Screenwriting : If you send a written pitch instead of a face time pitch, is there no meeting and written notes are emailed? by Daniel Goudreau

There isn't a live meeting for a written pitch, Daniel Goudreau. Stage 32 will email you a link to view the professional's feedback.

Dan,

Go with the live meeting. I tried the mail in pitch because (probably thinking like you) the written pitch would be clearer and concise)

But..... The unseen problem is that no matter how perfect in structure, clarity your pitch seems, the exec may fail to comprehend or grasp some or even most of the critical elements and drama your story conveys.

He or she will miss large gaps in your story and treat that as a failure verses "seeing" the "ah-hah" moment in your pitch And because there is NO follow up after you get your review, their is NO way to figure out if the exec was just having a bad day and YOUR pitch just happen to be the one he was reading when his wife served him with divorce papers...OR maybe he just could not comprehend what you brilliantly wrote.

And the notes and feedback are not much help at that point.

All could be easily cleared up with just a 5-10 minute follow up call. But alas... Stage32 does not allow it.

Maybe Stage32 will fix this prblem.

(Hint hint)

Mark DePonte Thanks for the honesty Mark. It's amazing how trying to fit a whole film onto one page, it is impossible to convey it properly so that anyone "sees" the film. Evan a 16 - page treatment is pushing it to absurd levels of compact storytelling with no room for any nuance. I did get it all onto one page but the end result could never come alive in someone else reading so few words.

Hey Daniel Goudreau - I am a Writer Consultant with Stage 32. Great question. Everyone is different but I personally like the in-person pitches and consultations because this is a business of relationships. So if you're able to make that personal connection it can make a big difference. You also get the added benefit - especially with the Stage 32 consultation calls - of being able to riff on ideas and brainstorm creative and strategy in the moment with the professional. That can be so valuable - and it also makes the professional a participant in the process and more invested in the outcome. If you would like to discuss more, just hit me up at success@stage32.com and we'll discuss where you're at and your goals.

A written pitch can be two pages, Daniel Goudreau.

Maurice Vaughan Thanks for the reminder Maurice. I was so daunted at how to cram my entire epic film filled with emotional nuance down to a few short paragraphs and still retain its essence. I decided to go with one page and did it for my written pitch but there is no way on Earth, a stranger can read one page of compressed almost tagline paragraphs and see the film. I mean sure give a Todd Haynes "Madame Web" and you'll get a masterpiece (lovin' you Todd Haynes) but if the Pitchee was to see the one page pitch for Madame Web, wouldn't he/she throw up on it and try to be nice as he/she is forced to write the comments. Even Star Wars looks like a piece of crap as a one page and was actually turned down by everybody. As soon as you see "farmboy in space" there is no way you would want to read further. We know it works in real life but as a compressed pitch, doesn't everything sound like pure crap? I know my own film's power but even my one page makes me think it sounds like crap. How can someone else possibly not see it that way? Pitching a page is starting to feel like a parody of the business. Give me August: Osage County in 7 words or less. "Family members clash". Wow, I did it in 3 but do you see the film? No.

Jason Mirch Wow, I sense your contagious enthusiasm. Didn't you get the memo as an insider that you are supposed to be cynical? Maybe it came while you were away. Kidding. I really do appreciate your willingness to assist new writers and your exciting take on the possibilities within the industry. I wish I could work with someone like you to get a script in pitch perfect shape.

You're welcome, Daniel Goudreau. I know what you mean. I've tried to cram scripts into one-page pitches, and it's not easy. I've done a few written pitches on Stage 32 before. It's about time for another one. Let us know how your pitch goes.

M LaVoie Pure. Unadulterated. Truth. I love it.

For STAGE32 staff...

PLEASE take note...

I suggest the following HYBRID Pitch option for all of us writers with no Hollywood type connections. (99% of us)

Offer a 3-Stage pitch process.

Step 1:. Submit 2-page pitch.

Step 2: Receive Review

Step 3: Within 10 Days of received review, the exec schedules a 5-minute phone call for feedback Q&A.

At least we writers would get some insite to understand if the PITCH was inadequate. OR if the story/characters/plot is the actual problem.

At THAT point, we will know HOW to fix/move forward.

We MAY even be willing to spend more money on next level Stage32 services

The world's second oldest profession - slavery. The world's oldest profession - Hollywood Exec. When lawyers joke, it always goes something like this "How many Hollywood Execs does it take to ruin the motion picture industry? Answer: ALL OF THEM."

Total agreement, it would be better to do it face-to-face. I had written notes, and the notes were great, really great, I appreciated them very much. But there was something the reader missed that really is integral to the story twist -- I went back in and just needed to add one line of dialogue, and it cleared up easily 50% of the notes. If they don't get it, it's too subtle, I know, but it would be helpful to be able to confirm any questions or ask about any fixes that come to mind. Ideal notes would arrive as written first, with a Zoom (or Facetime) AFTER you have digested them.

Ok, next question: If you have a great ONE PAGE and decide to send written Pitch to more than one Professional at a time, is this frowned upon? Next question, if the Pitch date is 3 weeks out and you send a written pitch today, will Stage 32 send the written One Pager to them asap or will it sit and wait until that pitch day comes, even though being a written pitch, there is no meeting?

You're talking about Pitch Sessions here on Stage 32? Live pitches are for sure better in my opinion, especially if you can really nail down your concept in 5-6 mins and they get it, you'll have 4-5 mins to really dig in deeper with them about the opportunity. If it's a great idea and you do connect, for sure it tops the written pitch. It's about relationships as much as the written page. At some point if success comes you're gonna need to think on your feet sitting in a room with a bunch of execs asking you about all your ideas for different projects... just practice your pitches and have them down. If you have a passion for this game and have some talent you'll eventually get in the room... you can't hide behind the keyboard forever.