Aaron Champion

One of the most frustrating things I run into in development and production is a very simple question - ‘what’s the hook?’

You can have great characters, great tension, a killer creative team, but without a hook that distributors, broadcasters or sales agents can SELL, no one is interested in your project.

After finally watching the first episode of Downton Abbey, I’m reminded of how enviable the television and film industry in the UK is. Downton Abbey is a period soap about the inhabitants of a manor home in the British countryside. I can’t imagine the pitch for this show if it happened in North America - it would create such confusion on the part of the execs. How can they sell stuffy British period drama? Who’s the face for the poster?

Downton Abbey has strong characters, excellent production value and a fully developed world. Whats the hook? Its good. What other hook could we possibly want?