Screenwriting : AFF Pitch Competition Finals by Richard Willett

Richard Willett

AFF Pitch Competition Finals

I made it to the finals in the Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition last week. I didn't win, but I got a lot of laughs (the script's a comedy), and thorny judge Craig Mazin (of ScriptNotes fame) said, "I so want to be a jerk, but I have nothing bad to say." After which judge Lindsay Doran looked at me in shock and said, "You broke Craig." He also paid me perhaps the highest compliment you can get for a pitch: "That's a movie. I can see the movie." I hadn't pitched much at all before February of this year, when I started doing the Stage 32 Happy Writers Skype sessions. It's really been life changing. Prior to that, I could never have imagined myself in the position of even being in the AFF competition, let alone advancing to the finals. So thanks to Stage 32! Keep practicing, face your fears, and never give up!

John Iannucci

Maybe a career in standup? Only kidding - keep it up.

Bill Costantini

Rich even stands up like a stand up.....and does that finger thing like one, too....I'd pay $89.95 plus tax and tip with a two-drink minimum to see and hear Rich riff....and he's a nice letter-writer too, in addition to being a successful playwright. Congrats and keep up the great work, Rich....and if you can flip over Craig Mazin....which is like trying to flip over the Pacific Ocean during a tsunami....imagine what you could do at the Improv...or at Brad Garrett's Comedy Club. You could buy your own theater after a couple years on the comedy circuit!

Richard "RB" Botto

Rich, you knocked it out of the park. All that hard work is paying off, my friend. Awesome to see.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Good work on the pitch. It takes a lot of guts to get up an pitch in front of a crowd.

Danny Manus

congrats! I know how hard that room is, so wtg!

Anthony Moore

Congratulations.

Richard Willett

Thanks for that, Nick. It was THE NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME FAMILY. (Logline: They say gay parents will inevitably turn their kids gay, right? Well, Bert and Martin are about to go on national television to prove them wrong. The only problem: All four of their kids appear to be gay.)

Jane Therese

Congrats what a great feeling for you Richard!!

Steven Harris Anzelowitz

So true stage32 is the reason I am on to my 4th copyrighted script. Best thing I ever did was meet "RB" in person at Quinn's Bar where he was doing a crowdfunding panel. Never give up!! Never surrender!! Don't quit till the miracle happens!!

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