Screenwriting : Pitchfest by Ed Tasca

Kathy, thanks. That sounds like good advice. Problem is it's always easier to talk story than character.

Practice out loud. Practice a few times for several days in a row so that it will seep into your subconscious, like listening to a song over and over so that you can sing it how you want without having to think of the words. Above all, bring your passion. Your work will get them interested, your passion will get them on your side.

Gordon, thanks. Seems everybody agrees, you're performing not marketing.

Best of luck, try not to get bogged down in the details, focus on what the character is up against and what's at stake if they don't succeed.

Remember, you ARE marketing, not impressing (showing off) your "clever" artistry. Keep it short. Hit the main points, and I agree, don't get bogged down in details. Keep it shorter than the allotted time, so you can ask or respond to questions or address their issues. Breathe! Good luck!

Thanks, Leon.

This is all great advice. I'm doing my first pitch soon as well and I'm focusing on character first then story.

This from my ScreenwritingU ProSeries class: ONE-SENTENCE PHONE PITCH FORMULA The beautiful thing of a great phone pitch is that the moment you say it, you INSTANTLY gain credibility with the producer. Even if they don't request the script, they will see you as professional because you have a project that fits in their world. The formula is simple: Pitch Your Biggest Hook! Some examples: The movie GIRLFIGHT was pitched as "a female ROCKY." That could have also worked for MILLION DOLLAR BABY. PASSENGER 57 was pitched as DIE HARD on a plane. But, if a short pitch doesn't instantly hook them, don't use it. For example, I've heard pitches like "Frankenstein meets Clueless" and I still can't figure out what that means. You're much better off with something like: "Push this button, you'll get $1 million...but someone you don't know will die. Do you push it?" IMPORTANT: If you have a very strong business hook, you lead with that. For example, if you can say "I own the rights to the novel about..." or "I have control of the life rights of...," then start with that. Don't hold back your best business hook. Follow these steps: 1. Find the biggest HOOK you have for this project. 2. Write a powerful one-sentence pitch centered around that hook. It needs to be simple, clear and gets the listener to see a movie within 15 seconds. 3. Come up with a few answers to questions that might come up, because a listener is intrigued by your pitch. Best of luck, Ed. Let us know how you do!

Gary, I would say that the cattle call approach to pitchfests are indeed a waste of time. I believe what Ed is speaking of is one of the pitchfests offered here on Stage 32 Happy Writers. These are worth every penny and more. The people you are pitching to are actively looking for material and very often not only request scripts but strike deals.

As I said the cattle call fests yes, I agree. However, if you've never been a part of or even looked into the success stories of the ones hosted here you really shouldn't be bashing them or proclaiming the limitations of what they offer.

What is limited? The amount of slots? The number of successes? This page, http://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/success-stories -- is an impressive list of success stories for the short period of time they have been doing these. If you understand the industry you would also understand that projects take years from signing to production and distribution and that the amazon entity, IMDB is a nice tool, but it takes quite a while to catch up and update project status and is not reflective of EVERYTHING going on behind the scenes in the industry. I know IMDB inside and out, have a lengthy profile on there, and actually do contract work for amazon and still I know that it is not an indicator of success. Like I said, the cattle call approach to pitchfests is ridiculous. But this thread is in regards to something entirely different. If you want to bash what is going on here, you're in for certain loss.

Gary, I read your post the first time, no need to read it again. I said then, that I agree about the industry rubbish out there and that what Ed is participating in is not in that same category. Yet you continue to lump the pitchfests here into the same category and I won't stand for that. If you want to be a bitter writer perhaps you are the one who should stay home and not work everyday to get your projects made. How many projects have you sold or have in development? You

There is no easy way in, that is the only fact. Everyone that makes it makes it their own way, you, nor anyone else, has a right to tell someone willing to put in the extreme dedication required to sit home.

Gary: 1) You still fail to acknowledge the difference between what this thread started as and what you turned it into by generalizing that the pitchfests offered here are the same as the one that want nothing more than to steal money. The ones here provide true access that no others do, THAT IS A FACT. 2) What is un-professional is a writer who thinks their experience (or lack thereof), and opinion is the only one that matters and offers it with an incredible amount of typos. Ed: I wish you all the best with your pitch, and if anything I hope you use Gary's cynicism as inspiration to succeed.

Thanks for proving my point(s), Gary.

Gary, thanks for taking what was obviously a considerable amount of time to address my post. You make an awful lot of assumptions about me and my work, based on a two-sentence comment. But your fire is well understood. This is a nasty business. Anyway, I do have a pretty significant writing CV, so maybe what we all need to do is calm down and get to know one another better and share experiences. Again, thanks for your passionate commentary and advice.

Aaaanyway, back on topic: When I went to Pitchfest last year a former head of Amblin entertainment gave a roomful of us this advice- 1. Don't shake hands unless offered, they've seen however many people in one day- not all of them may have washed their hands from going to the restroom(!) 2. Ask how THEY are. It's a nice icebreaker and endears yourself to them. 3. RELAX! The best pitches I had were i the afternoon because I'd loosened up enough for the real me and not 'interviewee' me to come out. It should be said liquor is a no no: no matter how many lifesavers you chow down, nothing will scrub the smell of unprofessionalism from your breath. 4. Don't hide behind your onesheets, they are a tool for your pitch not 'The Entire Pitch'. You have to be able to hold a conversation about your characters and why we give a rats ass about them, props help but shouldn't be a sum total of the story. 5. Finally, this ones from me personally, Don't bother with the companies that haven't posted their info OR post it the night before. The reaction I got was one of begrudging tolerance whenever I went to pitch and it was a waste of a valuable pitch session to talk to them as they couldn't give me anything to connect to them professionally. I wish you all the best and for God's sake take some wet wipes, it gets sweaty with all the nervous energy around you

Balraj, great advice. Thank you. Do they accept gifts? That's both a joke and a vague sort of wonder.

It'd be like trying to bribe your way into Iran using bacon sandwiches: It ain't gonna happen! The best gift you can produce is something your pitch sparks INSIDE them, so get to know your characters and compelling reasons why we care for them. Get readings for your scripts and notes on weak points you may have missed, something I had trouble understanding when I was approached about one of 4 pitches I made. The company was coy about why they didn't want to go forward and it took a blacklist readers review to get to the bottom of.

Balraj, thanks for the advice. It's all true I'm sure.

Please keep us updated here or on twitter, I wish you the best of luck and stay cynical: It'll help you bluff away the bullshit.

Hey Kathy, thanks. Gary is gone. A healthy debate is one thing but Stage 32, isn't a place for people like him. Ed, we're all counting on you to knock it out of park!

Good job Laurie ;) well handled! Ed - good luck mate, you'll do great!

Spike, thanks.

Smile while you present your pitch--it shows confidence and eases your audience. Practice it out loud till you have it nailed and can present it to a friend or relative without embarrassment, and WITH confidence. If you can get over that particular embarrassment, you'll have little problem presenting it to someone who actually wants to hear it.