Hello!
Apologizing for the length...
I am posting this for others who have written about pitching and/or are hesitant to pitch on Stage32 platform. However, please note that I did this for MY own research/data mining which has a component to my strategic planning. I realize that other people have their own way of doing things, their own reasons, and own approach. So if you’re apt to comment, I am requesting like Donald Sutherland's character in Kelly’s Heroes “Don’t hit me with those negative waves...”
After having experience in research/stats in another field, I decided to do something similar in a quantitative/qualitative information gathering for myself.
OVERALL TAKE AWAYS from my 30 day experiment: PROS: I have learned which script(s) are front runners and/or what needs to be worked on (when I get the same notes from more than 2 people who's perspective and background I feel is relevant, I listen closely, both positive and negative). I have polished my fast pitch after 3 decades of not playing, I have met several wonderful people and I will consider pitching to some again. I feel more confident with my skills. It was super fun. I will now adjust my overall strategic plan accordingly. CONS: There's a cost. Which is also a PRO. There's a cost of time, money and energy driving around the city to pitch. So I'm OK with this. In fact, I'm realllly grateful.
Wanting to get a wide demographic, I pitched 5 screenplays, 12 times to 11 execs/producers and managers, (1 person was 2x). They were different genders, ethnic backgrounds, ages, and either from the US (10)or UK (2). Mostly were verbal, 2 were written.
My “score” was a close average of the numerical sheet they return.
Here are my results listed by project:
1) ROM COM/FAMILY
a. Verbal. 96% score Result: PASS
Take away: liked the producer enough to pitch another script, wonderful notes, good connection, we found out we knew someone in common
2) FEMALE DRIVEN COMEDY
a. Written. 94% score PASS
b. Verbal. 78% PASS (2nd pitch to the same producer)
c. Verbal Producer WAITING ON RESPONSE
Take away: there was the same note from both responders. This caused me to rethink and add a scene to flush out a character more. I then pitched it to a producer (outside of Stage32) and it was REQUESTED.
3) DRAMA/SUSPENSE:
a. Verbal pitch to Manager. Score 74% REQUESTED
b. Verbal pitch to Exec Score 94% REQUESTED
c. Written to Manager WAITING ON RESPONSE
Take away: This is my script being shopped already. Ironically, it was the one I posted here for feedback and received some negative and harsh responses on my logline. I pitched it here in attempt to grab a manager or connect the present producer to the exec.
4) ACTION /THRILLER
a. Verbal pitch to Exec. Score 82% PASS
b. Verbal pitch to Producer 92% PASS
c. Verbal Pitch to Producer 72% PASS
d. Verbal pitch to Producer 72% PASS
Take away: This was my most commercially appealing script in my opinion. HOWEVER, no one liked it. LOL. I will consider to re-pitching to 3 out of the 4 execs (One was not my cup of tea) with other scripts. The notes were very positive to me personally with my pitch "style. "
5) ELEVATED HORROR COMEDY
a. Verbal pitch, Producer. Stayed overtime. Score 90% REQUESTED DURING PITCH
Take away: Great notes given, wonderful connection between us. Will pitch again in this genre if I have another. NOTE: I pitched this as a SHORT and informed the exec that I wanted his opinion if this should be made into a feature because of his expertise.
HOPE ALL THIS HELPS/GIVES INSIGHTS FOR SOME OF YOU
THANK YOU STAGE32 for making these services available to us. I can't tell you how much I appreciate having a choice to go straight to pitch instead of the schlep in LA.