Pitch Jonathan Barkan (Sunday, August 29th 2021)

• About Jonathan Barkan

Jonathan Barkan is an Executive Producer who has a long history in horror having started his career as the Editor-in-Chief of Dread Central and Bloody Disgusting.

His recent producing credits include Kyle Edward Ball's experimental supernatural horror SKINAMARINK (SHUDDER, IFC MIDNIGHT), MY CHERRY PIE, distributed by BayView Enterainment, as well as TV shows like ETHERIA for Amazon and DREAD: THE UNSOLVED for Dread Central. Jonathan is also credited on over two dozen feature films in which he has lent his expertise. He is currently producing MENTAL HEALTH AND HORROR, a documentary discussing the positive impact horror films can have.

He serves as the Head of Distribution at VMI Releasing (through VMI Worldwide). Previously, he was Head of Acquisitions and Development Director for Distribution Company at Mutiny Pictures.

Mutiny Pictures distributed the horror-thriller I AM LISA, the Drama DRIVE ALL NIGHT, and the historical drama THE MATCH. Jonathan was the VP of Feature Film Acquisitions and Distribution for The Horror Collective, where he discovered and acquired horror, thriller, and sci-fi titles. The Horror Collective's latest release is the micro-budget horror project SHIFTER.

Jonathan was also the Acquisitions Ambassador for DREAD Presents, a genre-centric distribution label under the banner of Epic Pictures Group. He has served as a jury member at various film festivals around the world, including South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, BIFAN in South Korea, Popcorn Frights in Florida, HARD: LINE in Germany, and Fantasia in Quebec, amongst others.

Jonathan loves to find elevated genre stories he can develop.

 

Jonathan specializes in Horror, Thriller and Sci-Fi Feature Film scripts. 

Tips on pitching to Jonathan Barkan

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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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.

What Can Stage 32 Pitch Sessions Do For You?

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

Stage 32 has cultivated professional relationships with over 3,000 industry professionals including managers, agents, development executives, producers, investors and other executives and professionals across the industry who listen to pitches from the Stage 32 community. For these executives and pros, Stage 32 has become the place to discover new talent and material.

How it Works

It’s simple. You simply pick the executive you’d like to pitch to. You can choose to pitch either via Zoom or through a written pitch.

Your executive will give you feedback on the pitch and ask and answer questions in real time. You will learn what works and doesn't work with your material and you can continue to hone your script and pitch as you prepare to go to market.

Then, within 3 weeks, you will receive a scorecard outlining various aspects of your pitch including Pitch Delivery/Format, Clarity of Pitch, Set Up of Protagonist(s) & World, Obstacles & Conflict, Clarity of Tone, Originality of Concept and Strength of Voice.

Further, you will receive an industry standard PASS or REQUEST for your project. If you receive a request for your script OR if the executive requests a meeting (or both!), we will facilitate the arrangement!

For over a decade, Stage 32 writers have secured tens of thousands of script requests and thousands of meetings with industry professionals as a result of pitching through Stage 32. These requests and meetings have led to thousands of success stories including writers securing representation, sales, paid options, produced films, open writing assignments, writers room jobs and much more. You can check out our success stories here!

Your Zoom Pitch Format

In our Zoom or Phone pitches, you will pitch directly with the executive through Zoom 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, which will allow for 2-3 minutes of executive questions and feedback.

Your Written Pitch Format

Written Pitches must be no longer than 2 pages submitted as a PDF or WORD document. Your written pitch should include the name of the script, logline, format (feature film or TV pilot) and genre. From there, you’ll want to lay out the main points of your story and character arcs to create and present a clear, concise narrative.

Stage 32 Pitching Tips

Both live and written pitch sessions follow industry standards and are designed to present your pitch to working executives. They will provide you with meaningful, actionable guidance to not only improve the work and the pitch, but to help you best position your work for the marketplace. So please come fully prepared.

Once you sign up for your pitch session you will be given educational resources to help you best prepare your pitch which include example pitch beat sheets for both feature film & TV verbal pitches, examples of both written and feature film written pitches, as well as an example video Zoom pitch.

Code of Conduct

This is a professional environment and you are pitching to seasoned executives. Decorum is important. Please adhere to the guidelines below.

1. Do not ask the executive if they want to read your script during the pitch.
2. Do not reach out to an executive outside of the Stage 32 platform. This is highly unprofessional and will result in being disqualified from pitching again.
3. Stage 32 works directly with our executives. If there is interest in your script or a meeting request, we will facilitate the request.

You’ve worked so hard on your material, we couldn’t be more excited for you to present the work to your executive. We have no doubt that by following the guidelines above, you’re going to do fantastic!

Best wishes with your pitch.

And remember, if you ever have any questions from choosing an executive to which of our services may be right for you, never hesitate to reach out to the Success Team at success@stage32.com - We’re here to help…always!