Is it as hard as it seems?? Any suggestions or advice from anyone who has been able to successfully pitch to the streaming services, would be great because I really don’t know where to start.
Screenwriting : Pitching to Netflix/Hulu by LaTaveya Vault
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Hi, LaTaveya! I’m not sure about Netflix/Hulu, but have you checked out the “Script Services” tab here on Stage 32? There are opportunities to pitch to working executives from Universal, MGM, Mandalay Pictures, HBOMax
and many others!). If you would like some direction as to which executive best suits your script, please reach out to Jason Mirch (j.mirch@stage32.com), the Director of Script Services. He’s an amazing help and can also guide you in the next steps of your career!
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As far as I know, writers can't pitch Netflix (unless they are super-established etc.).
it is my understanding that solicitors on pay to pitch websites dont represent the companies they work for. They are merely offering education and advice from their experiences working in the field. However, plenty of writers have had "read requests" from paid pitches and a few deals$$.
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Hi LaTaveya,
It's not difficult, per sec, but to pitch to Netflix, you need a connection or contact with a working relationship with them.
As others have said, from what I hear the only way to pitch to Netflix is through someone with a working relationship. I would imagine it's the dream for most of us, but it's not an easy one, and understandably. Can you imagine the tsunami of pitches them and their staff would get!
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If you're looking to get to a place where you are pitching to Netflix, the first hurdle will probably be to get a Netflix-approved production company attached to your script. Then you would go in and pitch to Netflix together.
If you've got a script ready to go, start looking for production companies that fit your script that have worked with Netflix before (IMDBPro is a great resource for that) and start querying them. There are also some Execs on here on Stage 32 that take pitches and do coverage who have relationships with Netflix.
As far as the actual content of the pitch and what Netflix is looking for in a pitch, here is an amazing FREE webinar that Stage 32 did in conjunction with Netflix's Chris Mack: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Stage-32-%20-Netflix-Present-Television...
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Slightly disagree with others here. The place to start is to perfect your craft. Don't even try to pitch to anyone high on the food chain until you've written 5-8 scripts, rewritten them brutally, and have gotten truly honest feedback.
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There's writers here who have had their material pitched to Netflix. I know at least one did so by connecting with some producers on either Inktip or it was my own site Script Revolution.
It doesn't have to be producers. I have a valuable actor wanting to walk something into Netflix with me as the writer. I just don't like the concept they want to pitch LOL. Plus, even as a writer with some credits now, I'm not sure I'd want to go in at that level.
The real elephant in the room here is why Netflix/Hulu? These are two of the biggest players in town who are absolutely swamped with people trying to get through the door. It couldn't be a more competitive environment to try and tackle as an unknown. That's before we even get into the topic of what kind of deals are made.
As for when you approach. That's a tough one when I reflect back on my own journey. I'd been writing for one year and had three scripts to my name when Amazon Studios selected one of my features. The nature of the business is to pick people up and drop them so I lean toward making powerful connections as early as you can. Producers tend to be attracted to artistic voice and personality so don't mind building long-term relationships with writers they feel have potential.
Richard RB Botto talked about this in his IGTV on Instagram. There's a lot of interesting lives on his IG account and on stage32 IG's as well. I strongly recommend it. And networking is a must.
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Remember that there are other places to go to than Netflix. For a long time they were the only game in town but lots of other services are opening up so there's plenty of competition. Hulu, HBO Max, Paramount Plus, Amazon Studios are just a few.
On the good side of things they want you to tell them something that will knock them over. They want to hear about what you've done and you want to tell them. They want to be able to go to the other execs and say "You're going to love this." Don't be afraid to talk to them cause they would love for you to give them an idea that will change everything.On the bad side it's not going to be easy. Lots of trial and error so be ready to adjust your strategy as you go. Then you just have to wait and try some more, wait again, then try again. A development producer asked for my Look Book, Series Bible, the episode scripts, and a a few weeks to go over everything. Just got to wait.