title: "Development Executives"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Development Executives
Industry Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: Can you walk me through how you would structure a development deal for a multi-project slate?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of budget allocation across multiple projects, risk management, and understanding of different development stages. Should mention experience with negotiating terms, timeline management, and strategic project selection.
Q: How do you evaluate the commercial potential of a project under development?
Expected Answer: Should discuss market analysis, audience targeting, budget considerations, and talent attachments. Should show understanding of current industry trends and platform needs.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your process for managing multiple development projects simultaneously?
Expected Answer: Should explain project tracking methods, prioritization strategies, and how they keep various stakeholders updated on progress. Should mention experience with development timelines and milestones.
Q: How do you maintain relationships with writers and creative talent during the development process?
Expected Answer: Should discuss communication strategies, giving constructive feedback, and balancing creative vision with commercial needs. Should show understanding of talent management.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the key elements of a development deal?
Expected Answer: Should understand basic components like option periods, payment structures, and development timelines. Should be familiar with standard terms and conditions.
Q: How do you track and report on development progress?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic project management tools, status reporting, and how to maintain development schedules and documentation.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Understanding of development process basics
- Script coverage and note-taking
- Project tracking and organization
- Basic industry knowledge
Mid (2-5 years)
- Project management
- Talent relationships
- Development budget handling
- Creative feedback skills
Senior (5+ years)
- Deal negotiation
- Strategic project selection
- Team leadership
- High-level industry relationships
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of current industry trends and market demands
- Lack of experience with project management tools
- Poor understanding of development timelines and budgets
- Limited knowledge of entertainment industry structure
