Screenwriting : Pitch fests are worth doing! by Gareth Worthington

Hi all, just completed two pitches back to back this morning. Both execs asked for my work. While I am in a unique position (I have books, not scripts), the sessions are totally worth it. More than ten studios have agreed to read my work so far. There have been various responses from 'it's too big for us' to 'it just doesn't fit in our portfolio right now'. Still, now four studios are still reading. While the books may never get optioned, I still hold out for that one exec who will take a chance and at least want to hang on to the rights to them. With so much interest in the books, someone has to take a bite and hold on. Why am I telling you this? Because without Richard at Stage32 and Joey at the newly acquired Happy Writers, movie execs wouldn't even know my books exist. Secondly, it's all about HOW you pitch it. Technically, all of these execs could tell me to go away as I don't have a script. But I pitch with passion and enthusiasm for my work. I know my characters and can answer every question that gets throw at me. And it pays off. Maybe my books will be movies. Maybe they won't. But, at least I tried. So if you were afraid, or nervous, strap on a pair and join the next Pitch fest. :)