I started pitching my Horror Comedy game show, JUMP SCARES, near the start of March. I was pitching it on Stage 32 (I posted my show in the Logline Section of my profile). Pitching a project on Stage 32 is great – I recommend doing it! – but it wasn't this alone that led to my signing a shopping agreement. That happened from networking in the Stage 32 Lounges.

IT STARTED WITH A LOUNGE POST

In the past, I had been a lurker. But, after being inspired by Stage 32 CEO Richard Botto's call to step up and take advantage of this amazing community, I stopped lurking and started interacting. Over time I was able to get past any nervousness and feel comfortable interacting with strangers through the platform.

Then, during Stage 32’s Introduce Yourself Weekend (the third weekend of every month), Sharon Nash Alexander (connect with her here!) made a post in the Introduce Yourself Lounge saying she was always looking for unscripted pitches.

Sharon is a producer/writer who has developed and pitched a variety of concepts for television and film projects to TLC, Paramount, Authentic TV, Endemol, Warner Horizon, Asylum Entertainment, Arthur Smith Productions, 44 Blue, OWN, and NBC. She sold two projects to HGTV.

After talking with Sharon briefly and asking if it was okay to message her a pitch for an unscripted show, she said yes. During our email conversations, Sharon wanted to know more about the show before signing onto the project, which makes perfect sense – I highly suggest you ask questions before signing onto projects, and I highly suggest you research who you’re going to work with, which I did.

I answered Sharon’s questions about the show, and boy, she really knows her stuff about unscripted shows. She pointed out things I never thought of for my show.

THE SHOPPING AGREEMENT

After I answered Sharon’s questions, she sent me a shopping agreement (which I read over and over to make sure everything looked right). I don’t have an entertainment lawyer right now, but I have read/signed enough agreements to understand the language used in them. I do, however, suggest you get an entertainment lawyer to look over agreements, script options, etc. I plan to get an entertainment lawyer for future agreements, options, etc. to be on the safe side.

PITCH DECK AND SIZZLE REEL

I usually only make pitch decks for my unscripted shows, but I wanted to give myself an edge, so I made a sizzle reel. If you don’t know how to make pitch decks and sizzle reels, you can learn how or hire someone to make them for you.

People liked my sizzle reel, but it needed some work as Sharon pointed out. While redoing my sizzle reel, I saw ways to improve my pitch deck. Sharon gave me great feedback on both of them, which made them better.

With my pitch deck and sizzle reel finished, I sent them to Sharon for one last review. She was satisfied (and impressed) with them and on March 27th, she started pitching the show to her contacts.

One thing about pitch decks and sizzle reels: just like scripts, pitch decks and sizzle reels need feedback. Stage 32 has a TV Pitch Bible or Feature Pitch Deck Review + 30 Minute Talk with an Executive. Stage 32 also has a Reel Review + 30-Minute Talk with Industry Professional.

NETWORKING IN THE LOUNGES

Stage 32 has incredible Lounges where you can meet fellow creatives and industry professionals. And the Lounges have great advice and resources.

Jump in and build relationships/network in the Lounges. Make posts, ask questions, and comment on people’s posts. There might be the perfect opportunity for your project right there in the Lounges, but if you’re not active in the Lounges, you might miss that opportunity.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to people in the Lounges, try this approach: start conversations with things you’re comfortable talking about.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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