Pitch Brad Kessell (Sunday, August 2nd 2015)

• About Brad Kessell
• Pitching Tips

Brad Kessell most recently developed and produced CHAMPIONS for Focus Features and Gold Circle. Champions starred Woody Harrelson and Kaitlin Olson in a feel good comedy directed by Bobby Farrelly.

Brad began his movie career first as a story analyst then VP under the legendary Sherry Lansing at Paramount. At Paramount over nearly 20 years, Brad worked on scores of pictures including FATAL ATTRACTION, THE ACCUSED, INDECENT PROPOSAL, FIRST WIVES CLUB, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, TIMELINE and many others. He was fortunate enough to work with directors as diverse and talented as Francis Coppola, Billy Friedkin, Adrian Lyne, Dick Donner, and Phillip Kaufman and such esteemed producers as Scott Rudin, Alan Ladd Jr., Mace Neufeld, David Picker, Gale Ann Hurd, Lauren Shuler Donner and Robert Evans.

After nearly 20 years at Paramount, Brad segued to work at Gold Circle, one of the most long-lived and successful independent film financiers in the business. There, he contributed his development skills to Gold Circle's slate which emphasized mainly comedies and supernatural horror films. Brad produced or had a significant hand in developing such pictures as the WHITE NOISE franchise, THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT, WEDDING DATE, BECAUSE I SAID SO, LIFE AS WE KNOW IT, THE FOURTH KIND, PITCH PERFECT 1 and 2, GREEK WEDDING 2, THE NEW DAUGHTER, I STILL SEE YOU, and recently, Lionsgate’s Halloween release PREY FOR THE DEVIL.

Through the years, Brad has purchased and developed scripts by many unproduced writers and/or first time directors, often giving them their 'first break'. He has gained a reputation for working with and mentoring talented but inexperienced writers to bring out the best in their work.

Brad is particularly interested in stories (no matter the genre) which invest us in the emotional journey of the protagonist. Feel-good comedies, romantic comedies, dramedies and dramas that make us laugh AND cry. Stories that inspire. Horror that scares us in an elemental, existential, character-based way, not just with 'jump scares' or gore. Characters we CARE about. Characters succeeding against impossible odds.

Brad is open to all genres of film. 

Movies Gold Circle Films has produced:

 

​​Please note: By using this service, you are not submitting your project to Gold Circle nor are you submitting your project to Brad as a representative of Gold Circle. You are submitting for feedback from Brad as an individual.

Contacting Brad via email or any social media with an unsolicited submission outside of Stage 32 is a violation of their privacy and our user policy and could result in suspension from the site. They will not reply to any friend requests, network requests, or emails they receive. They have been instructed to forward all unsolicited contact to Stage 32 administration for review.

Brad and Gold Circle do not accept or consider unsolicited submissions of any kind. Do not submit Unsolicited Materials to Brad via any means (including, without limitation, via Social Media, Mail, Fax or E-mail).

Brad will not treat Unsolicited Materials as confidential and will not review, keep, acknowledge or return the submission or any related materials. Any Unsolicited Materials will become sole property of Gold Circle. All Unsolicited Materials are deleted or discarded without being reviewed.

 

Tips on pitching to Brad Kessell

Tips on pitching to Brad:

• Jump into the story. Cut to the chase.
• Highlight what makes your story cinematic. What are the big set pieces?
• Make sure the tone is clear. If it's a thriller, for example, the pitch needs to showcase a few of the most thrilling moments.
• Keep your verbal pitch under 6 minutes and your written pitches under 2 pages.
• Give away the ending.

Guidelines

• You may only pitch ONE project per reservation. Execs are looking for projects they can develop, NOT portfolios.
• You should have a completed script available upon request for the project you pitch.
• Do not reach out to the executives unless directed by Stage 32. They do NOT accept unsolicited material or appreciate being cold-called/emailed by strangers.
• Missed reservations are not refundable and will not be rescheduled.

Live Pitches

Within 15 minutes of your scheduled pitch, the exec will reach out by Skype or Phone. Your pitch session will last approximately 8 minutes.

Written Pitches

Written Pitches will be no more than 2 pages submitted as a PDF or WORD document. Any written pitch uploaded past the deadline will not be shown to the executive and will result in a non-refundable forfeiture of your pitch.

Scorecards

Within 3-4 weeks of your pitch session, you will receive a Pitch Scorecard on which the exec you pitched will provide pitch feedback and note if they are PASSing, or would like to REQUEST your material.

If you are requested, you will be notified via email with further instructions. The execs will have 2-3 months to review your material and note if they are PASSing, or would like a MEETING. If a meeting is requested, we will introduce you via email.

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Please understand that these are working executives, and their schedules are subject to change at a moment's notice. We always strive to give you at least 24 hours of notice if a session has been cancelled, and we will recommend another executive for you to pitch your material to.

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Need help with your pitch?
Download the Stage 32 Pitching Guidebook

Questions or Concerns?
WriterHelp@Stage32.com

What Are Stage 32 Pitch Sessions?

You've written your feature screenplay or TV pilot and you believe it is ready for the market. But, how do you know if your script or pitch are in the best shape to take your project - or your career - to the next level?

Whether you're preparing to find (or switch) representation, or go out with a script to production companies, studios or buyers, Stage 32 Pitch Sessions are a great first step to make sure you are on the right track.

For nearly a decade Stage 32 has maintained professional relationships with over 1,000 industry professionals including development executives, managers and producers across the industry. These executives work with us to listen to your pitch and provide feedback for you, all while finding undiscovered scripts they wouldn't normally have access to. With executives helping you understand what works and doesn't work with your material you can continue to hone your script and pitch as you prepare to go to market.

Through feedback given during Stage 32 Pitch Sessions, hundreds of writers have had success in their careers. Stage 32 writers have moved on to be signed, optioned, produced (including the 2020 film CHICK FIGHT), or put into development with industry professionals. In fact, in the last year alone, there were over 2,000 script requests and 500 meetings set up with industry professionals for writers through Stage 32.

How Does a Pitch via Skype or Phone Work?

Part of having a great script means that you have to be prepared to pitch it in a room or through a video pitch. It's important that you know the nuts and bolts of your pitch in order to give yourself the best chance for success when pitching it. We're here to help you.

In our Skype or Phone pitches, you have the option to pitch face-to-face directly with the executive through Skype or via telephone. Your pitch will be 8 minutes in total. It is up to you on how you want to use your time, but we recommend you spend 5-6 minutes to pitch your project, followed by 2-3 minutes of questions or feedback from the person to whom you are pitching.

This is a great way to work out pitching your material while establishing a new connection in the industry! You will be able to interact with the executive of your choice who specializes in the genre and format of your project. Would you like tips on how to pitch live? Download our pitching guidebook here.

How Does a Written Pitch Work?

Don't feel comfortable pitching live yet? Not a problem! Alternatively, you can submit a written pitch of up to 2-pages in length. This option is perfect for those writers who feel more comfortable expressing their ideas on the page rather than in person. It also allows for flexibility if you are unable to pitch live during a scheduled session.

Would you like an example of a written pitch? Simply email writerhelp@stage32.com for a sample written pitch.

5 Tips To Make Your Pitch Successful

Remember that executives who are hearing your pitch are supportive and want to give you the tools to succeed! There are ways in which you can help make that happen. Here are some tips to help you during your pitch.

1. Talk briefly about yourself and your connection to the material.
2. Give the title, logeline, genre(s), and comparable film or television tiles.
3. Set up the world in which your story takes place in and then the protagonist. Then dive into the story pitch.
4. Less is more! Make sure that your pitch is clear, concise, focused, and engaging. Do not try to pack too much into your initial 5-6 minutes and be sure to leave time for questions and answers.
5. Be polite and receptive - remember the person on the other end does this for a living and their feedback is invaluable for you to understand where you fare in the marketplace.

Do not ask the executive if they want to read your script during the pitch. Do not reach out to an executive outside of the Stage 32 platform. Doing so will have the opposite of the intended effect. Stage 32 is a professional organization and if there is interest in your script, we will facilitate the request.

These are set up as industry-standard professional pitching sessions so we expect you to be fully prepared. If you have questions or need help, don't hesitate to contact the Stage 32 Script Services team at any time writerhelp@stage32.com. We're happy to help.