Stage 32 5-Part Private Pitching Lab: How to Master Your 5 Minute Pitch (February 2024)

Work one-on-one with a top Development Executive on your pitch

Limited spots available - 5 Spots Remain

Payment Plans Available - email edu@stage32.com

The problem is, writing and pitching are two very distinct skillsets. Just because you’re a great writer doesn’t mean you’re also great at pitching. At least not initially. But like any skill, it’s something that can be honed, practiced, and improved upon. You may be missing out on opportunities right now because you struggle to get decision makers excited about your story, but this can be remedied, especially with the right one-on-one support and mentorship.

Speaking of which…

We want to introduce Will McCance to you. Will is the Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's SIX UNDERGROUND and FINDING 'OHANA for Netflix. At Ian Bryce Productions, Will oversees the company's entire development slate. Before working with Ian Bryce, Will worked in development at Original Film's TV department, working on hit shows such as THE BOYS (Amazon) and PREACHER (AMC), as well as on SWAT (CBS) and HAPPY! (Syfy).

Through his years working as an executive, Will has deep experience with working with writers and choosing to work with them or not based on their pitch. He knows exactly what needs to go into a successful pitch.

In this exclusive 5-week virtual lab you will:

• Be guided through the fundamentals of pitching, including a deep dive of the five minute pitch, how to distill your script into your pitch, and how to ultimately deliver it with confidence.
• Work one-on-one with Will in understanding the intricacies and art of your pitch.
• Build your own five minute pitch for your specific project under Will’s guidance.

Best of all?

In addition to Zoom meetings, Will will be available to you on email throughout the lab so you can ask him any questions about your pitch, your craft or your career! Whether you’re working on a feature, a series, and no matter the genre, Will is here to help.

This lab is designed as an intimate, safe-space for you to hone and practice your pitch with the guidance of a professional and the support from like-minded writers. You'll also have a lounge post dedicated to your lab group so you can stay in touch with your classmates in between Zoom sessions!

WEEK 1 – Storyselling & The Foundation of Pitching

In this week’s session, we will introduce the various forms of pitching, including the elevator pitch, the 5-minute concept pitch, and the full feature/TV pitch. The goal of this session will be to create a foundation for pitching that the next sessions will build on.

KEY TOPIC: Storyselling -- What It Is and Why We Need It

• Who sells ideas and who is buying them?
• What ideas sell and what ideas don’t?
• When is the best time to pitch?
• Where do storyselling opportunities present themselves?
• Why is it important to learn how to sell your story?
• Q&A with Will

Assignment will be given.

Have questions in between classes? Will is available on email to help you work though elements of your own pitch.

WEEK 2 – The Concept Pitch: 5 Minutes of Focus

In the second session, we will break down the 5-minute concept pitch, the main focus of this lab. Students will learn the basic boxes to check when constructing their own concept pitches, while gaining a better understanding of how to construct the perfect logline.

KEY TOPIC: The 5-Minute Pitch

• How this kind of pitch can be useful and why
• Pitfalls of the 5-minute pitch
• Anatomy of 5-minute sale
• 5-minute pitch example
• Learning to read a room
• Q&A with Will

Assignment will be given.

Have questions in between classes? Will is available on email to help you work though elements of your own pitch.

WEEK 3 – Distilling a Script Into a Pitch

Students will learn how to break down a pre-existing script into a concept pitch.

KEY TOPIC: The Devil in the Details

• Tips for finding the broad strokes
• What to pull from a script and why
• Strategies for sending someone your script after a concept pitch
• Breaking down a feature script versus pilot/series
• Q&A with Will

Assignment will be given.

Have questions in between classes? Will is available on email to help you work though elements of your own pitch.

WEEK 4 – No class: One-on-One Consultations

You will get to meet with Will McCance one-on-one to practice your 5-minute concept pitch, followed by Will's discussion and feedback.

WEEK 5 – Live Concept Pitch Workshop

In this final week, you will workshop your 5-minute concept pitch with the class and give and receive feedback for each other's pitch all under the guidance of Will. This is a safe space meant to help and encourage one another to help our pitches get better. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

• This lab is designed for beginner and intermediate level writers interested in improving a 5-minute pitch their project.

• By the end of this 5-week lab, you will have a professional 5-minute pitch for your project vetted by a professional in the industry.

• This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.

• You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.

• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.

• **Will will be available on email during the 5 sessions to answer any questions you have about your project.**

Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information

Thursday February 8th 3pm-5pm PT

Thursday February 15th 3pm-5pm PT

Thursday February 22th 3pm-5pm PT

Thursday February 29th 3pm-5pm PT

Thursday March 7th 3pm-5pm PT

Q: What is the format of a lab?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Labs are typically 90-minute broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32.

Q: Do I have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer! If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live class. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer

Q: What if I cannot attend the live lab class?
A: If you attend a live online class, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class. If you cannot attend a live class, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A. Plus, your instructor will be available via email throughout the lab.

Q: Will I have access to the lab afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of the lab, you will have on-demand access to the video recording, which you can view as many times as you'd like!