Screenwriting : Pitch Deck, Series Bible... Is there a difference? by Dustin Quinteros

My 2cents:

pitch deck is a brief summary with pics and comps to "sell/solicit" the idea to a potential buyer (producer).

A series bible is done when there is a buyer (network) paying for the pilot eps/series.

Everything's gone to crazy town with this lately.

They are technically very different documents;

A pitch deck is typically more investment related with concept, attachments, budget, market analysis, and profit predictions.

A show bible is more creatively orientated, used for episodic content, and focuses mainly on the concept, universe, and long-term story potential.

The former tends to be presented to financiers and the latter to executives. Both used to be little more than basic text documents that were presented in person but they've gotten a lot more glossy lately.

However, like I say, everything has gone to crazy town so I'm sure there's hybrids out there now. Pitching itself has become an industry. Most pitch decks I've seen are insane.

Sometimes these are accompanied by a "look book" which is a collection of images used to explain the story and put across the feel of the project. A pitch deck may include a top sheet and/or a full budget breakdown with payment schedule. Either may also include coverage, endorsements, etc from the likes of sales agents.

Good insights Dan MaxXx and CJ Walley. I thought a series bible was only done if you were getting paid to do the series.

I think of the pitch deck as a visual and text presentation to provide an overview of a feature script to potential industry partners who are visual thinkers (as opposed to reading a treatment). I think of a series bible as a working document for a TV project that is already in production, could also be proposed but I envision it as way more detailed, say 50-100 pages or more, collaborative, where the pitch deck could be 10-25 slides or a bit more, and can be a solo project.

https://www.networkisa.org/events/individual/view/whyyouneedapitchdeck

A Show Bible can be either a pitching document or a working document the same as a short treatment/synopsis and a full treatment may be used to pitch and/or develop a feature.

The language and definitions are out of control though. What someone is referencing in a screenwriting community may be very different to how a working industry member knows it. Just look how coverage and feedback has become interchangeable now.

I know of experienced producers/directors/execs going into webinars, taking questions, and being baffled by the terminology people are using and how they are applying it.

Forget "decks" "lookbooks" "bibles" and all the other fal-de-ral.

I call them this:

"Give Me Money"

"Write Me Scripts"

:)

I don't do treatments, they're a waste of time (to John Ellis's point), I've got a script, why would you possibly need a treatment. Same with "Visual, Pitch Decks" . I only asked because for the first-time during a (feature) pitch the exec asked about concept art, pitch deck, as a well to provide a visual for the world, and my thoughts are, "it's in the script". I write in a way (at least I hope) where the script stands on its own. To CJ Walley's point, I agree 100%, as far a pitch deck for marketing, once you have potential casting, done some pre-production leg work, and begin looking for financing, but that's not the impression I got from this exec in terms of what he was looking for. As far as Bible's I think they're 100% necessary for a series. I'm not writing all 10 + episodes. I'm just writing the pilot, so the Bible is the "script" for future episodes and future seasons and selling the overall series concept.

Dustin I have to ask where did you find that exec or did they find you?

I'm hearing more and more about producers expecting pitch decks from writers for their specs. It's a huge red flag. It's literally part of their job to earn their keep by doing that. It smacks of either laziness or complete naivety.

It's getting bizarre. As I've mentioned before, I had a director-producer approach me once with no money to rewrite his script because he'd taken a bath for over £10K in pitching sessions, consultation, and materials. Pitch deck looked like it came straight out of a big studio. Script read like it came out of Craigslist. There was no solid foundation for a movie. Just gloss and made up projections.

Some big players are making it clear they think pitch decks are dead already and have better alternatives. Look at ScriptHop and their board of advisors. Then look at how much more sense their approach makes.

I seriously don't know why some screenwriters are creating pitch decks. I have created 3 because I am one of the co-producers. They are basically mini business plans. As screenwriter I wouldn't waste my time and if a producer asked me for one wonder how many days or weeks if any they've been in the business.

Great question and very helpful responses. Thanks.

Dan Guardino, during a Stage 32 pitch session.

My honest thought is that if a pitch deck helps an executive better understand my vision then I'm doing one. I write sci-fi, fantasy and horror so I can see where it can help. If I recall the Netfilx seminar that is on this platform (for free) spoke of Netflix buying shows based on the pitch deck. I have a friend who sold a series based on his pitch deck. Then there are different pitch decks. There are pitch decks for investors and there are pitch decks that show your vision.

@Martin, so, as the saying goes ... it depends. And perhaps it should. No two exec's are asking for the same Pitch Deck, let alone for the same reasons as another. Know your audience.

Sounds like a good argument for a strong, well thought out and written logline. If your moment with exec is brief, let them get the whole idea in one screenshot.

Dustin. That figures. I'm glad I don't have to pay money to pitch any of them.

We're in the business of words, so use those. Write a great logline, short synopsis, long synopsis, character descriptions, personal bio, audience hook, business case, commercial prospects etc and hit people with what they need, when they need it. The break-in side is more competitive than ever and you have to find an edge. Nothing needs to be glossy, money doesn't have to be spent.

I wish they had a place to put Pitch Decks here. I don’t pay for any of the other stuff they offer here but I would actually pay for that. Is there a website where people can post their pitch decks?

You can post pitch decks on Script Revolution, Dan Guardino.

Maurice. Thank you for letting me know.

Maurice. I tried to rejoin but I get a message that says "The username Dan Guardino has not been activated or is blocked" so I guess that isn't going to work but thanks anyway.

You're welcome, Dan Guardino.

Chris Mack, Director, Creative Talent Investment & Development for Netflix International Originals at Netflix... In his latest pitch workshop he went on to say the difference between the two was simply that the series bible had episode summaries and the pitch deck did not. The rest of the content in each was the same.

Seems you closed your account, Dan. I can reactivate if you want and you can upload your pitch decks.

CJ. That would be great. Thank you.

Account reactivated, my dude.

Yes. They are different in terms of some of their contents. A series bible includes short summaries of upcoming episodes and ideas for future seasons. For movie lookbooks (not known as "bibles"), you want to contain pages on Logline, Plot Summary and/or Synopsis, Character descriptions (just the main 2-4 of them), Comps, Tone/Theme and definitely images and graphics throughout to convey the feel of the show or movie. I've done two of my own lookbooks for films and one for a TV show. All of them are in producers' hands now either being shopped or going into pre-production. If you'd like tips on your decks, I'd be happy to give you a few pointers.

CJ. Thanks!!!