Meet Crystal Boyd

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Crystal Boyd a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Crystal, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by having fun! I’m the first one to hop in my car and go on a joyride to the beach or the mountains and vibe out to music- and I’ll do it alone. I prioritize spending a lot of time alone with myself, to filter out and truly understand what is my unique writer’s voice, as opposed to what is content I’m just consuming from other shows or Tik Tok.

I am a multi-passionate writer, actress, and TV creator repping the DC area. I love sinking my teeth into stories that showcase dysfunctional families, parents, children, siblings, all of it. I’m also a sucker for a female protagonist on the brink of a meltdown. I’ve sold four comedy pilots to Warner Brothers and SONY, as part of the woman-comedy trio, The Downtown Girls. We are currently developing a feature, BLACK GIRL MAGIC, with Gabrielle Union, which we formerly sold to NBC and Sony Pictures Television as a comedy pilot. Most recently, we developed an animated comedy series entitled SERVICE ANIMALS with Warner Bros. Animation and Gaspin Media, about the day to day lives of three service animals. Previously, we sold DOWNTOWN GIRLS the comedy pilot to Warner Brothers and TBS, with Elizabeth Banks attached as executive producer.

Re: creativity…. I am a huge fan of making space for your creative gifts to evolve you in unexpected ways. I started off as an actress, became a TV writer, and now I am the CEO of “How to Pitch TV,” a company that coaches aspiring creatives on how to successfully sell television. Check us out- https://howtopitchtv.com. I actually coach how to package and pitch your project- after selling four shows, I realized it was time to share the game with others and coach them on how to ace the 15 minute verbal project pitch with execs. Through my own company, I also landed organically into teaching at NYU – I created a new lane for myself the minute I decided to create “How to Pitch TV.” People started recognizing that I coach and teach too, and someone sent me a job application for NYU’s LA Campus to be a Screenwriting Professor and I got the job. So cool, since it’s my alma mater. I teach “Writing the Comedy Pilot” there, and I’m delighted to embrace the full circle moment. Shout out to Tisch.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am really passionate about spreading the word to emerging creatives to always, always, always have a creative calling card in your back pocket. My career is the embodiment of, “when you build it, they will come.” What I mean by this is always have a passion project (or two or three) that you are pouring your heart and soul into- and shoot the thing! Whether that’s a one minute sizzle reel, a 2 minute scene from your next script, or a short film- these all qualify as industry-approved Proof of Concepts that will launch your career into new arenas.

My company is offering a limited-time Proof of Concept workshop, where we teach the Dos and Don’t of Proof of Concepts, and how to just dive in, rip the band aid, and get started. The Zoom workshop is on Wednesday October 29th from 5:30-7 pm PT, or 8:30-10 pm ET. Knock off that bucket list item for 2025 and get started on your Proof of Concept now. https://howtopitchtv.com/shop/ols/products/the-october-challenge-proof-of-concept-workshop. This is definitely a learn-as-you go type of work…. so to those of you out there who want to wait until the ‘right’ time, I dare you to throw that idea away, start right now, and watch the project unfold in front of your eyes. It’s a beautiful process.

My newest Proof of Concept is the short film SAVAGE SEASON, which was just officially had its world premiere at the HollyShorts Annual Film Festival in LA! You can also catch us at the Micheaux Film Festival on Sunday October 26th. Inspired by a true story, a relationship junkie ends things with her long-term partner of seven years and finds herself alone and lost in a late-night corner store, tortured by her own thoughts. Ambushed by her friends, she is challenged to dream bigger and awaken from autopilot before her 30th birthday. SAVAGE SEASON is a 15 minute short film about reclaiming your inner child, burning down everything that comes with “adult autopilot,” and reinventing yourself. It explores the intimacy that happens when you let your friends witness you as you’re falling apart. It pairs the grounded surrealism of “I May Destroy You” with the splashy-friendship physical comedy of “Girls Trip.” While the protagonist’s subconscious fears haunt her, her friendships will help her face the future with fun and levity. My dream is turn it into a TV show that I shoot in my hometown of Washington DC.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Start before you are ready.

Circles rise together- don’t build with people higher than you, build laterally.

Prioritize living well and not being the tormented artist- read THE Artist Bible, which is “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is someone who wants to work in process, not in perfection. I love getting messy with my clients, and seeing their Google doc scribbles, their raw ideas, and their random quotations… this is the genesis of something SPECIAL. Not a thorough powerpoint that is A+ quality but has no beating heart.

I pride myself on being a safe space for all artists- our work is confidential, cuz, to quote Erykah Badu, “you’re an artist, and you’re sensitive about your $hit.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://howtopitchtv.com/shop/ols/products/the-october-challenge-proof-of-concept-workshop
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/howtopitchfortv
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-boyd-creative/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@unglamoroustruths
• Other: Join the October challenge and knock that item off your 2025 to-do list: create your Proof of Concept.
  Wednesday, October 29th, from 5:30-7 pm Pacific, 8:30-10 pm Eastern.

  Don’t let your year end without finalizing your thoughts for your Proof of Concept. Join the October Challenge to execute own your idea, with the Proof of Concept Workshop. https://howtopitchtv.com/shop/ols/products/the-october-challenge-proof-of-concept-workshop.

  Max 8 people. This Zoom masterclass will give you hands-on coaching with Crystal Boyd, the CEO of How to Pitch TV, who will reveal insider knowledge of creating your next PoC, which is your artistic calling card, or the visual piece that will launch your idea into a fully funded, scaleable film or TV show for screens everywhere. Crystal’s current Proof of Concept is award-nominated and debuting in film festivals across the country right now.

  Wednesday, October 29th, from 5:30-7 pm Pacific, 8:30-10 pm Eastern.

  In the 1.5 hour workshop we will cover:

  What exactly IS a proof of concept?
  10 ways to run a successful Seed + Spark Campaign to raise for your idea
  You’ve shot your PoC. Here’s what NOT to include in your pitch materials
  Take advantage of the Film Festival Circuit: Dos and Don’ts
  How to Pitch your PoC to execs + how to stay in touch with Execs

  Learn how to master your Proof of Concept so that you are unstoppable when you set up your studio meetings. Remember, your Proof of Concept is MORE important than writing your script! Execs will pay you to write your script.

  Get your Proof of Concept in shape and complete your 2025 takeover now.
  https://howtopitchtv.com/shop/ols/products/the-october-challenge-proof-of-concept-workshop.