Becoming a TZ Member: The 101

We are excited to announce we are now taking members for 2024 until midnight on May 14th.

At that time much like the Disney Vault, TZ membership will be closed until we have more spots open up in the fall/winter of 2024/2025! So get your applications in now - APPLY HERE (external link, opens in new window) !

Here’s the link!

Our incubation period at TZ begins with TZ Summer, it’s a celebration of our current membership and a time to bring in and celebrate new members. We host weekly workshops during our TZ Summer bootcamp, that set you up to take on the challenges of this era in the arts and entertainment industry. Of equal importance, it provides you with an amazing community of other creative and innovative people, who are working on some of the same goals as you.

What is TZ Summer?

We have a whole other post that deep dives the benefits of the TZ Summer bootcamp - so be sure to check that out, and we also have an info session hosted by our TZ Leadership. You can find that here (opens in new window) .

What happens after I apply?

This incubator was created by people who create for a living. We’ve been on your side of the table, so we try to make this process as beneficial and easy for you as possible.

Tip: The written application is designed to make your pitch easier, so make sure you keep those answers!

After your application is sent, our tz team sits down to discuss who we can best help over the next 9 months. If selected, you will get an email with an offer to pitch.

We’re available for questions before your pitch - but in the coming days, we’ll also be putting out ideas/best practices for pitching here and across social media, so hopefully we’ll answer those questions for you.

Don’t worry it’s virtual!

You have five minutes to pitch, and we accept all forms of pitches - if you wish to make it a presentation deck, a trailer, or just a monologue - that’s up to you. 

But after those five minutes, here’s what we need a clear idea about:

• Why need to believe this idea has promise, and you have some clear goals of how you plan on getting there.  
• We need to believe it has a clear audience/customer base 
• We need to believe you and your team are not only the folks who can make these goals come to life, but are coachable, and have the bandwidth and time that it will require! 
• And finally, we like honesty - so let us know why you need the Transmedia Zone! This isn’t a funding application, it’s a place that provides help! So make sure we know what you need help building and where your areas of improvement are - so we know if it’s a good match. 

After the pitch, we spend the next five minutes asking questions to clarify those criteria above,  and we also give you a chance to ask us questions, to make sure we’re right for you too! 

Ok, but really - do I need to make a deck? 

The best pitch/use of canva is not what we’re looking for - we’re looking for great ideas with founders/creatives who have the willingness and passion, to work on the goals and make the changes, that will be required to make their idea come to life, or get their project/business to the next level. So if you can make sure we walk away with a clear idea of the criteria listed in the previous section - then maybe you don’t! 

Tip: If the success of your project depends on great visuals to find and capture a customer base, or audience - it really helps to show us something visual, so we can get on the same page faster.

How long will I have to wait? 

Waiting is brutal, and we will always respect your time here at TZ. If you’re chosen for TZ membership, you will hear back within one week - and usually we try and make it sooner.

If you’re not chosen within a week, unfortunately it wasn’t a fit. 

If I’m not chosen to pitch, am I still allowed to apply, for just the bootcamp?

Of course so be sure to let us know, if that interests you - when you fill out your member application form, so we can be in touch.  

May I ask why I didn’t make it?

We know how valuable this can be, but unfortunately we don’t have the bandwidth to let everyone know the specific reasons they weren’t chosen.   

BUT

If we think your project was just missing a single ingredient, you will hear from us on what we would need to update, so you can re-pitch for our next member period. 

If we think your project may fit a different community or incubator, we will let you know that as well, so you can get the help you need. Often in our post pitch feedback, we’ll be honest on the areas that weren’t as clear, so no matter what the result at TZ, you can improve your pitch. 

And if you choose to join the bootcamp, it will definitely help you define and fix the issues you need to work on, as well as making your whole project/business stronger.

What if I want to be a member but I can’t make the bootcamp?

If this is just one or two sessions, we can help you make them up.

If you’re away for a majority of our bootcamp, but feel membership is still right for you, you still need to fill out the form. 

All TZ members have to go through this pitch application process, so if there are conflicting dates - please make note of that on your application’s last question, and we can talk about that, when you’re invited to pitch.


If I’m not selected as a member, may I still apply for just the bootcamp?

You may, so be sure to let us know, if that interests you - when you fill out your member application form. 

So there you have it, our usual FAQ - here are some more FAQ’s below and a reminder to check out the TZ Summer post/info session!

- TZ