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Not sure if this has been covered before (had a look, but couldn't see anything), or if I've even posted this in the correct sub-forum, but I was wondering, does anyone has any experience with pitching features to production companies?
I've been invited to pitch a project of mine to a London-based producer next week. I'm currently preparing the pitch, but as a pitch virgin, I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips/ hints/ anything that may be useful for the meet?
COngrats on the invitation to pitch! Must feel good.
Here's a SS thread that should help you out. It's run by our resident literary agent, Babz Bitela. Folks pitch ideas on the thread and she helps improve them. And allong the way she drops some pretty shiny pearls of wisdom...
Pitches are all about enticement. ONLY. Don't think in any other terms than that. Get them intrigued, "show a little leg", as Babz would say. Pique their interest, get them asking you questions about your story.
Good luck!
Regards, E.D.
LATEST NEWS CineVita Films is producing a short based on my new feature!
There's an old adage in real estate sales, or sales in general - you don't sell the steak, you sell the sizzle...
Don't spend too much time telling them what your movie's about - tell them WHY you are different, and relevant, and what's in it for them if they risk their money on you. Remember, after you finish writing a script it turns into a business. A business with employees, and with investors. And you are the CEO...
Thank you for the brilliant tips, and the heads up regarding Babz' thread. Some real nuggets of wisdom in there!
Cheers.
Toby.
You're welcome, Toby. That's what this site is all about. Quid pro quo your way around here in return. That's how us budding amateurs try to suck less around here!
Good luck!
Regards, E.D.
LATEST NEWS CineVita Films is producing a short based on my new feature!
I went to one pitch thingie, with two scripts in mind. The first script, I tried summarizing one feature script in the few minutes provided. They stopped me and said I was doing it all wrong. They told me that, when pitching a script, you pitch the idea in such a way that they want to ask you questions.
The second script, I did just this. I though ideas at them and they started asking me questions. And we had a conversation about the story. They asked for a copy of the script, as well as a one-sheet (don't forget the one-sheet).
In the end, they weren't interested in either script, but I learned how to pitch.
Thanks to the tips you guys gave me, and to the help of the magnificent, ever-helpful Babz (seriously, Babz is one of the most helpful people I have ever met), the pitch went really well! The company liked the idea, and the characters, but unfortunately they believed the budget for it would be far higher than what they are currently looking to back.
One thing Babz told me, and which Phil also alluded to, was that the best type of pitches are the ones which are just like conversations: relaxed, with a lot of back-and-forth action between the two parties, which I definitely agree with (although I don't have a pitch which wasn't like this to compare it with...).
But during this conversation, the topic also ventured onto other projects I'm working on. They liked the sound of these, and invited me to send these over when I'm finished with them as well.
That's what made the conversation/ question aspect of the pitch so valuable, as I wouldn't have started spouting off about other projects I wasn't there to sell, had I not been asked about them.
Although I am far from the expert, if anyone does want to ask me anything about the pitching process, I would be happy to offer my limited expertise Shoot me a PM anytime.
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Experience With Pitching?
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