Quoted from Eoin Okay - just Googled Great American Pitchfest - didn't know that existed - just thought it was the title of your post! Have you been to any others, or was this your first?

Quoted from Eoin What pitch event did you attend and what type of scripts were being sought?

GAP was my first event of this kind.
InkTip is next month here in L.A.
Then Screenwriter's Expo follows in September.

PitchFest provides a directory of attending companies.
Part of that is a FAQ each company is asked to fill out.
It outlines the goals of each individual company.
And one of those questions was, "What scripts are you looking for?"
Pretty much every genre and marketing quadrant was covered in those answers.
Two things they had in common was: Fresh ideas & good storytelling.

The directory helped me form a strategy as to whom I wanted to pitch.
125 companies and I have time for roughly 20 pitches.
You need to maximize your chances, it's a real race against the clock.
Not to mention a great list of contacts eager for new talent you can use later.

E.D.

Thanks ED - I'm miles away from pitching yet - but all of that is very interesting and should come in handy when/if get to that stage.

Quoted from Eoin Thanks ED - I'm miles away from pitching yet - but all of that is very interesting and should come in handy when/if get to that stage.

The prep classes PitchFest offers are open to the public.
They're an invaluable resource.
They're also individual classes you can pay for a la carte.
The cost comes in if you want the contact info and opportunity to pitch.
It's also quite an experience hanging out in a bar with aspiring writers.
Quite worth the effort, there were many there to get a taste.
And these events happen in major cities across the country.
I met someone that attended an event in Washington, D.C.

E.D.

So Brett,

When you apporach a table, what are first exchanges like?  Do they get right to the point like,  "Describe the story in thirty seconds" "What are your character arcs?"  "Whats' the theme?"  "What are the plot points?"

Quoted from Ryan1 So Brett, When you apporach a table, what are first exchanges like?  Do they get right to the point like,  "Describe the story in thirty seconds" "What are your character arcs?"  "Whats' the theme?"  "What are the plot points?"

Ryan,

I took control of the pitch the moment I sat down.
I wanted to put the listener at ease.
I wanted to ensure them I would do all the work, let them relax and listen.
They wouldn't have to pry information out of me, like a social recluse.

So, I led with a planned non-script related prop joke that broke the ice.
They would laugh and/or smile 95% of the time.
It put both of us at ease, and it really helped me focus and gain confidence.

Then, I would slap that vibrant ZP leave behind on the table.
I moved onto describing ZP's genre and what "made it special".
They want to know why your idea stands out from the crowd.
How are you going to tell a familiar tale in a new way?
And I worked on putting that into one succinct sentence.
Then I used a boxoffice hit example to substantiate my claim.

To sum up, in 40 seconds I:

1) Led with a joke, which says I have some comic sense, at the very least.
2) Used a striking image to convey the overall appeal of my story
3) Gave them a clear previously unheard reason why my story is special.
4) Demonstrated marketing savvy to back up my special reason.

Those are all indicators to them what kind of person I am.
Which is all I'm trying to convey to them in those few minutes we have together.
Engage. Entice. Invite. Excite.

Main character arc and thematic inquiries were amongst the most asked.
They wanted to know the emotional journey of your hero.
Once I demonstrated market viability and freshness, that was the biggest concern.

I was very high energy and exuded enthusiasm at all times.
I offered most of them Altoids at one point or another.
And always be super gracious, regardless of their reactions.

Hope this helps.

E.D.

Brett, you are my new hero, and I mean that in a serious way!  Sounds like you fucking rocked the house and I'm so impressed.

Are we on for the radio show tonight, or what?

Quoted from Dreamscale Brett, you are my new hero, and I mean that in a serious way!  Sounds like you fucking rocked the house and I'm so impressed. Are we on for the radio show tonight, or what?

Wow, thanks Jeff. I look at it this way.
If I don't take my career that seriously, why is anyone else going to take me seriously?

If you and the crew want to organize a podcast, just send me a PM.
Off to see Super 8 this morning, I'm free this evening.

Regards,
E.D.

What this shows is that nobody here actually listens to the podcasts, otherwise they'd know all about that.

Great info, Brett! Sounds like a daunting but fantastic experience. So did anyone ask for you to send them the actual script, or is that not how it works? Did they ask what other concepts / scripts you had in your arsenal?

I can't do it tonight...big UFC card!!!

Perhaps we should wait until Johnny's internet is restored?
With the time difference for him, it's a chore enough as it is.
Just a thought.

E.D.

If it's all set up then I'll record it.  Just let me know when.  

Tentatively putting something together for tomorrow afternoon, but if people are around and it would be easier tonight then go for it.

EDIT: Just someone let me know so I know whether or not tompack my microphone when I head home tomorrow.

Well I couldn't do tonight because as I say I don't have Internet here, but I'll be home tomorrow so would be around to do it then. Brett's around both tonight and tomorrow...

Do we know if this is going to happen tonight?   Tomorrow's Monday here and usually I wouldn't be able to do tomorrow - but it's a three day weekend this weekend so I'll be home.   I won't be up particularly early though.

Okay, should we lock 10pm GMT tomorrow? That'd 5pm for Pia, 2pm for Brett...Michael, does that work for you?