I just received my first pitch feedback after a month. In her short paragraph, the expert said: " the budget on this would be astronomical, so I'm afraid I am going to have to pass at this time." A few months ago, I had a well known producer and his company do a budget analysis for implementing this script. The detailed spread sheet with 7% contingency and no rebates came to $369,985. So my question is:
Is $370K astronomical or do we take these expert's opinions "with a grain of salt"?
Hmm , the little quote from exec reads like a lazy polite pass. Was this a skype face to face or written pitch? Any notes on concept or story?
$370K Is low budget. Wont get anybody excited for theatrical market.
Thanks Dan. It was a written pitch. I felt the same way.
Thomas: Take it with a grain. One monkey don't make the show happen. A good rule of thumb is to use your spec script as a calling card to build some relationships. And, really examine who your pitching to when you pay good money for it. Do your research on what they've made and are looking for. Best of luck!
Like Dan M said that is what I would consider real low budget. The expert didn't read your screenplay or doesn't know what she is talking about.
thomas, what is "astronomical" ? did you write 20 space ships, blow up earth efxs, big world explosions? Did the exec say anything about story? If you wanna play the pitch game, rewrite pitch & remove any buzz words that suggests "astronomical".
S32 pitches are not worth the paper they are written on. I paid for two pitches and on both occasions received very few comments on my card except for the all too common "The budget is too big" pass. How could anyone know without costing out the script? Answer. They can't! My 1st "producer" Katie Politanoff had no IMDB credits except as an "assistant to Mr. Vaughn". It's a scam. Use S32 for networking. Go to the BlackList if you want serious coverage. Let's see how long this post lasts.....
Hi David/Dan: The pitch starts with the protagonist landed on shore of planet, the story basically takes place in two locations, a sugar plantation and in a couple of city buildings, clearly negotiable. I'm beginning to agree with David. For $30 you get seven check boxes and a short paragraph, but the real hope is for the possibility of further interest.
If a producer can't tell if a project is low budget or a high budget studio type of a project they don't know what they are doing.
David, you're so right. I've received three feedbacks on the same pitch. Out of the 21 boxes the experts checked (3 reviews x 7 categories), only two boxes were checked twice. Basically three different columns were checked. It's one thing to say everyone has a different opinion, but if you're looking for guidance or some standard for pitching this obviously isn't the place.
Basically, any PA on the set can tell if it's a big budget production or not.
David - I assume you're not a fan.