Short-drama studios read a lot of ideas. The ones that get picked are rarely the most complicated — they're the ones you can understand in one sentence and feel in one minute. Here's how to pitch a story that stands out, and how Tokime's weekly Story Studio works.
Start with a one-sentence logline
A logline answers three questions in one sentence: who is the hero, what do they want, and what's in the way — ideally with a twist.
A reviewer trashes a bestseller — and its reclusive author shows up at her door with a contract she can't refuse.
A streamer wakes up inside the game she speedruns — and every death costs her a real memory.
A travel vlogger's trip goes viral for the wrong reason — the stranger in every shot officially died in 2019.
Each one has a person, a situation and a question you want answered.
Lead with the hook
Short-drama viewers decide in seconds. Your idea needs an opening moment that grabs immediately: a slap, a reveal, a contract, a stranger at the door. In your pitch, describe what happens in the first minute.
Name your tropes
Tropes aren't clichés here — they're signposts. Tell us which ones your story plays with: enemies to lovers, secret identity, villainess, revenge, contract relationship, rich family, memory loss, forbidden romance, hidden heir. It helps the writers' room see the audience instantly.
Show where it goes
You don't need a full script. Three short beats are enough:
- The hook — the first scene.
- The turn — the twist around the middle that changes everything.
- The pull — why viewers keep unlocking episodes.
Make it yours
The strongest pitches come from your world. A beauty creator who writes about a lipstick brand with a secret, a gamer who writes about a cursed speedrun — your audience is already half-sold because it sounds like you.
Keep it original
Pitch only ideas that are yours. Don't send a summary of someone else's book, show or characters. If you're inspired by a trope, great — tropes belong to everyone. Specific stories don't.
How Tokime's Story Studio works
- Pitch in your Tokime Partners dashboard: a title, a few lines of story and, optionally, a link or file.
- Every Friday the writers' room picks the strongest ideas.
- We produce the series — script, cast, filming — and work out the style with you. You can ask for a cameo.
- Premiere for your audience and everyone on Tokime.
- You earn +15% on top of your share on what your viewers spend on that series, for life. If your share is 50%, your series pays you 65%.
If your idea isn't picked, it stays yours — pitch it again or take it anywhere. You’ll see the short Submission Terms right before you send.
Pitch template
Title: Shade No. 7 Logline: A beauty creator learns her viral lipstick brand is a front for her mother's old secrets. Tropes: hidden past, family secrets, slow-burn romance with the investigator. First minute: a fan unboxes the lipstick on live stream — and finds a key inside. The turn: the investigator chasing the brand is the boy she left without a word ten years ago. Why my audience would binge it: they've watched me build my own brand for three years.
FAQ
Do I need writing experience to pitch?
No. A clear idea in a few sentences is enough — the writers' room handles the script.
What happens to my idea if it isn't picked?
It stays yours. You can pitch again any week or take the idea elsewhere.
What do I earn if my story is filmed?
At Tokime, you earn +15% on top of your current partner share on everything your viewers spend on that series, for life — under a separate production agreement.