Screenwriting : What makes the Perfect Pitch? by Nick Ferwerda

Have you gotten pro coverage to see if your script is ready?

No, I usually freelance and get hired I usually don't pitch my own projects I'm still pretty new to that game. How would one go about that Shawn?

Pro feedback points out the strengths and weaknesses of our writing so we know what to work on to go pro. There are many companies that provide solid service. Here's a look at our Happy Writers: https://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/coverage

Thanks for the tip! Really appreciate it! I will be sure to take a look and do this!

Hey Guys, i realize this post may get deleted and i apologize if this sounds like selling services. But Im giving a great 2 hour Webinar on Mastering the Short Pitch on Oct 8th. Early bird registration is only $39!. Ive taught pitch prep at almost every major screenwriting event in the country, including Austin Film Fest the last 3 years. Ive had clients signed from their AFF pitch & ive TAKEN 3500 pitches! If youre loooking to pitch at an event or thru S32, i highly suggest you check it out. www.masteringtheshortpitch.eventbrite.com

It always comes down to the concept. Will millions of people worldwide stand in line to pay to see it?

In my opinion I do think so, I feel it is something very different that has not been done before. However I am asking more on how to go about pitching my idea. What should be in it, What should I avoid while pitching? Stuff like that

Hey Nick, I don't mean to sound like a smart-aleck. Since you're asking for pitch advice, I would not advise you to call your project a "passion project" and something "that has never been done before." These phrases have kind of a notorious reputation in Hollywood. "Passion project" may signal -- the writer loves it, but it's not for a big audience. "Never been done before" may signal -- "I bet there's a good reason why no one has put money into that idea in the past." This is a crazy example. Let me pitch you my passion project of a new restaurant idea; it's never been done before. I love kids and I love ice cream. It's an ice cream shop where kids scoop the ice cream themselves. It's never been done before. -- Well, there's a good reason it's never been done before. It's not sanitary, etc.

Treat a pitch like the opening of a script, with a compelling cliff hanger, sincere but not too smart. Equally important, the correct Pitcheree. And be calm & patient. Good luck.

Screenwriters always give me the ''never been done speech'' and the idea ironically ends up being a recycled idea.

Do not give a cliffhanger. Give them the clincher. Dont hide your story to be cute. A good pitch has the 5 C's - Concept, Character, Conflict, Context and Confidence. this is part of what i cover in my class. And dont say its never been done. i promise it has been - or shouldnt be.

Call it however you like. The thing is to create a page turner. A cliffhanger or a clincher must arouse for more, else both fall equally short.

Hey, Nick... Danny's class looks like a great deal.

Well, Joseph, it's a bit different. A cliffhanger is leaving something hanging - unanswered - as a mystery to grab attention. A clincher is whatever it is about your srory thats going to seal the deal. That could be your hook, it could be your world, it could be your twist ending or shocking plot twist. You wouldnt pitch Sixth Sense and NOT pitch the ending or leave them with a cliffhanger about the twist. The twist IS the clincher. So, it's not the same thing. Ive been teaching pitching for over a decade bc i keep seeing the same mistakes made by writers. And thanks, Shawn!

You start with a problem the character can't ignore, what is the irony of the story, and a lot of action is what i have learned. Example: Bill finds out about a plan to kill all humans, in trying to stop this plan he finds that he is inadvertently aiding the agenda with his actions. He discovers that aliens are behind the takeover and there are wars, rebellions and anarchy everywhere. It is hard to know who to trust especially since the aliens can look like anybody. This is a made up example and not perfection but an idea of the set up. Hope this helps :)

always take the bottled water. I dont know what you have done but if you have 0 experience, 0 Mentors and if you're fortunate to pitch to a real network or established Prod. Company, go seek and pay for advice from a Pro. It's a business. Always be Closing. Executives get a bad rap but they are smart (look at their Education, most have MBAs), they read lots of scripts, hear lots of pitches, their jobs are on the line to find projects.

I think the perfect pitch comes off as a conversation. An executive doesn't like being talked AT, and you sitting there regurgitating some obviously rehearsed piece can be BO-RING. I know he's a divisive figure, but Max Landis is a FABULOUS pitcher. I literally send this link to any writer who's wondering how a pitch should feel (explicit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RWMc-EdDRY Notice for all the plot he's giving, he really focuses on the characters and what they're feeling, how they react to everything happening around them (even the minor side characters). Finally, here's a great class we did on pitching: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Pitching-Fundamentals-Tools-For-Every-P... It's got a ton of incredible information for how to pitch in every setting. When you're ready, shoot me a DM and we can find an executive for you to pitch your material to!

Thanks everyone for all of the awesome information! I really learned some great things from your comments and now have a bunch of stuff to check out!

Way to work the site, Nick! That's what we're here for:) If you''d like, I'll peep your first 3 pages. See if there's anything I can do to help before you pitch: shawnspeake@gmail

Thank you Shawn! That is fantastic I will be sure to send them over to you tonight! And Erik thank you as well for all the fantastic advice you provided you have all given me so much to look at and consider I really appreciate it!

Also, don't forget to elaborate on the commercial viability of your project as the #1 factor. Think dollar signs on the pupils of their eyes - it works.

Zachary Bernard Burggraf. Great point. A theme or song is often bigger than an A-List [Exodus, Ghost Busters, Magnificent 7, Titanic, etc]. If its pre-released and successful, they will come to you.