A filmmaker on my network asked me to send him a pitch book about my screenplay. I asked another filmmaker if he knew anything about pitch books. He didn't. I have been looking up how to write pitch books and I can't find any info I can use, instructions or anythng. Does anyone know what I am talking about?
Screenwriting : Pitch Books by John Watson
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Never heard of such a thing. Does he mean a treatment??
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Sounds like a look book... a visual representation of mood, theme and story.
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just call up the filmmaker and ask, "hey, what do you want exactly?"
I have heard the term on the Writers Panel by people saying it is a tool they use to support the pitch. I would contact them and ask. If I was working blind to answer this I would give characters backgrounds, some overall themes etc.
But yeah, Philip, reading more about it it does include illustrations.
If you're presenting yourself as a director, then a look book or pitch book makes sense. Otherwise, a single page - with a log line and a synopsis - in my experience, is the only thing you need as a screenwriter to present a script.
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Why didn't you or don't you ask the filmmaker what he means by a pitch book? I'm not having a go at you but I see so many people post threads asking others to explain something that someone else has asked for. The best way to get it right is to ask that person to explain what it is they want. There's no shame in not knowing everything. One of the great columns by Terry Rossio details a time they were asked by a studio to provide a treatment. At that time treatments were very new and few people knew what they were. Rossio and Elliott didn't know either so they asked the studio to explain it to them, the studio didn't but kept asking for it (assuming it was the new buzz word and they just had to have one) so Rossio responded by saying they'll happily provide one as soon as the studio can give them an example of what they wanted. The treatment request was soon forgotten. If the responses in this thread can't give you a 100% accurate description then it will be worse if you provide something that is wrong rather than asking what the filmmaker wants.
Not really. He even referred to it as a pitch deck.
Hmm, I have heard the term "look-book". Since its harder for writers to break it in this industry simply via a script alone, its better to use this method or a test-reel.
A pitch book or look book is usually only for Directors. i have been in this biz 14 years and have never heard of someone asking a writer for one.
So he must have mistaken me for a writer/director. But he is pretty clear on that, now. He just asked me for a two page treatment.
I am familiar with 'Pitch' which is 2 pages, and which I am trying to do for my 6 scripts, but I haven't heard of a Pitch Book. Perhaps question the credentials of the person requiring it.
No need. Seems legit. I just assume he operates differently.
I just checked him out on IMDB. Lists a lot of work. But regardless, he seems authentic.