As a high school teacher, the one message I tell my students is that learning is an iterative process. As an aspiring (and amateur) television writer, I need to remind myself of that repeatedly. But I'm also more aware of my students' feelings when I tell them about grit and learning to fail.
Several years ago, I finished the first draft of my pilot episode when I completed the UCLA writing program. Upon completing the program, we "earned" a meeting with a prominent executive (who volunteered their time and energy.). In hindsight, and in rereading that script today, it was awful. And boy did that executive let me know it. I was devastated (I thought I had some good work) - and one line of his resonates with me today: "I feel like I am teaching you the whole UCLA course." I still hear that line in the back of my head when I consider sharing my work today. I thank my lucky stars that I didn't meet him in person as originally planned.
My second fail came when I did my first practice pitch. The person I pitched to clocked me at over 35 minutes and they noted, "Pitch from the heart. Pitch your story. Don't pitch like you are teaching a class." My second practice pitch was markably improved.
For a number of reasons, I had to take a break for the past six months but Im ready to be back in the game. I'm still very nervous about doing a pitch!
What a great reflection, Eric Walters. Thank you for sharing! It reminds me of something Meg LeFauv said (she visited the Stage 32 Writer's Room - you can see a clip on today's Coffee & Content Blog: https://www.stage32.com/blog/Coffee-and-Content-Overcoming-Failure-in-th...) and she often says on her podcast "The Screenwriter's Life".
Mmm... yeah, that's rough. I can identify with the executive because it is difficult when you want to help someone else but they have so much to learn that they aren't really meeting you halfway. I have definitely written coverage and felt like half of my notes were just teaching the writer instead of guiding the next steps. On the other hand, you don't know what you don't know, and so you couldn't have known you didn't know enough to meet him where he needed you to be. But hey - you're still at it! And I think that's what's most important!
Oh, hey - we can help you with that pitch! Have you tried using Stage 32's free Pitching Guidebook to structure your pitch? https://www.stage32.com/sites/stage32.com/themes/two/pdfs/happy-writers/... You can use it for your 2-page pitch document, your 5-minute verbal pitch, or your 15-30 page pitch deck.
If you'd like more guided instruction, definitely search our webinars for how to pitch: https://www.stage32.com/education?search=pitch
Actually, is this a kids' series? There is an upcoming webinar for developing and pitching, and I would highly suggest attending LIVE so you can have your questions answered! Plus, it's more fun when it's interactive. https://www.stage32.com/webinars/How-to-Successfully-Write-for-Kids-TV-a...
Final bit o' advice - consider trying out the Stage 32 Writer's Room. We host a weekly Pitch Practice session where you can get peer feedback on your 5-minute verbal pitch. It has truly been an invaluable asset to so many members! You can either DM me for a link or email our Director of Script Services, Jason Mirch: J.Mirch@stage32.com