Ok so I know that this is going to sound like a ranting, but just expressing my frustration here about 'pitch decks'. I'll start at the beginning. So I've been trying to get my book turned into a TV series and somebody accepted the idea of which I was happy, but required a pitch deck. I had no clue what that was even after being in this industry going on 12 yrs. Well, I checked out two different classes through stage 32 and in the end getting more confused as what I got from these classes was that you have too be 'seriously' proficient at adobe photoshop (Of which I am not) tried looking up what a pitch deck was on the internet for the entertainment industry of which there's no reference for and have found that pitch deck guidelines are vague at best when submitting for a project as your not sure if its too long, too short, if your explaining your project correctly etc. In the end I've tried to give people who I am pitching too what they want (Logline, series bible etc), but after all this, still confused about a pitch deck. I mean why do a pitch deck when the guidelines are vague, depending on what type of media your submitting for only too run the risk of a rejection? when your pitch is dependent on it?
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I too am confused about all the chatter about "pitch decks" - when one on one meetings in person or online can do the job. Issue is finding who to pitch to. I am looking for 4 folks to sit in on a pitch fest we are creating in November and believe me over 100 emails and 150 to 200 calls and no clue how to make this happen. I call all of these road blocks to creativity. Sorry you too are having issues.
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The pitch deck runs down your story, the characters, and how each episode unfolds. Each page should have illustrations. You'll want to start with an intro - a world overview, a summary of the whole series, then independent pages on character introductions, followed by an episodic summary. Final page is your photo and contact info. Last pitch deck I read was 16 pages. I'd be happy to share more specifics on it if you'd like.
Ok, So 'why' have a pitch deck? If your trying to pitch something for a TV series, (which I did) got accepted and had a series bible, logline and synopsis, people are still requesting a pitch deck? doesn't the aforementioned explain the 'necessities' of your project/production? also how do you know if your pitch deck is too long/short? Too much/Not enough pictures and wording? where do you get pictures from without being accused of copyright infringement? I have even checked out adobe programs that have given no reference on how to create a pitch for a producer. There are nothing but vague details on this new criterion to submit projects to producers etc In the end? beyond frustrating
Yikes. Sorry about all this gatekeeping. The sad part is, alot of these people have the word 'creative' in their job titles. Lol
This business is all about eyeball-to-eyeball connections.
Ok, I get it that this business is competitive and I'm good with that. But to have to do something to get an executives attention that there are no rules, no references and vague answers on etc on how to do? I am protesting this
Jalleh - you're down there in the SCAL neighborhood where there more film people concentrated than in any other location on the globe. Hang your 'shy girl' sweater in the closet and get out there among 'em - mix & mingle. There are all sorts of festivals, seminars, lectures, classes, parties and various meeting grounds down there. Get out there and look 'em in the eye, volunteer on a hot set...
Jalleh Doty A pitch deck is a concise medium that makes your project pop in a short and simple way. Like an action reel. Even if you have a script and a one page, they'll want you to send in a treatment and more. I've seen writers get meetings just by verbally telling their story, then they have to create a pitch deck, bible, etc.
You can use real pictures of actors and some screenshots from films/ shows that reflect your story. Even directors, when showing a pitch reel to a studio, they'll rip scenes from movies and put it together in a reel over music from other movies that gives an impression of their project. It's pretty common.
It can be frustrating, but that's the way it's been for years. It's also best to be fully stocked and loaded as oppose to having nothing. Film is a visual medium after all.
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Ok, your obviously more adept at this at I am. I only heard this term for the first time recently after working in this industry for 12 yrs and tried to make an effort to figure it out, how to do this etc. I am not saying that I know 'everything' as this industry is changing all the time. Just long story short, there 'seriously' needs to be a service for this as people like myself just aren't sure where to start and don't want to get pegged for copyright infringement, because of the fact that these pitch decks do contain pictures from copyrighted media......
Jalleh Doty You're so right! For sure. I hope it all changes. You're left wondering if you're doing things the right way. It's a crazy place we put ourselves into. But if you hear from others about their process and it lines up with other writers and your own work, you're onto something! I've read some amazing pitch decks. I can lay out the basic idea in a message if you'd like. Other than that, hope it does change. I also love your logline for The Last Savior!
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Thank you!!! I mean I even took two different classes on stage 32 (To try to see how to how do this, but got vague answers), tried to look up a pitch for the entertainment industry on the internet (Nothing there). I mean if some there was a universal strategy on 'how' to do an effective pitch deck for 'all' media with guidelines, references that would stick out during a submission for a pitch a etc, so that people like myself who have just started getting into this part of the entertainment industry, that would be great. I'm always up for ideas Lou. Your welcome to msg me. Also thanks for the love for my logline for The Last Savior