Screenwriting : Why pay $$ to pitch when your pitch is easily available through your profile/social media? by Greg Zawaski

Hi, Greg Zawaski. The main purpose of the Pitch Sessions is to get feedback to improve your pitch, but sometimes the executives, managers, etc. will request scripts, sign writers, etc. (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/success-stories).

Industry professionals search profiles on here for projects. That – and networking – is how I sold four short scripts to a producer.

Why isn't Allegra Craver for example on Stage 32?

Do you mean why doesn't Allegra have a profile on Stage 32, Greg Zawaski? If so, I'm not sure.

That's what I mean, yes. She is offering pitch sessions, but there's no way to reach her on here. What makes her any more special than others here? I survive on disability presently. Spending $299 to pitch a random is something I'm reluctant to do.

You can email Stage 32 if you have any questions for Allegra, Greg Zawaski. success@stage32.com.

It's $299 for the Feature Script Read + Studio Level 60 Minute Talk with an Executive, TV Pilot Read + Studio Level 60 Minute Talk with an Executive, and Adaptation Review & 60 Minute Call with an Executive. The Pitch Session is $35.

I want to reach NBC. Or, one of the other major networks i.e. CBS, ABC or FOX. Then my last choice is Netflix. I don't even know if this person is connected to these networks. I sent an email though.

Greg, I am in same boat physically and financially. If our work is already posted here why do we have to pay to pitch it? Makes no sense. sounds like a money grab to me. If they were serious about new material, they would just look here and we could save our dough, and a lot of time but then, of course, they wouldn't get the pitch money . and maybe that is the idea?

Todd Fabyanic can you please elaborate on a "virtual pitch" . Thanks

Such a nuisance that Stage 32 doesn't have Zoom as an option. Expecting people to install Skype. All for 8 minutes of time from a random.

Here's what's funny. There is no Zoom option to pitch. Only Skype. I can't set up Skype on my computer.

I absolutely agree, I have a couple of ideas of tv series I want to pitch but just the cost of pitching it is expensive. producers need to be able to be accommodated and let us pitch our ideas for and not require to pay for them. I’m on a low income and can’t afford the exorbitant amount they are charging us.

Hi Mike, I am from Down Under. Over here you don't get free writing programs. There are competitions to apply for, must pay of course. But here things are run different eg if you are interested in horror films, you have a slim chance, they baulk at that genre. It runs very different different in the Australian market. That's why I chose to try and break in to the USA way. I never qualified for a pitch here but I attempted a pitch in L.A. some time ago the person was very interested but my project could no be accepted due to copyright on the title. It is a prequel to the Halloween film series. It gave me hope to succeed next time. In Australia this doesn't happen.

Mike. I was only answering your comment "Also, not sure how it works Down Under". I understand what you are saying 'If you don't own the IP don't write stories based on the IP', well in this case it was a little different. I did contact the company that owns the name first by email, then by phone. I spoke to a representative who brushed me off by repeating "they don't accept unsolicited scrips". I explained that I was only asking for permission to use the name and how to go about doing that. I still have no answer and I do understand the process. So I am learning how things work over there.

Greg Zawaski Theoretically Greg, any producer or even investor worth their weight in expertise should be able to evaluate a film project based on Genre, Budget, short synopsis (Four sentences max) and maybe one targeted actor or actress. That's it.

Now depending if there is interest in your screenplay and how tightly you've constructed it, if they greenlight it, there will undoubtably be some changes. You can take that for what it's worth.

A lot of producers and investors don't take the window of opportunity seriously which makes me think that sometimes they would rather live off the hopes and dreams of others than to seriously create history with every film.

Everything I believe is common sense and logic in order to make a profitable film seems to be in conflict with established practices that do not leave everyone satisfied and exist because of any number of reasons from poor execution of the material to unethical accounting equations created to improve gain through manipulated losses.

You have to pick and choose your battles and then hold your ground.

I appreciate the idea of TV spec pilot, unfortunately for me Miramax have paid for the rights to produce a TV series set during the first Halloween (1978). I was advised to find an agent when I'm in L.A. in April. I personally think that would be difficult as I am a first timer. At the moment anyway, I'm working on writing a TV series in the horror genre. If possible can you give me a hint on how to put together a TV series bible. Basically it's an anthology, different stories and not the same characters. I would appreciate the help.

Thank you for the recommendation.

Hey, Andreas Miliaressis. Stage 32 has an on-demand webinar on putting together a series bible/pitch bible. www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-write-your-tv-pitch-bible-to-s...

Stage 32 also has a free on-demand webinar where Jason Mirch breaks down the STRANGER THINGS script and bible. www.stage32.com/webinars/Breaking-Down-the-Emmy-Winning-Script-and-Bible...

Maurice Vaughan you are a legend, thanks for the links.

You're welcome, Andreas Miliaressis.

Drongo Bum , that's the hard part is finding producers you can reach. I have had recommend and every pitch I had liked my Pilot but through this platform you just wait and don't hear back. Frustrating

Last year, There was less than 25 sold specs that made industry headlines, the biggest sale was by an unknown writer/PH D scientist, guaranteed $1.25M in his pockets.

Basically selling specs is not the path to a career (in America). It never was. Most paying jobs are assignments- then, now, future.

And two years ago during the labor strikes. I was floored by peers & mentors- ppl (writers & actors) whose tv shows & movies I've seen- and they publicly and privately said how little income they really make. Maybe this is why script services are booming. Everyone is struggling.

Mike Childress So Mike, what makes you decide if you should skim through a script or not? Pardon the pun. Intended yes, just for a bit of fun. My question is serious, though.

Mike Childress Thanks for the info. But how you do you spot them... which source(s)?

Mike Childress You mention Ghost Writers. They will be keeping in touch with many of the ones on the French Riviera, their masters, while they continue to bank on their masters' notoriety. Jealousy has no place here, but envy is almost a must.

Greg Zawaski i agree with you completely. I wrestle with whether the pitch sessions are little more than money grabs. It doesn’t help that oftentimes you don’t get your feedback in a timely manner, only to get a pass and once I questioned if the “executive” even read the material based on the feedback they provided which took a month to receive. It’s very frustrating and feels like burning money.