Stage 32 5-Part Pitching Lab: How to Master Your 5 Minute Pitch

Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details
Taught by Will McCance

$499
Lab Schedule (5 sessions):
Tuesday, Dec 5TH 3 - 5PM PST
Thursday, Dec 7TH 3 - 5PM PST
Tuesday, Dec 12TH 3 - 5PM PST
Thursday, Dec 14TH 3 - 5PM PST
Tuesday, Dec 19TH 3 - 5PM PST
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Who Should Attend:

All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to create a 5-minute pitch for their film or television project. 

All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the fundamentals of what make a successful 5-minute pitch to gain the attention of key decision makers in the industry.

All levels of filmmakers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to create a 5-minute pitch to sell their film or television series.

All levels of producers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to create a 5-minute pitch for their film or television project.

Stage 32 Next Level Education has a 97% user satisfaction rate.

Class hosted by: Will McCance

Senior Vice President at Billion-Dollar Producer Ian Bryce Productions

Will McCance is the Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's AMBULANCE for Universal Studios and SIX UNDERGROUND for Netflix. At Ian Bryce Productions, Will oversees the company's entire development slate. Before working with Ian Bryce, Will worked in development at Original Film's TV department, working on hit shows such as THE BOYS (Amazon) and PREACHER (AMC), as well as on SWAT (CBS) and HAPPY! (Syfy). Independently, Will has produced films such as the upcoming LOLA JAMES, starring Nicola Peltz and Oscar-Nominee Virginia Madsen, BERNARD AND HUEY, starring Jim Rash, David Koechner, and Mae Whitman, as well as Belarus's 2018 Oscar selection for Best Foreign Film, CRYSTAL SWAN, along with Vice. Through his years working as an executive, Will has garnered deep experience working with writers and choosing to work with them or not based on their pitch, and is excited to share what he’s learned with the Stage 32 community. Full Bio »

Summary

Create your professional 5-minute pitch working one-on-one on with the Vice President of the company behind FINDING 'OHANA (Netflix), SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT, ALMOST FAMOUS, THE BOYS (Amazon), PREACHER (AMC), and more!

***Flexible Learning: if you cannot attend any of the sessions live don't worry - you will be sent the links to the recordings of each session within 48 hours of the live session and you will have direct access to Will on email to ask him any questions about your craft,, career or project so you can keep up at your own pace and schedule.***

Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details

 

Just because you’re a great writer doesn’t mean you’re also great at pitching. But like any skill, it’s something that you can learn.

You may be missing out on opportunities right now because you struggle to get decision makers excited about your story. But this can be remedied. Especially with the right one-on-one support and mentorship. And that's where Stage 32 steps in with this exclusive hands-on 5-part lab that will teach you how to pitch just as well as you can write.

Will McCance is the Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's AMBULANCE and FINDING 'OHANA for Netflix. At Ian Bryce Productions, Will oversees the company's entire development slate. Before working with Ian Bryce, Will worked in development at Original Film's TV department, working on hit shows such as THE BOYS (Amazon) and PREACHER (AMC), as well as on SWAT (CBS) and HAPPY (Syfy). Through his years working as an executive, Will has garnered deep experience working with writers and knows how to choose which writers to work with or not based on their pitch. Will knows exactly what needs to go into a successful pitch and will help you prepare your pitch to get investors, executives, and producers excited about your project!

In this exclusive Stage 32 5-week lab, you will be guided through the fundamentals of pitching, including how to distill your script into your pitch, and how to ultimately deliver it with aplomb. You will work one-on-one with Will to understand the intricacies and art of your pitch and to improve the quality of your work to garner the interest of key decision makers in the industry. After 5 interactive sessions, you walk away from this lab with your own polished 5-minute pitch for your specific project that you've developed under Will's direct guidance and expertise. 

Whether you’re working on a feature, a series, and no matter the genre, Will is here to help you finesse your pitch so you can get your project sold!


Praise For Will's Previous Stage 32 Teaching
 
"I would not have been able to advance in my writing career without Will McCance and the pitching lab. I highly recommend Will as an instructor and the pitching lab itself for Stage 32 writers. Thank you." -- Sean M.
 
"Will's credentials speak for themself. He is an incredibly knowledgable executive with the passion to help writers get their projects moving forward. Thank you for all your help on my pitching for my feature!" -- Morgan M.
 
"Will has been hands down the best teacher for pitching I've ever had!" -- Chase R.

 

What You'll Learn

WEEK 1 – Storyselling & The Foundation of Pitching

In this week’s session, we will introduce the various forms of pitching, including the elevator pitch, the 5-minute concept pitch, and the full feature/TV pitch. The goal of this session will be to create a foundation for pitching that the next sessions will build on.

KEY TOPIC: Storyselling -- What It Is and Why We Need It

  • Who sells ideas and who is buying them?
  • What ideas sell and what ideas don’t?
  • When is the best time to pitch?
  • Where do storyselling opportunities present themselves?
  • Why is it important to learn how to sell your story?
  • Q&A with Will

Assignment will be given.

Have questions in between classes? Will is available on email to help you work though elements of your own pitch.

 

WEEK 2 – The Concept Pitch: 5 Minutes of Focus

In the second session, we will break down the 5-minute concept pitch, the main focus of this lab. Students will learn the basic boxes to check when constructing their own concept pitches, while gaining a better understanding of how to construct the perfect logline.

KEY TOPIC: The 5-Minute Pitch

  • How this kind of pitch can be useful and why
  • Pitfalls of the 5-minute pitch
  • Anatomy of 5-minute sale
  • 5-minute pitch example
  • Learning to read a room
  • Q&A with Will

Assignment will be given.

Have questions in between classes? Will is available on email to help you work though elements of your own pitch.

 

WEEK 3 – Distilling a Script Into a Pitch

Students will learn how to break down a pre-existing script into a concept pitch.

KEY TOPIC: The Devil in the Details

  • Tips for finding the broad strokes
  • What to pull from a script and why
  • Strategies for sending someone your script after a concept pitch
  • Breaking down a feature script versus pilot/series
  • Q&A with Will

Assignment will be given.

Have questions in between classes? Will is available on email to help you work though elements of your own pitch.

 

WEEK 4 – No class: One-on-One Consultations

You will get to meet with Will McCance one-on-one to practice your 5-minute concept pitch, followed by Will's discussion and feedback.

 

WEEK 5 – Live Concept Pitch Workshop

In this final week, you will workshop your 5-minute concept pitch with the class and give and receive feedback for each other's pitch.

 


WHAT TO EXPECT

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

  • This lab is designed for beginner and intermediate level writers interested in improving a 5-minute pitch their project.

  • By the end of this 5-week lab, you will have a professional 5-minute pitch for your project vetted by a professional in the industry.

  • This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.

  • You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.

  • Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.

  • **Will will be available on email during the 5 sessions to answer any questions you have about your project.**

Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information

About Your Instructor

Will McCance is the Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's AMBULANCE for Universal Studios and SIX UNDERGROUND for Netflix. At Ian Bryce Productions, Will oversees the company's entire development slate. Before working with Ian Bryce, Will worked in development at Original Film's TV department, working on hit shows such as THE BOYS (Amazon) and PREACHER (AMC), as well as on SWAT (CBS) and HAPPY! (Syfy). Independently, Will has produced films such as the upcoming LOLA JAMES, starring Nicola Peltz and Oscar-Nominee Virginia Madsen, BERNARD AND HUEY, starring Jim Rash, David Koechner, and Mae Whitman, as well as Belarus's 2018 Oscar selection for Best Foreign Film, CRYSTAL SWAN, along with Vice. Through his years working as an executive, Will has garnered deep experience working with writers and choosing to work with them or not based on their pitch, and is excited to share what he’s learned with the Stage 32 community.

Schedule

Tuesday December 5th 3pm-5pm PT

Thursday December 7th 3pm-5pm PT

Tuesday December 12th 3pm-5pm PT

Thursday December 14th 3pm-5pm PT

Tuesday December 19th 3pm-5pm PT

FAQs

Q: What is the format of a lab?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Labs are typically 90-minute broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32.

Q: Do I have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer! If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live class. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer

Q: What if I cannot attend the live lab class?
A: If you attend a live online class, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class. If you cannot attend a live class, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A. Plus, your instructor will be available via email throughout the lab.

Q: Will I have access to the lab afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of the lab, you will have on-demand access to the video recording, which you can view as many times as you'd like!

 

Questions?

If you have a generic question about Stage 32 education you can take a look at our frequently asked questions section on our help page, or feel free to contact support with any other inquiries you might have.

Other education that may be of interest to you:

Learn How to Better Pitch Your Ideas: Go from Storyteller to Storyseller

Learn how to pitch your work so you can build a profitable career in film and television with the Vice President of the company behind Finding Ohana (Netflix), Saving Private Ryan, Transformers: The Last Knight, Almost Famous, The Boys (Amazon), Preacher (AMC), and more!   Do you ever feel like your great ideas go unnoticed by producers, directors, agents, and managers alike, and that you don’t get the shot you're looking for as a result? This isn’t because these decision makers don’t care; it’s because you may not have pitched or sold your ideas the right way. The reality is, successful screenwriters are as much storysellers as they are storytellers. Whether you like it or not, your primary goal as a writer must be to stand out in a sea of competing projects.  The bottom line: Whether you're a screenwriter, filmmaker, producer, or any creative or industry professional looking to gain representation, sell their material, attract talent, raise financing, or simply looking to find work, you will have to pitch. Further, you will be in competition with others pitching as well. You've put so much time and effort into your work and building your reputation, you don't want to have it all undermined with a terrible pitch. And the truth of the matter is that most people that pitch make the same fatal mistakes over and over. They don't know how to tell a concise, riveting story. They don't know what to put in, what to leave out, and what elements really and truly sell someone on their story. This webinar will give you insight and tools to pitch better and get ahead of the pack.  Will McCance is the Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's SIX UNDERGROUND for Netflix. At Ian Bryce Productions, Will oversees the company's entire development slate. Before working with Ian Bryce, Will worked in development at Original Film's TV department, working on hit shows such as THE BOYS (Amazon) and PREACHER (AMC), as well as on SWAT (CBS) and HAPPY! (Syfy). Independently, Will has produced films such as the upcoming LOLA JAMES, starring Nicola Peltz and Oscar-Nominee Virginia Madsen, BERNARD AND HUEY, starring Jim Rash, David Koechner, and Mae Whitman, as well as Belarus's 2018 Oscar selection for Best Foreign Film, CRYSTAL SWAN, along with Vice. Through his years working as an executive, Will has deep experience with working with writers and choosing to work with them or not based on their pitch, and is prepared to share what he’s learned with the Stage 32 community. In this exclusive on-demand Stage 32 webinar, Will will equip you with all the tools you'll need to elevate your next script to the top of the reading stack. He will discuss the various techniques of pitching, from finding the right words and unique style, to understanding which type of pitch to use and when. He will also analyze sample TV and feature film pitches and break down the hidden power of the perfectly-worded logline. He will teach you tactics, strategies, and even books that will make you a stronger storyseller, and in turn, a stronger storyteller. Will will even deliver a pitch of his own to use as an example and will share other film and TV pitches to analyze what works and what doesn’t.    Through Will’s presentation, you will not only learn how to better understand and explain your story, but to also instill a newfound sense of confidence that you can take with you to your next meeting or pitch session. PRAISE FROM WILL'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 TEACHING:   "I would not have been able to advance in my writing career without Will McCance and the pitching lab. I highly recommend Will as an instructor and the pitching lab itself for Stage 32 writers. Thank you." -- Sean M.   "Will's credentials speak for themself. He is an incredibly knowledgable executive with the passion to help writers get their projects moving forward. Thank you for all your help on my pitching for my feature!" -- Morgan M.   "Will has been hands down the best teacher for pitching I've ever had!" -- Chase R.

Breaking Down the Pilot Script: Emmy-Winner Succession

  This script breakdown has a 100% satisfaction rating!   The hit HBO show SUCCESSION has shattered Emmy history with a record-breaking 27 nominations for the 2023 Emmy Awards alone! Add that to the 13 Primetime Emmy Awards they've already won, as well as the dozens more nominations over its 4 seasons, it is safe to say that SUCCESSION is one of the greatest shows of all time. As a creative, it's important for you to understand WHY it's so successful. In an exclusive Stage 32 Script Breakdown Webcast the Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, Will McCance, will break down the first episode of the Emmy award-winning series SUCCESSION using excerpts from the pilot episode. Will McCance is currently Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's SIX UNDERGROUND and FINDING 'OHANA for Netflix. Will has worked on hit television shows including THE BOYS and I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER for Amazon, PREACHER for AMC SWAT for CBS and MAX TILT for HBO Max. During this FREE Stage 32 Next Level Webcast Will will take you through the SUCCESSION pilot as he examines the main story engine introduction and themes, how character arc intros and drama is teed-up for the season, managing the script's pacing in an ensemble cast and exploring it's tonal elements, and much more!   Plus, everyone who registers for the webinar will receive a copy of the pilot script of SUCCESSION to study after the webinar is over!

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