Hello fellow creatives!
We as writers experience the all to dreadful "PASS" at one point or another in our efforts to promote our work, but more accurately, many times. It can be disheartening and tough to swallow. Our ego takes a hit and we wonder if an exec even understood our script/story.
However, feedback is learning and can help us evolve as writers to present an even better pitch the next go around. I share my recent feedback from an exec I pitched to in an effort to show my fellow writers that there is positivity and support even in a PASS.
Here it is:
John clearly put a lot of time and thought into a pitch that was equal parts thrilling and surprising. The time period felt incredibly appropriate for the story and I loved the PSYCHO meets SPLIT twist at the end. Since morality tales are always at the cornerstone of horror, it was really fun to see each character have to answer for their actions in some way. I did wonder if it was worth seeing Sammy survive at the end and show some kind of penance? I also think it would be helpful to explore how Martin deals with the aftermath of his personality that is his son. We aren't currently looking for projects in this vein but keep pitching. This was high concept and really fun and will find a good home.
I read these notes and heard a helpful voice acknowledging the strengths of my pitch, but also giving my food for thought on my pitch and the script itself. The best of both worlds.
Keep creating your magic fellow writers! The world is waiting for it!
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Thanks for sharing, John.
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Good luck.
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Even though you got a Pass, John, you got great feedback and suggestions. I understand what you're talking about ("It can be disheartening and tough to swallow. Our ego takes a hit and we wonder if an exec even understood our script/story."). I've had three Pitch Sessions on Stage 32, and they were all Pass, but each session helped me write a better pitch, which helped me rewrite the scripts. One of those scripts recently advanced in a Writers' Room Open Writing Assignment.
Stay encouraged. Your project sounds exciting, and there are other producers, execs, companies, etc. to pitch to. All you need is that one Yes.
And I was looking forward to the Pitch Practice last night, but after a long day of writing and networking, I had to SLEEP. Haha Looking forward to next week.
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I find the opportunities super helpful and so far no takers on my end :) Having access and receiving feedback will always be helpful irrespective of the outcome.
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I'm jealous of this feedback, great advice! My latest disappointment is high scores, positive comments, but then "pass" above. Just a few words to say why would be so helpful. More than "not for me" because why?
@Dan completely agree. I tell newer writers all the time… people either can’t help you further your career or they just don’t want to. There’s no in between.
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@John Thanks for share. A pass isn’t necessarily negative if execs acknowledge at least some talent and give back positive criticism/ golden nuggets how to improve. Some early pitches I did here told me the obvious, I wrote British style & British characters although the actual concept can go further. I took the hint, LOL too expensive not to & now add USA main character & tone down exposition to a “skinny” script. Also I got feedback from 2 execs to add certain scenes to 2 story’s and got results with British Execs as a result.