Success Stories: SEP'16 REQUEST vs. REJECT

REQUEST vs. REJECT

Are we writers? Yes. Are we salesman? No. Do we have to be both in order to get our films made? Unfortunately, yes. I'd like to think I'm great at both. Out of 14 interviews, I've had 9 requests for my materials (more than 9 if you count multiple requests for several projects in one pitch). This weekend, I had 3 interviews, and only one request (or two because he asked for two scripts). My first interviewer was humorless and did not react to anything I had to say. My second interviewer asked way too many questions (she technically asked for spoilers, which would ruin the enjoyment of reading a script, and ultimately passed). My third interviewer understood EXACTLY what I was pitching and realized the commercial potential of my projects. Was my third pitch different from my first two? Absolutely not. I didn't change a word. My enthusiasm was the same. The lesson is.... people are going to "get" your story or not. Every movie studio passed on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles until one said yes. Every TV network passed on Mad Men until one said yes. Every book publishing company passed on Dune (the highest selling sci-fi novel of all time) until one said yes. So remember, if almost EVERYONE thinks your concept or script isn't good enough or sell-able.... there's a high probability that they're wrong. Keep going.