Kate is Head of Development for Cardiff-based Riot Time Pictures. Headed up by
Adam Knopf and Lee Haven Jones, Riot Time, are recent recipients of the BBC Small Indie Fund. Kate is helping them build up a slate of TV and Film projects from new and established talent.
Kate is also a freelance script editor and story consultant working across Film and TV with organisations including BBC Writers, Channel 4, BAFTA Albert, Screen Ireland, and BFI Network. She is a selected Changemaker 2024/25 on the TV Foundations year-long programme looking at Climate Change and how we can inspire change through storytelling. Previously, Kate worked as Head of Development for Leeds-based Indie Duck Soup Films. She headed up their diverse slate of TV and Film projects working with some of the most exciting talent in the UK. She developed projects for various broadcasters including BBC, BBC Films, Channel 4 and Film 4. Kate led on developing the BAFTA-nominated BBC1 Drama LOST BOYS & FAIRIES by Daf James.
Previously to this, Kate was the iFeatures Executive at Creative England. iFeatures was a UK-wide low-budget feature film development lab aimed at 1st & 2nd time feature filmmakers funded by Creative England, BFI Film Fund, BBC Films, and Creative Skillset. Kate took overall responsibility for the design and running of iFeatures, including managing the submission, development and production process. In addition to managing the initiative, she also contributed to the development of the projects, working alongside writers, directors, and producers. Kate helped shape the films that came out of the lab, including the award-winning APOSTASY, LADY MACBETH, GODS OWN COUNTRY, THE LEVELLING, MAKE UP, PERFECT TEN, BLUE JEAN, SCRAPPER, GIRL, and HERE BEFORE.
Kate has also worked across TV Drama projects for eOne as a Development Executive. This saw her working with writers and production companies developing original programmes for International broadcast. Kate started her career working in short films and worked for Lifesize Pictures, exec producing short films on new talent schemes such as Cinema Extreme and Digital Shorts for the UK Film Council. She worked with filmmakers from all across the UK, script editing shorts and managing national programmes such as the UK Film Council’s Directors Lab at EIFF.
Kate specializes in All Genres of Feature Film & TV Scripts
Tips on pitching to Kate O'Hara
Guidelines
Live Pitches
Within 15 minutes of your scheduled pitch, the exec will reach out by Zoom or Phone. Your pitch session will last approximately 8 minutes.
Written Pitches
Written Pitches will be no more than 2 pages submitted as a PDF or WORD document. Any written pitch uploaded past the deadline will not be shown to the executive and will result in a non-refundable forfeiture of your pitch.
Scorecards
Within 3-4 weeks of your pitch session, you will receive a Pitch Scorecard on which the exec you pitched will provide pitch feedback and note if they are PASSing, or would like to REQUEST your material.
If you are requested, you will be notified via email with further instructions. The execs will have 2-3 months to review your material and note if they are PASSing, or would like a MEETING. If a meeting is requested, we will introduce you via email.
Please understand that these are working executives, and their schedules are subject to change at a moment's notice. We always strive to give you at least 24 hours of notice if a session has been cancelled, and we will recommend another executive for you to pitch your material to.
Need help with your pitch?
Download the Stage 32 Pitching Guidebook
Questions or Concerns?
WriterHelp@Stage32.com
Whether you're preparing to find (or switch) representation, go out with a feature or TV script to production companies, studios, streamers, networks, investors or buyers, Stage 32 Pitch Sessions are a great first step to make sure you are on the right track.
Stage 32 has cultivated professional relationships with over 3,000 industry professionals including managers, agents, development executives, producers, investors and other executives and professionals across the industry who listen to pitches from the Stage 32 community. For these executives and pros, Stage 32 has become the place to discover new talent and material.
It’s simple. You simply pick the executive you’d like to pitch to. You can choose to pitch either via Zoom or through a written pitch.
Your executive will give you feedback on the pitch and ask and answer questions in real time. You will learn what works and doesn't work with your material and you can continue to hone your script and pitch as you prepare to go to market.
Then, within 3 weeks, you will receive a scorecard outlining various aspects of your pitch including Pitch Delivery/Format, Clarity of Pitch, Set Up of Protagonist(s) & World, Obstacles & Conflict, Clarity of Tone, Originality of Concept and Strength of Voice.
Further, you will receive an industry standard PASS or REQUEST for your project. If you receive a request for your script OR if the executive requests a meeting (or both!), we will facilitate the arrangement!
For over a decade, Stage 32 writers have secured tens of thousands of script requests and thousands of meetings with industry professionals as a result of pitching through Stage 32. These requests and meetings have led to thousands of success stories including writers securing representation, sales, paid options, produced films, open writing assignments, writers room jobs and much more. You can check out our success stories here!
In our Zoom or Phone pitches, you will pitch directly with the executive through Zoom or via telephone. Your pitch will be 8 minutes in total. It is up to you on how you want to use your time, but we recommend you spend 5-6 minutes to pitch your project, which will allow for 2-3 minutes of executive questions and feedback.
Written Pitches must be no longer than 2 pages submitted as a PDF or WORD document. Your written pitch should include the name of the script, logline, format (feature film or TV pilot) and genre. From there, you’ll want to lay out the main points of your story and character arcs to create and present a clear, concise narrative.
Both live and written pitch sessions follow industry standards and are designed to present your pitch to working executives. They will provide you with meaningful, actionable guidance to not only improve the work and the pitch, but to help you best position your work for the marketplace. So please come fully prepared.
Once you sign up for your pitch session you will be given educational resources to help you best prepare your pitch which include example pitch beat sheets for both feature film & TV verbal pitches, examples of both written and feature film written pitches, as well as an example video Zoom pitch.
This is a professional environment and you are pitching to seasoned executives. Decorum is important. Please adhere to the guidelines below.
You’ve worked so hard on your material, we couldn’t be more excited for you to present the work to your executive. We have no doubt that by following the guidelines above, you’re going to do fantastic!
Best wishes with your pitch.
And remember, if you ever have any questions from choosing an executive to which of our services may be right for you, never hesitate to reach out to the Success Team at success@stage32.com - We’re here to help…always!