Screenwriting : Pitch sessions by Sash Andranikian

It was a subjective opinion, and it was positive because it pushed me to polish and improve my work. No sale, but I was treating it as a learning opportunity more than anything.

The pitch session involves about 5-6 minutes of telling the story of your film briefly. After that the listener will usually hit you with canned responses. The goal of which is to make you feel like you haven't done enough work on the script or story or that you have failed to communicate the point of it effectively. They haven't been "grabbed" emotionally. So to make this case the questions will usually sound like this...

"What's the tone?" "Why does your character ______"? (make their choice to react to the inciting incident. etc. "Whose story is this?" "What's their POV?" "How does so and so change by the end of the film? What's their arc? What do they want?

Keep in mind that, having logical answers to all of these questions at the ready will not help because they are not there for actual material. Not at all. Hope this helps.

Laurie Ashbourne just posted a blog about her stage 32 pitching experience & movie deal w/ Eli Roth and Orion pictures. Follow her game plan.

M.L. - That's what I thought... I don't trust paid pitching opportunities. These questions you mentioned are pure academic questions that we should answer while we're writing. No point to pay someone so they can critique your material without their personal interest in the final outcome.

Stephen, sure opinion is important, but I wouldn't make changes (unless I'm convinced it will make the script better) if whoever is giving the feedback is not interested personally. As many people, as many opinions. That's why I'm wondering if any of you sold your script or got it produced through these paid pitches?

Or at virtualpitchfest? Any real stories of success? Not bs ferry-tails?

You seem set on making a movie. Why not skip pitching and just make it?

Stephen! Between a finished script and a green light you gotta pitch gazillion times to get the money in place. Besides that - you absolutely right! Just make it!)

Kay Luke Laurie has a track record and she used the services. And so? Sash Andranikian is a feature film Director. He lists his directing credits.

The one time you showed up to a legit conference, American Film Market, the Head of AFM called you a liar.

Kay. They make movies in other places besides Hollywood. You don’t have to take meetings to sell a screenplay. What Oscar Winning Producer did you live with?

Hey folk; we don't need any more little dust ups. You say tomato, I say potato - let's just leave it at that, eh?

Some time ago I needed a set of fresh eyes on a dramedy I wrote, so I contacted Laurie and sent the script to her. She gave a thorough read-through and her notes pretty much coincided with what I felt about the script. Some time later I entered that same script in Stage 32's 4th Annual Feature Screenwriting Contest, and it won.

Laurie's the real deal.

This thread is not a discussion about Laurie's credentials or ability (and I don't know who's Laurie, btw). It is obvious that getting any third party opinion on your script is helpful at least, especially if whoever offers opinion has experience in the field. But my question was about something else. These paid pitch sessions with producers are advertised as a possibility to find home for your screenplay, not just an opinion. So I wanted to hear real stories about someone completely unknown, without any prior connections selling or having his/her script produced through these pitches.

I agree with Kay Luke and also convinced that the real players wouldn't read a script for few hundred bucks, moreover give their opinion to everyone who needs it. Real players would read the script for free because they are looking for a specific content. So if there aren't any miracle stories to hear on this website then you're indeed buying a subjective opinion. But then you would want this kind of opinion from someone who's work you really like and respect their vision. Otherwise I can get it for free from my associates and friends.

And CJ, I think we should not punish people here by banning them just for expressing their opinion even if you don't like it. The whole point of threads is to hear opinions. Anyone may dismiss or second guess anything. If you disagree - express your opinion, without going to extremes of suggesting to ban people for their right of speech.

This is not about Kay Luke or Laurie Asbourne people. Only about a miracle of getting your script produced with help of this network.)

So we don't have an answer to Sash Andranikian's question yet.

Hi, Sash. Have you read the testimonials and success stories found under "Script Services?" Many S32 pitches and/or contest wins and/or writing services have lead to script requests, meetings, and/or representation, and/or hires. Laurie's project is certainly a fantastic success story. ;)

Hi, Sash, interesting question. I've been on both ends as a Writer/Producer. Actually, for stuff I myself am looking for, I am very particular, and when I am pitching a project, I usually know the Producer and they are on another level than myself (trying to upgrade my project). Since you are a Director, Producer, Writer how do you get your productions made, do you try to link up with other Producers? If so, I alway look for someone who is first interested in my project, and also someone who can bring the production to another level.

Hi Beth. I haven't read the testimonials, I'm somewhat skeptical about existing testimonials. For this very reason I opened this thread, asking all of you here, if anyone can share a positive outcome from paid pitches. And not just script requests, but have your script produced. So far, as you see yourself, not one firsthand positive feedback, only success stories about somebody else. I want to hear from another S32 user, such as myself, a story that after he paid to pitch to some unknown producer he got his/her script produced or at very least sold. Not just critiqued.

Eugene, I'm a director first. I write (and produce if I have to) only my own projects. I do try to link with other producers, to get a co-producer on the project. Moreover, to be a writer/director is plenty enough, so I would happily forfeit the producers credit if I don't have to think about it, but it didn't happen so far...

Sash, that is where many share their experiences. Best to you. ;)

Sash. The odds of an unknown screenwriter with no track record or agent selling a spec screenplay are about 1 in 5,000. Nine out of 10 of those usually die in development hell. The only way to increase those odds is to make contacts in the business so a positive outcome might be just getting a read or a meeting and contact those producers when after you finish your next screenplay and so on. Sales are great but contacts are everything.

As anything else in film, Dan. Absolutely agree with you.

I have just had two pitch sessions. In the second one, she has advised that she will request the script to read, and stage 32 will go through their process with me to send it. I am not sure how long the follow up process takes, but it sounded positive, and I look forward to recieving feedback on my pitch and my screenplay. The first was fine, he said he thought it was intriguing, and will write up a review. These have just happened this week, so my personal experience so far was positive. I was expecting to learn how to pitch, and learn from my lack of experience in these sessions, so it is thus far a bit of a bonus to have had a positive response. I hope this helps.