Filmmaking / Directing

Every week Stage32 sends a notice to my in-box to "Pitch to this TV or Movie exec for $19,95"

(with free shipping...haha)

Yes, for a modest fee, getting the opportunity to place your script or more in front of someone with the "connections" money and power to take your dream to screen is an amazing on...

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Every week Stage32 sends a notice to my in-box to "Pitch to this TV or Movie exec for $19,95"

(with free shipping...haha)

Yes, for a modest fee, getting the opportunity to place your script or more in front of someone with the "connections" money and power to take your dream to screen is an amazing once in a lifetime chance....again and again and again?

Where am I going with this?

I would GLADLY pay the going rate to get my project in front of someone that (if it's my stuff is worthy) could see the value in and get the production ball rolling. Or at least give it a fighting chance. (Maybe get a star attached?)

But now comes the question. WHO do you pick to bare it all to? And WHEN is the right time with THAT person?

You could choose someone TODAY who "normally" would be looking for a Sci-Fi and that YOURS would be PERFECT.

BUT, last night his wife served him divorce papers so he is in NO mood to pick the next Star Wars.

You could select the producer who "word on the Stage32 street" says she is RIGHT NOW looking for the next BIG Horror Tent Pole series.

But that morning (before YOUR call) she just received something good enough. (and not even as good as yours)

Had you ONLY pitched it to her YESTERDAY! she would have signed you to that contract in a heartbeat.

So, my question is..., no matter how much background we writers/producers/directors research the execs that Stage32 promotes for this or that...we have to question...how do we choose WHOM to pitch and WHEN to pitch and WHAT to pitch.

It's not just the money (well it is the money) But it is more that...

In the REAL world, so many things are based on LUCK and TIMING. In reality, Talent, or a great Script, or unending Determination is the SMALLEST part of the equation. The world is filled with the greatest Writers, Actors, Musicians, and the like, that the world has NEVER and may NEVER know of.

ALL because the clock mechanism and alignment of planets was off by 1 second the day OUR turn comes up.

So...

I do want to pitch my project(s).

But I may only get 1 chance in my whole life.

So WHO do I choose TODAY and WHY "This man or that woman"?

Jonathan Jordan will be having a 24-hour AMA in the Authoring & Playwriting Lounge tomorrow, focused on “What is a Ghostwriter?”

Jonathan is an award-winning screenwriter, book coach, ghostwriter, playwright, and Stage 32 Thought Leader. He’ll be answering questions like:

What types of content can...

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Jordan Black

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 hours ago

Hey Paul! There are a lot of pros & cons to each.

With this being an in-depth look at the various setups of shots from the trailer, I'd imagine it would be best to post this type of promo AFTER the ac...

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M LaVoie

2 days ago

Mark DePonte dismal assessments are par for the course. The real problem is that great assessments also go nowhere. Trust me. I've had them. The webinars can be helpful and the community is great. Jus...

Simon Foster

1 day ago

Definitely do some BG research on the person you want to pitch to. Sometimes the links to the credits stated are tenuous at best. Often if you check imdb or the associated company website for its staf...

Paul Rivers

4 hours ago

Simon Foster good reality check Post. In the Arts World there are only a few good patrons, brokers, and mentors. Good luck to rest of us.

Daniel Husbands

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
3 hours ago

Honestly, it's hard to know the perfect answer to a question like that. I would start with changing the assertion that you'll only get one shot. No one knows exactly how things will play out, but we k...

Dan MaxXx

3 hours ago

M LaVoie stage 32 mods delete my posts when I talk about money/lack of money going back to customers.

Sharon Garrison

2
2 people like this
- John Michael German
- Maurice Vaughan
6 hours ago

Interested in hearing your take on being a 1st AD to a relatively inexperienced director. What kind of tasks can the 1st AD take over without appearing to be stepping on director's toes?

This looks like a really good one for aspiring directors to take note of.

Maurice Vaughan

1
1 person likes this
- Kathryn Carmichael
8 hours ago

I finished watching "Shōgun" last night, Florin Şumălan! Phenomenal series! It's my second favorite mini-series of all time. I'm gonna check out these videos.

Rutger Oosterhoff

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
8 hours ago

Haha, Maurice, I also watched the last episode yesterday. Now everyone is waiting for all out war in season two.

7 hours ago

I hope there is a season two, Rutger Oosterhoff. There's enough story for it.

Kathryn Carmichael

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
6 hours ago

This has got to be one of the stand-out series of 2024, it is phenomenal. The acting, sets, costumes, cinematography, music...it visually one of the most beautiful stories I've watched in a while and...

Nadean Stone

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
5 hours ago

Watched entire season. A great show. Watched the original many years ago.

Michael Yurinko

2
2 people like this
- Eon C. Rambally
- Maurice Vaughan
24 hours ago

Studio heads should be filmmakers at heart.

E Langley

2
2 people like this
- Eon C. Rambally
- Maurice Vaughan
23 hours ago

Breaking News: Copolla on the cusp of signing a distribution deal with a French firm.

Eon C. Rambally

23 hours ago

Important topics I've been following for some time, great commentaries! Mario Leone, thanks for posting! In my best immediate comprehension, I'll focus on the remakes and reboots for now. If the indus...

Geoff Hall

2
2 people like this
- Eon C. Rambally
- Maurice Vaughan
9 hours ago

Mario Leone "People are afraid and are sticking to what works." I would amend that sentence, Mario, to 'People are afraid and are sticking to what WORKED.' They assume because it worked once, it will...

John Gostomski

2
2 people like this
- Eon C. Rambally
- Maurice Vaughan
7 hours ago

Seems they are using a business model to reintroduce a subject/genre to a new audience. The business model is safe, tested and repeatable but whether it sells to the market that is another question. W...