How Do I Pitch my Project to Netflix or Amazon? Stage 32 CEO Richard Botto Answers

How Do I Pitch my Project to Netflix or Amazon? Stage 32 CEO Richard Botto Answers

How Do I Pitch my Project to Netflix or Amazon? Stage 32 CEO Richard Botto Answers

Taylor C. Baker
Taylor C. Baker
5 years ago

With each passing year, original streaming content becomes more and more popular. As filmmakers, we are all secretly (or not so secretly) vying for a coveted slot on the golden geese of streaming: Netflix and Amazon. So, how do you pitch your project to Netflix or Amazon?

Stage 32 founder and CEO, Richard Botto, answers this question thoroughly and frankly in his free webinar, "Ask Me Anything".

The head of Netflix television programming reportedly hears roughly 60 pitches a week. Before you call in all your favors and trip over yourself to procure one of these unicorn pitch meetings - you need to ask yourself a few questions:

  1. Why you? Why this project?
  2. Why do audiences need this project now?
  3. What value are you bringing?

Set yourself up for success by answering these questions honestly.

Click the link below to hear the rest of what he has to say on the best way to pitch your project to Amazon or Netflix.

Click Here for RB's Advice!

YouTube Video

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About the Author

Taylor C. Baker

Taylor C. Baker

Actor, Screenwriter, Content Creator, Producer

On-screen, you can find me on the award-winning digital series "Female Friendly", which I had the pleasure of co-creating and writing as well. Additionally, my dimples graced the tv-sphere on "Lucifer", where I played a southern roller derby queen opposite of the devil himself on Fox/Netflix. My n...

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10 Comments on Taylor C.'s Article

James Karl Fischer
Director of Development, Producer, Creative Executive, Director of Photography, Cinematographer, Author
Really good advice. We were lucky to distribute our first documentary through Distribber a few years ago, and it circulated well, but it is very different pitching a project. It really is that teams that accomplish production, and long engaged crowds that make it successful. Thanks for this!
5 years ago
Hulon E. Crayton II
Camera Operator, Cinematographer, Director, Director of Photography, Editor, Music Composer, Music Supervisor, Photographer (Still), Post-Production Supervisor, Producer, Sound Editor, Sound Mixer, Creative Executive, Music Editor, Financier, Marketing/PR
Very insightful. Thanks for sharing.
5 years ago
Vital Butinar
Director, Director of Photography, Editor, Filmmaker, Photographer (Still), Screenwriter, Colorist
Really interesting and thank you Richard "RB" Botto. In other words even if you have something good on your hands in doesn't matter if you don't know the right people. On the other hand it makes me wonder when someone who needs to network and find contacts has to divote so much time to it how they may do any creative work.
5 years ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Appreciate you both, Ole-André Rønneberg & Vital Butinar - Thanks for brightening my day.
5 years ago
Vital Butinar
Director, Director of Photography, Editor, Filmmaker, Photographer (Still), Screenwriter, Colorist
I agree with Ole-André Rønneberg. It's a really great platform and thank your Richard "RB" Botto for making it possible for us to connect with each other.
5 years ago
Ole-André Ronneberg
Director, Screenwriter, Producer
Thanks for your insight in the industry, RB. In a book, "The Hollywood commandment"  by mr. DeVon Franklin, he says that there is not an elevator to success. You have to walk the stairs. And this just proves what he says, You have to take your career step by step, until you have proven to be worthy the trust from the Major companies.  I'll guess I am a kind of simple, but every time I live at hotel, I'll walk the stairs. Just to remind myself about there is no elevator to success. There is no short cut into the room.
5 years ago
Maria Johnsen
Filmmaker, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Songwriter
Great advice! It's getting harder for new generation to get the foot in the door. 
5 years ago
Maria Johnsen
Filmmaker, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Songwriter
It's all about knowing someone who knows someone in show biz. There are a lot of crappy programs on TV. in Europe and North America.  If programmers and the head of TV networks want to boost sales and attract not only domestic but global audience, they must put a proper system in place. Of course they have to read 100 scripts a week. That's not our problem. They lack having a proper system and the right human resources. They make a lot of  money, why don't they hire more script readers? Netflix started with a noble mission, but now it turned put to broadcast rehashed junk!  Aren't they getting tired of approving the same crap over and over again? I mean look at Oscars 2020, it's all about connection, bribing Oscars jury and pitching to Oscars influencers and decision makers.  How would they expect us to send them unique and exciting scripts in various genres when they keep the doors shut on us?! It's always been crisis in movie industry since 1920s and major player distributors aka (the 6 big)  still haven' t learned their lessons! But you know what? It's not gonna stay this way forever. Things are changing! This time for real! 
5 years ago
Maxwell Highsmith
Actor, Creative Executive, Director
Thank you! I watched to make sure that I wasn't crazy. I had head these questions in one of my writing sessions. I thought I was crazy. Glad to know that I wasn't. BTW-I have an answer for these questions BUT I'm not gonna Pitch yet. "...When All Is Ready, I Throw This (Pitch )..." fave line from on of my my favorite songs "Paid In Full" #EricBAndRakim4Eva
5 years ago
Tasha Lewis
Actor, Author, Choreographer, Dancer, Director, Editor, Filmmaker, Marketing/PR, Narrator, Producer, Researcher, Screenwriter, Student, Translator, Voice Actor
As always RB, you are in our heads leading us in the direction we need to go.  I took a class on Binge Worthy Scripts and Programming.  This article and video is the perfect complement.  I will review it after I reviewing my notes from the class to make sure that I absorb all of the critical points of incorporating the tips into my writing.  Thank you again!
5 years ago
Trisha Trisha
Screenwriter
I have a bunch of great screenplays already written, and then I'm going to market myself to the industry. I know they will like the way I write. If not, they may either buy one of my screenplays ( or let someone rewrite them) or they like my style so much they might have me to rewrite a script. I'm very appreciative. I suck at pitching. I'd much rather write than pitch. So I write spec scripts and that's my pitch. By doing that I'm so clear about the story that I can see it onscreen-and as a result, I can believe in myself.                     Trisha
5 years ago
David Rothmiller
Director, Screenwriter, Videographer
Thanks!
5 years ago
Diana Black
Actor, Screenwriter
Thanks RB...
5 years ago
Tom Stohlgren
Author, Researcher, Screenwriter
Good advice can be a bitter pill, but it always makes me stronger and more committed to my craft. Thanks for the straight-talk, RB!
5 years ago
Harri-Pekka Virkki
Author, Stunt Performer
So! You have to be realistic, understand the others (Netflix/Amazon) point of view and have professional contacts who support your script. And of course - great script Thanks!
5 years ago
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