I've got a completed feature comedy I wrote and I'm getting close to finishing another. I've never done a pitch and I'm thinking about doing that soon. My career goal is to direct the movies I write. Are the pitch sessions that you see on Stage 32 and elsewhere typically just to sell the script? Or do the people you pitch to also have an ability to get you in contention to direct? Should I mention that I want to direct if I'm in a screenwriting pitch on Skype? Any info about that is greatly appreciated. Thank you! :)
Screenwriting : I want to direct my screenplays. Pitch sessions specifically for that or do all apply? by Scot Michael Walker
I want to direct my screenplays. Pitch sessions specifically for that or do all apply?
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Why are you pitching it if your intention is to direct it? Sounds like you're just looking for someone to fund it. Pitch it to Project Greenlight or seek funding for yourself.
Have to agree with Pierre here. Sound like if you want to direct the screenplay yourself, just pitch to people who will fund the film. And with the pitch sessions, they are strictly to sell a script. Sometimes the studios or a production company have someone in mind. But you do get the occasion where they ask if you have a director. And if you answer "Yeah me." then keep running with the plan to sell the script. That's the best advice I can give to you about this.
Thanks for the feedback. I already produced and funded a feature and two shorts. I can't fund them anymore so I'm like a million writer/directors - I need money. The pitch sessions on here are only for selling a script. Thanks for that info!
You should tell them you wanted to direct your own film.
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We have film financiers taking pitches often (Cold Iron Pics is coming in this weekend), but to put it bluntly: they aren't going to fork over a couple million bones and just "trust" that you'll be able to direct it. When you pitch your script and get the meeting, that's when you can bring up wanting to direct. At that point, they'll want to see what else you've directed, then they'll weigh that against other options. Say your script costs $5 million to make... well, they could make your movie for $5 million and take a gamble that it turns out right, and makes money back... OR they could toss in another $1 million for a director's fee and get some recent sundance winner to direct it and have it be their "highly anticipated sophomore feature". If the projected returns are greater than the cost to get the director, then you're probably SOL. Outside of self-financing, you're going to need a strong director's reel and strong samples to point through. Have you uploaded any of your short films? Are they available to watch online?
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What happened to the film you made? Go to the distrib that picked it up and pitch your next one there (that's usually how it's done).
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Thanks, Dan. I appreciate your time! Thank you so much, Erik. Yes, I have a short I wrote/directed online called The Holly King that won a few awards, a web series, and I have a screener of my first feature that won awards called Rockin' Reverend. They are all comedies. I will check out the film financiers pitch sessions! Thank you, William. The distributor that picked up my feature Rockin' Reverend is small and they don't invest but I will double check. Thank you, all! :)
That's great news, Scot. Proof of concept or ability in the form of a short has never been more accepted than it is today.