Producer Paul Alvarado-Dykstra co-founded Fantastic Fest, which The Wrap calls "a kingmaker of genre films," and this year featured such titles as the breakout hit Smile, The Banshees of Inisherin, Bones and All, Decision to Leave, The Menu, Something in the Dirt, Terrifier 2, Triangle of Sadness, Werewolf by Night, and many more.
He is a former assistant to Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, with whom he worked in creative development on several projects, including Hellboy. Currently he is developing several film and television projects, including an animated horror series with Beauty and the Beast director Gary Trousdale, producer Samantha Inoue Harte and Emmy-winning anime studio Gonzo. He also moderates for Texas Book Festival, Austin Film Festival and their On Story series on PBS, and regularly consults on film and TV projects (both in development and post).
Paul recently served as VP of Content and Marketing for New Sky Pictures, overseeing development and production for New Sky Kids, a leading channel of original digital series for kids, starring kids, with 2.4 million subscribers and 1.7 billion views on YouTube. While there he oversaw the launch of their premium subscription streaming service at NewSkyKids.com, the New Sky Kids mobile app, and a partnership with Common Sense Media’s Sensical. As executive producer, he developed and co-showran several scripted and unscripted series, such as Kid Ninja and their flagship superhero series High Top Princess.
Previously, Paul served as creative director and producer for digital marketing agency AHD, where his projects included the “Will Kitty Play With It?” web series for Purina Friskies and “the best cross-marketing campaign of all time” (according to EliteDaily) — putting Grumpy Cat on the Game of Thrones Iron Throne at SXSW. Additionally, he’s worked with Oscar-nominated documentarian Frances Reid, Emmy-nominated producer Scott Carter, and on a variety of projects for Sony, New Line, Comedy Central, HBO, MTV, SiriusXM, and many more.
Please note: By using this service, you are not submitting your project to Fantastic Fest nor are you submitting your project to Paul as a representative of Fantastic Fest. You are submitting for feedback from Paul as an individual.
Contacting Paul 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.
Paul and Fantastic Fest do not accept or consider unsolicited submissions of any kind. Do not submit Unsolicited Materials to Paul via any means (including, without limitation, via Social Media, Mail, Fax or E-mail).
Paul 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 Fantastic Fest. All Unsolicited Materials are deleted or discarded without being reviewed.
Tips on pitching to Paul Alvarado-Dykstra
Guidelines
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.
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.
Need help with your pitch?
Download the Stage 32 Pitching Guidebook
Questions or Concerns?
WriterHelp@Stage32.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.