Screenwriting : Do i need a screenplay before pitching? by Vasco Saraiva

Thanks Laura.

u don't need a script if you have a track record, box office data, emmys, Oscars, Obie, Tony, NBA rings, medal of honor soldier award... some evidence you are the best or an expert.

nobody is asking Lebron James for a script. he goes to ABC network, pitches an idea and bosses give him money to write a script.

So be the Lebron James of your field and you don't need scripts to pitch.

To consolidate what others above are saying, if you are not already working in Hollywood with connections to people who take idea pitches, then yes you need to have a completed, ready to "move forward" script. Studios/prodcos and financiers aren't interested in buying "ideas" (unless it's a published book, etc.) to develop unless you're a Christopher Nolan/JJ Abrams type.

There you go Vasco Saraiva become a SEAL and go on a mission where you get ambushed.

Laura. I don't mean to be critical but you missed one 9.

As a feature extra on LONGMIRE in New Mexico, I pitched a logline to directors and producers. A year and a half and many rewrites later, I'm finishing the script, and we're still in contact. Keep u posted.

I would say you need one unless you know the person you are pitching to pretty well because your idea will not be protected.

Thank you all for the comments. I guess it comes down to "not interested in buying ideas" situation. I forgot to say I would have treatments and detailed outlines for the projects I would be pitching.

If ideas were worth $$$ we'd all be rolling in it. You can't sell ideas. Unless you're Chris Nolan or equivalent.

Again thank you all. I wasn't expecting to sell a treatment. But rather if I could get a producer/ financier attention with the pitch so later on I could show (not sell) the finished script. If they'de showed interest in the pitch.

Definitely YEAH and you need to know that screenplay inside out. Good luck, Stage has a great pitch service, a bit too short , but the more you do these pitches the better you'll get at it, My experience.

Great thread!

Many people have covered this already, but as most have pointed out, it's not a rule you need one, but unless the circumstances are special, you should have the script before you pitch.

Hi Vasco,

Yes and no. It's great to have a script sure. That shows that you are ready to show something you already have. Also if it gets picked up that will also be discussed if you are selling the IP itself or if you want to be apart of the project to work on it in a writers room. Because it is your project you will have that power to make that choice as well. But having no script is also not a problem. If you know your story and pitch it well then it's sold and you'll be brought on regardless.

I did a pitch not too long ago for a TV series, I had no scripts ready. But what I did have ready was a lookbook discussing the main plots and archs, the characters and why they are important, why the storyworld is interesting and also I brought in some real world relevance. Explain why you personally connect to it as well. Everyone has their own process of doing things. But just practice your pitch and get to the point. Be ready to answer questions in an instant as well.

Good luck

Vasoc you are on La La land nobody would buy squat from a never been writer.

Do the work man ! Otherwise move on

In

I would recommend it. I threw out a Log Line on a web site for a yet to be written screenplay and got an email of interest from a Producer. I had to rush the screenplay and I botched the whole thing. The screenplay is now a viable project that still needs some work!

DO NOT PITCH ANYTHING YOU HAVEN'T WRITTEN. PERIOD. FULL STOP. YOU WILL NOT SELL A PITCH. NO ONE IS BUYING PITCHES FROM AN UNKNOWN BEGINNER WRITER. AND IF YOU HAVEN'T WRITTEN IT, YOU'RE NOT PROTECTED. PERIOD.

FOR THOSE IN THE CHEAP SEATS....STOP PITCHING THINGS YOU HAVEN'T WRITTEN! STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT.

Danny Manus, Yes -

Vasco Saraiva, I'm confused!! How can you sell something you don't have? How can you pitch a story you haven't written?

This week, after pitching to a producer I was invited to send my script, which I did immediately together with the Release form. If you have written your script it can't be registered for protection. If you haven't written it, there's nothing to protect. I can't see making up Loglines will get you very far.

Vasco, I'd not only never pitch a project without a completed screenplay to go with it...I'd also never pitch that project unless the corresponding script was registered with at least the Writers Guild of America, West (if not America's Library of Congress). Anything to prove that I actually wrote the script.

All the VERY BEST to you, Vasco!

Kay Luke Absolutely. Though when it comes to Sorkin, I bet there's always a long conversation! :P

Thanks Kay Luke. It does make sense. Guess I'l focus exclusively scripts before any other kind of pitch. Happy Halloween.

Jim Boston, yeah the legal aspect/ protection of it is another factor. Thanks

Phill Clarke, how to you tag people here?

Put an @ before the name.

Yes.

In fact, the pros suggest you have at least two before pitching in case the pitchee passes on your first project and asks if you have anything else.

Jeff Saylor Thanks for the reply, but I do detect some assumption in your reply. And yeah, guess I got it the other day with Kay Luke ' s comment. All about "status". Thank you for your time thought.

Thanks William Martell and Richard Geiwitz

Yes and it must be well written.

If you're pitching with the intention of getting hired to write the feature or pilot, you are going to need a sample that demonstrates the ability to complete a feature or pilot. No one hires writers on the basis of an assertion "I think I can write a script." They want to know, if they write a check, you actually can and the proof you can is a sample that proves you have done it before.

Max Adams Thanks, yes in my case I'm thinking of the specific script not being written, but several others and outlines and everything being completed.

Being completed, as in being completed in the future? Or are completed now? They have to be completed and available as samples when you do the pitch. Otherwise, it's just more of the same "I think I could do this," not "I have done this." And doesn't mean anything.

Not always, but on S32 Pitch Sessions you do.

Max Adams Completed, meaning completed now.

Donnalyn Vojta Thanks, I was wondering about that as well.