The Pitch Tank with Michael Schulman (Story Analyst, Amazon)

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The Pitch Tank

Webinar hosted by: The Pitch Tank

Michael is currently the Story Analyst for Amazon Studios where he covers all submissions for development that come through to Amazon. Prior to Amazon, Michael Schulman was the story analyst/script consultant for Netflix in the Original Independent Film (OIF) division. Prior to his work with Netflix and Amazon, Michael worked at Barry Mendel Productions on the Disney lot where he was involved with the acquisition, development and production of Wes Anderson's RUSHMORE, Oscar Nominated THE SIXTH SENSE, and Spielberg's Oscar Nominated MUNICH. Michael spent two years as head of development for 4 time Oscar Nominated Michael Mann’s company where he worked on Oscar nominated ALI starring Will Smith, 5 time Oscar Winning THE AVIATOR, and TEXAS KILLING FIELDS starring Jessica Chastain. Michael also spent years on the buyer side of film as VP of Development for Alec Baldwin’s company at Orion Pictures and subsequently for Dennis Quaid’s company at TriStar. Michael’s consultations are designed for advanced screenwriters who are ready to take their career to the next level and start seeking professional representation. He also wants to work with writers who have their first draft, and need help brainstorming what the key elements are to keep and edit to quickly get your project market ready. You will receive an in-depth analysis of your project’s strengths and weaknesses and an accurate preview of how agents, managers, and studios would respond to the submission. Michael has presented several well-received webinars on the screenplay development and acquisition process, and he has been interviewed and frequently quoted in the industry media. More importantly, you will get the experience of being in a producer’s meeting where the goal is to dissect the draft and get the project ready to submit to the studio. This is a deep creative scrub of your project that will provide a specific game plan for a rewrite that will help position your project in the sweet-spot of what the studios and streamers are looking for. Michael is happy to discuss strategies to effectively find the right professional representation, and—when it’s appropriate—facilitate introductions to agents, managers, and producers to help get the right eyes on your material. Michael began his career at the William Morris Agency as an agent trainee and assistant to the worldwide head-of-talent where he worked with top actors including Richard Gere, Mel Gibson, Nicolas Cage, Denzel Washington, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nicole Kidman. After a move to ICM, and upon promotion to agent in the motion picture literary department, Michael began representing emerging screenwriters, directors, and producers, brokering the deal for Danny Rubin’s screenplay GROUNDHOG DAY to director Harold Ramis. Full Bio »

Webinar Summary

We're back in the Writers' Room for The Pitch Tank with Michael Schulman. Writers will have a precisely timed 5-minute window to present their pitches, while our seasoned experts meticulously dissect each presentation, providing constructive feedback. Step into a welcoming and supportive space where everyone is invited to participate and grow together. Elevate your pitching skills in an atmosphere dedicated to fostering growth and creativity!

What You'll Learn

We're back in the Writers' Room for The Pitch Tank with Michael Schulman. Writers will have a precisely timed 5-minute window to present their pitches, while our seasoned experts meticulously dissect each presentation, providing constructive feedback. Step into a welcoming and supportive space where everyone is invited to participate and grow together. Elevate your pitching skills in an atmosphere dedicated to fostering growth and creativity!

About Your Instructor

Michael is currently the Story Analyst for Amazon Studios where he covers all submissions for development that come through to Amazon. Prior to Amazon, Michael Schulman was the story analyst/script consultant for Netflix in the Original Independent Film (OIF) division.

Prior to his work with Netflix and Amazon, Michael worked at Barry Mendel Productions on the Disney lot where he was involved with the acquisition, development and production of Wes Anderson's RUSHMORE, Oscar Nominated THE SIXTH SENSE, and Spielberg's Oscar Nominated MUNICH. Michael spent two years as head of development for 4 time Oscar Nominated Michael Mann’s company where he worked on Oscar nominated ALI starring Will Smith, 5 time Oscar Winning THE AVIATOR, and TEXAS KILLING FIELDS starring Jessica Chastain.

Michael also spent years on the buyer side of film as VP of Development for Alec Baldwin’s company at Orion Pictures and subsequently for Dennis Quaid’s company at TriStar.

Michael’s consultations are designed for advanced screenwriters who are ready to take their career to the next level and start seeking professional representation. He also wants to work with writers who have their first draft, and need help brainstorming what the key elements are to keep and edit to quickly get your project market ready. You will receive an in-depth analysis of your project’s strengths and weaknesses and an accurate preview of how agents, managers, and studios would respond to the submission. Michael has presented several well-received webinars on the screenplay development and acquisition process, and he has been interviewed and frequently quoted in the industry media.

More importantly, you will get the experience of being in a producer’s meeting where the goal is to dissect the draft and get the project ready to submit to the studio. This is a deep creative scrub of your project that will provide a specific game plan for a rewrite that will help position your project in the sweet-spot of what the studios and streamers are looking for. Michael is happy to discuss strategies to effectively find the right professional representation, and—when it’s appropriate—facilitate introductions to agents, managers, and producers to help get the right eyes on your material.

Michael began his career at the William Morris Agency as an agent trainee and assistant to the worldwide head-of-talent where he worked with top actors including Richard Gere, Mel Gibson, Nicolas Cage, Denzel Washington, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nicole Kidman. After a move to ICM, and upon promotion to agent in the motion picture literary department, Michael began representing emerging screenwriters, directors, and producers, brokering the deal for Danny Rubin’s screenplay GROUNDHOG DAY to director Harold Ramis.

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