The Pitch Tank with Dan Kavanagh
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Webinar hosted by: The Pitch Tank
Dan Kavanagh is an LA-based development executive who most recently served as Manager of TV Development at VERTIGO ENTERTAINMENT (WEAPONS, BARBARIAN, THE LEGO MOVIE), where he contributed to the development of shows at every major streamer, including WARHAMMER 40K at AMAZON. Previously, he worked as Development & Production Coordinator at AMC NETWORKS’ SHUDDER and SUNDANCE NOW, where he helped launch their reboot of STEPHEN KING and GEORGE ROMERO’s CREEPSHOW, which recently premiered its fourth season. What They Are Looking For and How They Can Help You! In Dan's own words: "Compelling, commercial scripts with great characters and unique stories will always be in demand. Having worked with some of the most prolific producers in the industry with credits on massive blockbusters and having been part of developing iconic franchises myself, I'm excited to work with writers to develop scripts that can stand out amongst a crowded field, with the goal of attracting interest from reps as well as buyers across Film & TV." Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
The Pitch Tank Webcast proved insightful and inspiring, offering real-world pitching strategies. This week’s guest, Dan Kavanagh, brought serious industry experience from his time at Vertigo Entertainment (home to projects like Weapons, Barbarian, and The Lego Movie), as well as development work on WARHAMMER 40K at Amazon and across AMC Networks’ genre platforms Shudder and Sundance Now, where he helped launch the modern revival of Creepshow.
During the LIVE session, writers delivered five-minute timed pitches while Dan and the Stage 32 pitch team broke down what made a concept feel commercial, compelling, and market-ready—and what held it back. Viewers walked away with invaluable lessons about how executives truly evaluate character clarity, concept strength, tone, and originality. Dan emphasized the importance of a protagonist with a defined goal and stakes that escalate. He highlighted common pitch mistakes, overcomplicating mythology, and underselling the emotional core, demonstrating how small adjustments to a pitch could dramatically elevate a project’s viability.
Most importantly, attendees gained a sharper understanding of today’s marketplace: how to position a story strategically, how to speak the language of development executives (set pieces), and how to balance creative passion with commercial awareness. Watching pitches get refined in real-time gave viewers practical tools they could immediately apply to their own projects, leaving them better prepared, more confident, and ready to win any executive room.
What You'll Learn
The art of pitching your projects with real-time, applicable notes from top industry execs on what works from our Writers' Room Member's pitches and what could use developing in a safe, supportive environment designed for the writers' growth.
About Your Instructor
The Pitch Tank
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