In the acting business, the term “pilot” doesn’t necessarily mean a person who flies an airplance. Think of a pilot as a new TV show. Not a TV SERIES. A TV SHOW. Just ONE show–with potential. TV studio execs usually test out pilot shows to see how they do in the ratings first before they greenlight it as a series.
Very few TV ideas or scripts get greenlighted. Some shows get upfront guarantees of up to 13, 22 or sometimes even 26 episodes if the talent involved is of sufficient caliber, but most shows start out life as a stand-alone pilot.
Pilot season is when shows in development are given the go-ahead and casting begins. When your agent calls you to tell you that you have an audition for a “pilot” you’ll know what they mean now. In fact you’ll be, as they say, “Up for a pilot”. Traditionally, January is considered the beginning of pilot season, though some begin casting as early as November. In May, the networks present their new shows to advertisers (usually in New York), typically flying in their stars to help excite the advertisers about buying airtime.
Some pilots are held in reserve for mid-season replacement, but others are never seen. Still, being cast as a series regular in a pilot, even if it doesn’t go, is usually a major boost to an actor’s career.
