Hello hello, Stage 32 Creatives!!
Recently, I tossed my loungewear for business attire, put on a splash of makeup, and curled my hair for a day of pitching. I understand the game, or industry I should say. I like to pitch with the idea of doing your best, be prepared, if they love it they'll make a bold move. If nothing comes of it have a glass of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, grab the feedback and get back to work!
For me, feedback is like a golden nugget. However, I've never been so stumped after a pitch!! Sitting tall and finishing that last statement, I was super enthused by the giant smile. I had nailed that four minutes, hitting all of my bullet points. (I love to pitch, by the way) She loved everything, the characters funny as hell, concept, story, etc.
Here's where it gets grey. "You pitched it like a drama." What the hell does that mean? Was I supposed to fall out of my chair laughing? That could come across as unprofessional and I'd look like a goober. Was I supposed to do a cartwheel? When I'm passionate about something, I'm serious. It's game time!! I never want to waste time or disrespect an exec or buyer. If you've made the exec laugh at the levity in your show, what more can you do for them to understand that it is a comedy? I'm not a comedian. I just write comedy. Totally stumped!
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I get the feeling when people who are being pitched tune out to the possibility of getting the material, they do an uppity critique of your pitch method as a substitute for having any opinion or questions on the actual material.
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I agree. It makes me feel like they're judging me as a person. I get it, you're selling yourself. But I think the big-ticket item is the product. I pitch my shows like my businesses, straightforward, enthusiastic, colorful, and understanding my audience. If this is how pitches are going to go, I don't have clue. lol
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I've only pitched once, but the feedback had not one word about the content, only like the technical aspect of the pitch, like they think their role is to teach you how to pitch. :-)
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Rashika R So first, where were you pitching and why? To a real buyer? Or to someone assessing your "pitch"? And with what goal in mind? Because to me the validity of any criticism and what you were "supposed" to do really depends on that.
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I was pitching an amazing exec/buyer vetted by well-established Stage 32 team. I don't worry so much about the who as I do the why (in this case). I always understand my buyer. I only pitch to those looking for the product I'm selling. My issue is when I'm looking for feedback, It's a little frustrating when it has little to nothing to do with what I'm selling. I'm open to resolving issues and making edits. It's a bit challenging when the feedback is so narrow.
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I am as funny as (think of something unfunny). But my brother has made a living in comedy for 40 years and has had a network TV show. He say “all comedy is based in drama”. You start with drama and look at it differently.
For example. He has survived throat cancer twice. He often say “when people ask what’s eating you, I have an answer”.
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Craig D Griffiths I like that. It would have been nice if the exec viewed the comedy in that sense. I think the next time I pitch the show I'll try to change my tone.
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The most important thing to remember “there is always a next time”.
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Hi Rashika R
You are selling both your material and yourself as a writer.
Without knowing the material you pitched or the way you pitched, I can only assume what the exe meant - since you pitched a comedy, their expectation was that you were going to make them laugh. Saying you pitched as a drama is subtext for 'I didn't find this funny''.
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Excellent post! There's a lot of interesting viewpoints here!
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Hi Eoin. You're right, an entrepreneur/writer you are selling yourself. And yep she laughed at the levity in the show and also stated how funny it was and how hilarious each character's unique personalities were. I'm all about business, so I understand my tone is a bit straightforward, no BS. I've since pitched it again, and it's on the move!!
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Thanks everyone for your comments and insight. Feedback is one's opinion, not the end all be all. Always keep moving forward! Can't wait to share the good news about the pilot. Only up from here!! Have a blessed weekend creatives!