One thing I have noticed about pitches - every executive likes/dislikes something different about the pitch. Which leads me to believe it's very subjective. I have probably re-written my pitch a dozen times. I seem to get a lot more interest when an executive just reads the screenplay itself. Anyone else have that experience?
Screenwriting : Pitch sessions by Toby Tate
Other topics in Screenwriting:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
2 people like this
Toby: ten different people having ten different opinions about the many elements and nuances of a script? Who would have thunk it???!!! Heh-heh. Good luck, bro!
1 person likes this
Yes-in fact I prefer the executives that give you some guidance as to what they are specifically looking for in a pitch-which as you've said, will vary from person to person.
So far I've gotten everything from a one to a five, often on the same points. I mainly try to figure out which points most consistently get the same grade, e.g. pitch delivery/format, obstacles and conflict, etc.
4 people like this
There are a couple of issues in pitch sessions. 1) Can the person on the other side of table buy or option your screenplay? Do they work for a company who can get it made or who can sell it to someone who can get it made? If not . . . you aren't pitching to a "buyer". If someone can't say "yes" they will often make you jump through hoops or give you a lot of negative feedback because they can't say "yes". They can only say "no" and they have to explain why. 2) Every real "buyer" in a pitch situation has a set of requirements that must be met in order to say "yes". They might only do comedies. They might only do horror. Their budget limit might be $5M. They might not be able to do anything that costs less than $100M. In real life, getting to "yes" requires knowing what they require to say "yes". If you know their requirements, your pitch can come in an email and they'll ask for the script because they are actively looking for what you are selling.
I try to focus my pitches as much as possible according to genre, budget requirements, etc. I also look at their previous productions and try to find any interviews that they have done. Pretty much the same way I research agents/publishers for my books. So far, the most interest I have had is from getting coverage notes, where the executive actually has to read the script.
2 people like this
Agree with everything Nancy said. And even when you know- kinda- what someone is looking for...you really don't exactly know what they are looking for...and what they may have available to them, or access to...like specific location sets, people, or other resources. The inner motivations and reasons why some scripts get purchased and made aren't exactly privy to the hundreds of writers seeking to be "the one" in any single "Producer Seeks Script" scenario. It's not for everyone...that's for sure...but still....there has probably never been a better time since the beginning of cinema history to try and sell a script that may be made into a film...at least in my opinion. Good luck, bro!