Screenwriting : I'm missing something about the art of Pitch by John Branagan

Hi, John Branagan. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know I moved your post from the Acting Lounge to the Screenwriting Lounge since it's about pitching. Let me know if you have any questions.

Congratulations on the great review! Reps, companies, producers, etc. pass on projects for different reasons, like budget.

It could be that their current talent is too close to your type or have similar projects, so they personally cannot take you on? Or it could be that they’re pursuing a different genre or tone at the moment. They may love the overall story, but they may not be sure if it’s something THEY’RE the right fit for.

Hey John, I say this respectfully, you will only ever truly understand that process, only WHEN that Rep. gives you their reasons WHY? Because the fact is John there are many reasons, be they financial, industry trends or temperature, timing, not meeting their company's brief/charter, it just goes on and on . All of this and more and that's without even getting into their own subjective reasons and preferred bias's

I’ve only been on here like two weeks, I don’t know much, so now that the disclaimer is out of the way… Like others have stated, there are many variables that could cause someone to pass on a project, even if the project is good. This is just me rambling and guessing, hopefully it’s semi helpful.

I submitted my first pitch the other day, waiting to hear back. So, initially, I saw the person was reading r rated comedies, etc. I was like perfect… this is exactly what I have. Then, after submitting my pitch… I started researching more and more in depth. The company they’re working for focuses more on r rated teen movies, maybe college, etc. My story, probably in my opinion, hits all the comic spots they’d be looking for, BUT… it’s not within their normal material due to it’s adults and adult situations. So what I’m getting at is, I’m expecting them to pass on it, even though I feel I have a super solid comedy, but I’m pitching to the wrong people.

I don’t know, I’m fully assuming, and I can’t say for sure, but just make sure you research in depth before submitting a pitch. If you did, great… maybe this little story will help someone else reading.

And sometimes they don't have funds. Or they have something else similar. Or they had another project that just came up.

The reason you'll never know. Better to move on and keep trying.

There can be a wide array of reasons. They already have a similar title, not what their clients are currently looking for at the moment, current market trends and so on. But the sands are always shifting and when one company is looking to do less of one genre, another may be looking to expand in that area. Its a business where sometimes you hear "no" a lot more than you hear "yes", but often you only need one "yes" to get things started. Take the positive feedback with you into your next meeting.

One of the boxes should be (but never is) "Is this concept easily marketable?" A lot of pitches check the boxes of "clear idea / high stakes" but the concept simply doesn't appeal to the masses.

I don't know if that's the case with your pitch, but I know it's the case with a lot of pitches I see.

John, I've been there, too.

This past July, I participated in Stage 32's Comedy Pitchfest; I sent Nikki Bohm a written pitch for a gangster spoof of mine, "Got Any More Bullets, Sister?"

Nikki really loved the pitch...in fact, she gave me perfect scores all around.

She passed on the project due to it being beyond the budget her production company wanted to work with.

So...I emailed success@stage32.com in search of a producer who's got the money to bring about "Bullets, Sister."

Pat Alexander found two candidates: Matt Sacca and Luke Kelly Clyne.

I went ahead and did research on both execs...and sent a written pitch to Luke earlier this month.

Won't be able to find out until at least next month if Luke likes "Bullets, Sister."

One thing I actually DO know: I'm glad you're here on Stage 32...and here's wishing you all the VERY BEST!

Here's something, and it's rarely discussed: many times the development execs, managers, and agents WILL NOT say anything negative to you about your script (TV or Film).

If they do they are fully aware that the word will get around and no one will pitch to them! Word of mouth can bring great success, and it can kill things fast (especially careers).

So it's better for them to say things like it's "one of kind", "it's unique", " it needs to be told", "it's actually great", AND, "it's not our brand", or "it's not in our wheelhouse", or "it's not right for us," or "the budget would be high."

What's a writer to do? Master storytelling and structure, master three to five genres, make sure it's commercial and marketable (as Michael David pointed out), make sure it's known what the stakes are in the story, who fights whom about what (conflict), and on and on. Enough of reading this, let's go break a leg!!

I've had that happen several times. Usually their comment is "I love it, I'd watch it, but it's not the kind of thing I do." Are there any hints towards that in their comments?

Hello @johnbranagan - My suggestion would be to take the win and keep moving forward. There are too many reasons a project might not be picked-up beyond your control: company finances, strict criteria for acquisitions, personal choices, etc. A bench of positive affirmations for your work and pitch is good justification to persevere - the heart and soul of this business. Best of luck in your endeavors.

Hey John - if it's any consolation, I pitched 2 weeks ago, and still haven't heard back hah! The wait is killing me, but it is what it is!

For me, a win is when an executive asks to read my screenplay. Then I know the pitch really worked despite the score and I get feedback on what really counts, the screenplay itself.

So many planets need to align for a studio to take on a project. It almost needs to be no brainer with prior success, all the rights, funding, politics and most importantly, need for a project.

In the meantime well done for getting your foot in the door and getting to pitch! I'm still working on that step.

@John It may be too expensive to make.