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Portfolio Checklist for Transmedia Creators Pitching to Agencies

pprofession

2026-02-07

11 min read

A concise, 2026-ready checklist for transmedia creators: one-pager, IP bible, sizzle reel, sample scripts, art treatment, and trailer to win agency representation.

Pitch-Ready: The Portfolio Checklist Every Transmedia Creator Needs in 2026

Hook: You’ve built worlds, characters, and a small but passionate audience — but agencies and managers keep asking for “the package.” You’re short on time, and the submission portal wants a sizzle reel, IP bible, and sample scripts yesterday. This concise, one-page checklist and expanded guidance will help transmedia creators present a professional, agency-grade portfolio that wins meetings and representation.

Why this matters now (late 2025–early 2026)

In 2026, agencies are actively scouting transmedia IP. High-profile moves — like the January 2026 signing of European transmedia studio The Orangery by WME — show that agencies value ready-made, multiplatform IP with clear adaptation potential. Streaming consolidation and a renewed push for tentpole IP across film, TV, gaming, and immersive experiences make a tight submission package more valuable than ever.

What agencies actually want

Agencies and managers are looking for three things above all:

Clarity: A one-page pitch that immediately communicates the concept, tone, and opportunity.
Proof of concept: A sizzle reel or trailer that demonstrates tone and audience fit.
Executable IP: An IP bible and sample scripts showing the world can sustain multiple formats and revenue streams.

Think of the one-pager as your business card + elevator pitch. It should be readable in under 30 seconds and make the reader want the full package.

Title & tagline: Tight, memorable. Example: "SWEET PAPRIKA — A steamy sci-fi noir about memory and market stalls."
Logline (1 sentence): Clear genre, protagonist, stakes.
Comp titles: 2–3 comps (e.g., Stranger Things x Blade Runner) — explain why briefly.
Format & ask: TV series (8–10 eps), feature, game, VR experience — and what you want (representation, optioning, development partner).
Audience & commercial hooks: Core demo, international appeal, merchandising/gaming potential.
Top visuals: 1–2 thumbnail images or a micro moodboard strip (low-res to keep email size small).
Contact & CTA: Name, email, phone, one-line availability note (e.g., ‘‘available for intro calls; sizzle link below’’).

The IP Bible: The Core of Your Submission Package

The IP bible (sometimes called a world bible) turns your idea from a nice story into an enterprise. Agencies expect a concise, navigable document that shows depth and scalability.

IP bible structure (recommended length: 8–30 pages)

Cover & elevator: Title, tagline, one-paragraph pitch, one-paragraph commercial hook.
World overview: Setting, rules, visual tone, and key locations.
Character bible: Main characters with arcs, relationships, and casting notes.
Series/format roadmap: Season 1 arc, episode seeds, spin-offs, transmedia beats (games, comics, experiential).
Sample episode outlines: 3–5 bullet outlines or a one-page arc for the pilot.
Key visuals & art direction: Lookbook pages, color palettes, reference stills, UI concepts for games/apps.
Commercial strategy: Target platforms, monetization paths, IP tiers (merch, licensing), estimated audience size and demographics.
Existing assets & traction: Links to webcomics, sales numbers, festival awards, social metrics, and production-ready media.
Rights & chain of title: Who owns what, any prior agreements, option history, and rights you control.
Production notes & preliminary budget ranges: Realistic budget bands for feature, TV, or interactive experiences.

IP bible presentation tips

Deliver as a searchable PDF (PDF/A is fine). Keep file size manageable — link to high-res assets hosted securely.
Include a linked table of contents; agencies will scan for specific sections.
Use clear headers and page numbers; busy execs appreciate signposts like "Read first: pilot hook (p.4)."

Sizzle Reel & Trailer: The Visual Proof

Words sell, but visuals sign deals. In 2026 the expectation is a professional sizzle or trailer — not a raw vlog. Agencies need to sense the tone quickly.

Sizzle vs. trailer — what to send

Sizzle reel: 60–120 seconds. Fast cuts, concept beats, tone, music, title cards showing format and ask. Ideal for initial submissions.
Trailer (proof of concept): 90–180 seconds. Uses original footage (or high-end animatic), demonstrates narrative stakes and characters.

Technical specs (buyer's checklist)

File: MP4 (H.264) for initial sends; provide ProRes or higher on request for meetings.
Resolution: 1920x1080 for landscape; also provide 1080x1920 vertical 9:16 trim for short-form platforms (buyers check social traction).
Length: keep under 3 minutes total for combined sizzle + trailer links.
Watermarking: Avoid distracting watermarks; use a subtle slate with your contact and password-protected delivery link.
Host: Private Vimeo or passworded Google Drive/Dropbox link. Include a plain-text fallback link.

Creative tips

Open with a strong hook — the core conflict in one line and one image within the first 5–7 seconds.
Use temp music wisely; avoid stock that feels generic. If using licensed music, ensure rights disclosures are ready.
Show rather than tell: visuals and sound should communicate tone faster than text.
Include a 15–30 second vertical cut for agents browsing on mobile.

Sample Scripts & Story Samples

Agents want to know you can write and sustain an idea. Deliver sample scripts that showcase voice, pacing, and character.

What to include

Pilot or short script: A polished pilot (TV) or a 10–20-page short or feature excerpt. Format correctly (industry-standard sluglines, courier or preferred industry font, PDF).
Teaser scene: 1–3 pages that demonstrate character voice and central conflict.
Showrunner note: One-page production note explaining why you’re the right person to shepherd this IP.

Script formatting & delivery

Use Final Draft, WriterDuet, or industry-standard PDF output.
Name files clearly: TITLE_PILOT_2026_V1.pdf.
Include reading time at the top and a short one-paragraph pitch on the first page.

Art Treatment & Lookbook

Visual storytelling is a transmedia superpower. Your art treatment should spell out the look and feel for every medium.

Art treatment essentials

Moodboard: 4–8 curated images showing tone, color palette, and visual references.
Character art: Turnarounds, expression sheets, and costume notes.
Environments: Key location designs and maps.
UI/UX concepts: For games or apps, include a mockup of the user experience.

Submission Package: How to Assemble & Send

Presentation is as important as content. Build a tidy submission package that respects an agent’s workflow.

Package contents (initial send)

One-pager (PDF)
IP bible (PDF, linked to high-res folder)
Sizzle reel (private link)
Sample script(s) (PDF)
Lookbook/art treatment (PDF or image folder)
Short legal summary (chain of title, rights) — one page

How to send

Email body: Short and clickable — paste the one-pager as plain text or attach the PDF and include the sizzle link. Keep the email under 200 words.
Subject lines that work:
- "IP: SWEET PAPRIKA — Transmedia noir (sizzle + bible)"
- "Pitch: high-concept sci-fi series with built-in audience — trailer inside"
Delivery: Use a password-protected Vimeo or a secure folder with an expiry link (30–90 days). Provide a low-res preview embedded or linked directly in the email for quick screening. See templates for smart delivery.

Follow-up etiquette

Wait 7–10 business days before a polite follow-up. Include a one-sentence update if you’ve gained traction (festival award, metrics, new talent attached).
If you get a request for materials, send within 48–72 hours. Agents operate on tight timelines.

Legal & Rights: Don’t Let Paperwork Kill the Deal

Many promising projects stall due to unclear rights. Agencies vet chain of title before investing time.

Must-have legal docs

Chain of title summary: One-page that lists creators, percentages, prior agreements, and any transfers.
Option & prior deals: Disclose current or past options, production agreements, or licensing deals.
Contributor agreements: If multiple creators contributed, have signed assignments or revenue-sharing memoranda.

Practical legal tips

Have a lawyer or experienced entertainment attorney do a quick chain-of-title review before wide submission.
Be transparent — agencies prefer full disclosure to surprises later in negotiations.

Advanced Strategies & 2026 Trends

To stand out in 2026, leverage platform trends and tech advances while respecting buyer expectations.

Trends to use (not abuse)

Short-form proof: Agents increasingly look at vertical-first traction (TikTok/Instagram Reels). Include a 30–60 second vertical cut of your sizzle showing engagement metrics if you have them.
AI-assisted preproduction: Use AI storyboarding and animatics to create high-quality proof-of-concept visuals quickly — but note usage in your bible (and ensure you have rights to any AI-generated assets).
Cross-platform mapping: Show how your IP translates into a streaming series, limited podcast, game, or live experience. Agencies prize multi-revenue blueprints.
Interactive & XR: If your story has immersive potential (AR/VR/experiential), include a one-page additive experience plan and metrics on similar launches — see experiential showroom playbooks.
Global-ready packaging: Agencies like WME have global reach; outline international appeal, translation potential, and local adaptation ideas.

Case study: What the market tells us

The Orangery's signing by WME in January 2026 underscores a pattern: agencies seek studios bringing both creative IP and a roadmap to monetization across media. If you can show a clear adaptation path (e.g., graphic novel to limited series + game), you move from "nice idea" to "agency-ready asset."

Practical Timeline: From Rough Draft to Submission

How long does it take to assemble a professional submission? Depending on assets, 2–6 weeks is realistic.

2–6 week checklist

Week 1: Finalize one-pager, logline, and agenda for the IP bible. Draft the short script or teaser scene.
Week 2: Complete visual assets (moodboard, lookbook pages), begin sizzle edit using existing footage or animatic frames.
Week 3: Finish sizzle reel and vertical cut. Finalize IP bible draft; run a table read or workshop of sample script.
Week 4: Legal chain-of-title review, finalize PDFs, compress and host assets, craft targeted outreach list of agencies/managers.
Weeks 5–6: Refine based on early feedback, prepare alternate language one-pager for international outreach, and schedule follow-ups.

Dos and Don'ts — Quick Reference

Do:

Do craft a one-page pitch that sells within 30 seconds.
Do provide both landscape and vertical cuts for visual materials.
Do disclose rights and prior deals up front.
Do name files clearly and use a shared folder with expiry dates.

Don’t:

Don’t attach giant high-res files to an initial email — agents prefer links.
Don’t send unfinished scripts or rough, unpolished reels; first impressions matter.
Don’t overstate metrics — be honest about traction and audience numbers.
Don’t use AI-generated likenesses of real people without releases.

“A tight, professional submission often gets you a meeting. A sloppy one gets ignored — even if the idea is brilliant.”

Templates & File Naming (Copy-Paste Ready)

Use predictable file names so agents can find materials fast:

TITLE_ONE-PAGER_2026.pdf
TITLE_IP-BIBLE_2026.pdf
TITLE_SIZZLE_V1_2026.mp4
TITLE_PILOT_SCRIPT_2026.pdf
TITLE_LOOKBOOK_2026.pdf

Sample Outreach Email (Short & Effective)

Below is a compact email designed for agency inboxes. Keep it under 150 words.

Subject: IP: [TITLE] — transmedia series (sizzle + bible)

Hi [Name],

I’m [Your Name], creator of [TITLE] — a [one-sentence logline]. We’ve built [mention any traction: comic series with X readers / festival award / active community].

Sizzle (90s): [Vimeo link | password]
One-pager & Bible: [link]

I’m seeking representation/development partners for TV + game adaptation. Available for a 20-min call next week.

Thanks for considering — happy to send any additional materials.

Best,
[Name] | [Phone] | [Website]

Final Checklist — One Page (Printable)

[ ] One-pager (PDF)
[ ] IP bible (PDF + linked high-res folder)
[ ] Sizzle reel 60–120s (MP4 + vertical cut)
[ ] Trailer/POC if available (90–180s)
[ ] Sample pilot/short script (PDF)
[ ] Art treatment/lookbook (PDF)
[ ] Chain of title summary (1 page)
[ ] Legal docs & contributor agreements
[ ] Contact info and one-sentence CTA on first page of every doc
[ ] Password-protected hosting + expiry date noted

Closing Advice From a 2026 Perspective

In today’s market, agencies like WME will sign transmedia studios and creators who bring more than a single idea — they sign people who can scale IP across formats and markets. The difference between curiosity and representation is often a clean, complete submission package that anticipates an agent’s questions.

Actionable takeaway: Spend time on the one-pager and sizzle first. If you can make a buyer feel the world in 30 seconds, you get a second look. Then use the IP bible and sample scripts to lock the meeting and demonstrate depth.

Next step — get the templates

If you want a ready-to-edit one-pager, IP bible template, sizzle checklist, and sample outreach email, download our Transmedia Submission Kit and schedule a 15-minute quick review with a career coach who specializes in agency submissions. Move from inbox to meeting with the materials agencies expect in 2026.

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