2019 has been an interesting year. I only started pitching via Skype at Stage 32 in February. You always learn a lot -- both about yourself and the executives you're pitching to. No one is perfect ... and often people (including yourself) simply don't have the best day on the pitching day.
Remember that sometimes it's not your fault, if the pitch goes south. Many of the executives are very discerning and picky, and in general they loathe too much self-promotion. They generally don't want to hear about the other projects you're developing (it confuses them so just stick to your pitch at hand). 8 minutes isn't a lot of time to make an impression, but sometimes you do succeed and manage to make a breakthrough despite the virtual distance, and that feels GOOD.
I've managed to submit both movie and TV pilot scripts to executives like Jason Piette (with whom I'm developing a TV series) and Jordan Garrett. Yesterday, I pitched to Tatiana Kelly and Andrew Kersey, who were both sympathetic and very professional.
I wish you all the best of luck, and I hope that like me, you'll make your final breakthrough in 2020.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year 2020!
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Hi Juhani. It's nice to meet you! I think you have some great advice about pitching. I think it can be very intimidating and your post is very encouraging. Happy Holidays!
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Rebecca - Likewise and I salute you for your uber-kind words. As a naturally timid / ADHD person, I've had to overcome several fears in my Skype live pitches here: a foreign language (English), a potential Euro trash bias (I know it exists and yes I've encountered it, too, alas) and the whole shebang about being unrepresented / not yet published / middle-aged cinescribe. But thanks to some unbiased execs / true menschs, I've fortunately overcome some of those perpetually gnawing fears. Always believe in yourself, in your work and your ability to make a lasting impression ... it sure can pay dividends and land you some unexpected connections, which are ultimately everything in this uber-tough biz. Good luck and always keep punching.
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Thanks for sharing that information. That's super helpful. Happy 2020 to you!