Pitch Kristy Grisham (Saturday, November 12th 2016)

• About Kristy Grisham
• Pitching Tips

Kristy Grisham is a seasoned Film & TV producer with almost two decades of experience and credits including MURDER MYSTERY, THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN, LOOPER, THE DISCOVERY, COME SUNDAY (Co-Producer), SIDE EFFECTS, FREEHELD (Co-Producer), and the Oscar short-listed documentary EVERY LITTLE STEP amongst many other projects. She has collaborated with best-in-class filmmakers and creative talent like Rian Johnson, Steven Soderbergh, and The Russo Brothers. She served as the Senior Vice President of Development and Production at The Hideaway Entertainment, a production and financing company where she championed Joe and Anthony Russo’s CHERRY, starring Tom Holland and Ciara Bravo, which they independently co-financed with AGBO. She served as Executive Producer on the film, which sold to Apple TV+ for just under $50M, announced in The Hollywood Reporter.

Grisham is responsible for championing the adaptation of Dan Schilling’s nonfiction book, ALONE AT DAWN, with Thruline Entertainment Partner Ron West (“The Great”) and screenwriter Michael Russell Gunn (“Billions”). Grisham was integral in bringing the book proposal to the company, developing the screenplay, and packaging the movie, which attached Jake Gyllenhaal and Sam Hargrave (EXTRACTION Franchise) directing and set up with MGM. Grisham is also producing OTHERWISE ILLEGAL ACTIVITY from THE WOLF OF WALL STREET scribe Terence Winter, the Victorian-era action-adventure pic ESCAPE, with James Watkins (“The Ipcress File”) directing from a script by Patrick McKay and John D. Payne (“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”), Deon Taylor’s action drama FREEDOM RIDE, based on the incredible true story of John Lewis and the Freedom Riders, and CAN YOU HEAR ME? written by Taylor Anthony Hopkins and Luke Kelly-Clyne, alongside Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Productions with Dean Israelite (POWER RANGERS) directing.

Additionally, Grisham oversaw and is executive producing the company’s upcoming limited series FOR THOSE I LOVED based on Martin Gray and Max Gallo’s book, which Robert Schenkkan (HACKSAW RIDGE) is adapting as well as the upcoming limited series, THE SIEGE OF MECCA with Bruce McKenna (“The Pacific”) adapting. Prior to joining The Hideaway Entertainment, Grisham rose through the ranks at Endgame Entertainment over the course of almost a decade, developing and producing several commercial and critically acclaimed films.

Kristy is passionate about championing and developing new projects of all genres.

Kristy specializes in all genres of Feature Film and TV scripts with the exception of Period and Westerns.

Tips on pitching to Kristy Grisham

• If pitching verbally, don't read off a piece of paper. Make it conversational.
• Ground the pitch. Expand on characterization.
• Allow room for questions at the end.

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.