Producing : How many projects to bring as back up when asked about it during a pitch by Angelo Raza

Thanks a lot Brad. That is huge. I appreciate it. Cheers

A Panel of all Oscar winning Producers at The Chicago International Film Festival, a few years ago, said it best! "A filmmaker is only as good as their next film or what they are working on, it shows they are not a 'one hit wonder'. We are looking for filmmakers that are compelled to keep having ideas & developing projects." They all agreed that it's best to have 3 with complete loglines, that you can pitch at a moment's notice..

Thanks Becca. That is so precious.

This lead to the next question. Should I stick with the same genre or diversify?

Angelo Try writing in various genre. Eventually you'll find your own comfort zone. Once you find it, work to become the world's best at it.

Got it. Thanks a lot Doug. This is very empowering. Cheers

3 scripts with complete loglines is about right, that you can pitch off the cuff.

Thanks Pat. I will draft my third then. Cheers

Thank you for the question and the feedback.

Angelo Raza I'm no authority or expert but as far as I have learned 3 is right. A good number too.

Atleast one more that's really good. If it's really good, they won't pass up just because you don't have more.

I posted 3 on my project page to ensure at least one maybe appealing.

Two or three pitches ready, AND make sure you have the scripts ready to go. You're not pitching scripts that are not completed.

Brad, I think it’s important to do one’s homework. Research the person, company or group you are pitching to, so you know what they’ve done, know what they have in the pipeline & if possible know what they are looking for! You want to be a good fit & you want to look like you have a sense of who they are. If you know they’ve made a movie about a family during covid who’s dog died, don’t bring them the same idea, no matter what subtle tweaks you’ve made. If you know they’re known for action cop dramas but they want to break into the more Family Friendly genre, bring them some Family Friendly scripts, if you have them. I hope this helps.

Brad Havens, I just scrolled to the top to tead her original question again & saw your initial response! You said it all & I clearly didn’t do my homework & thus gave similar advice! lol

Becca and Brad, you both raise important issues and addressed them adequately. The only thing I would add is to have a list of illustrations that cater to the subject matter that appeal to them like their previous projects and work that appeals to them. This will reinforce that you have done your homework and value them, their work and input.

Ooo, I just love this shop talk, y'all! Thank you for the question, Angelo Raza! How did the pitch go? Brad Havens. Becca Carroll Guido Doug Nelson Pat Savage Elaine Roberts-Kercheff Tasha Lewis 2 Lindbergh Hollingsworth - I love how y'all just knocked this out of the park! Would y'all be willing to share with us an experience when you pitched a project and what you learned from it?

One of my alma mater's had Friday pitch sessions weekly. I pitched my novel "Searching for the Perfect Place" from project page using the Developing Your First Novel video. End result call back. I read a portion of a chapter having the executives close their eyes and have them use visualization. A technique that I used as a professor. They loved it.

Kanen - I don't pitch projects; my Agent does that part (hey, he's gotta do somethin' for his cut).

I hear ya, Brad Havens - it just needs to be made! Doug Nelson Oh, I didn't think agents were a thing anymore, just managers. And I kind of like pitching my own projects - not sure anyone else could/should do that.

My pitching session went well ten days ago. We had a zoom meeting where the producer provided his comments on both the synopsis and the screenplay. She asked me to come back once my homework is done. I was not asked another longline as the one I presented was deemed interesting enough for the producer. Fingers crossed. I will keep you posted.

Hi Pat! You have a very interesting and varied resume! Hope to work with you! Jane