Producing : AMA - Ask Me Anything About Pitching to Studios 11/11/2022 - 11/12/2022 by Brandon Blake

Thanks for doing an AMA, Brandon Blake! I'm going to check out this blog, then swing back around with a question.

Great blog post and advice, Brandon Blake! Thanks for sharing. And congratulations on bringing Keanu Reeves on board a project!

Question: What should a writer have when they're pitching an unscripted show (since there's no script)?

Hi Brandon, my name is Cee and I am the creator of VawWorld's full-length film project, "Ryder & The Deer Guardians". How do I get a producer interested in working with me on a first-time film?

Thanks Mauricce for the question: When it comes to unscripted, the pitch deck is the most important part, and second if you can put together a sizzle reel it will go a long way. Reality TV basically has to be more developed than scripted TV, and that will also then set you apart from the mass of people out there with nothing more than an idea.

Cee, I appreciate the question. That is a tricky question, because obviously it is not hard at all to get a producer interested in your film project. There are thousands of producers right here on Stage32 that would probably be interested. However, I think what you are asking is how do you get a well-known producer interested, or perhaps, how do you get a well-known producer who also has investors standing by to fully finance your film. That is obviously a lot harder to find! The question is really, what can you bring to a producer that adds value? Do you have an idea? Do you have a script? Do you have an award-winning script and a cast member? Can you bring part of the financing? The more value you can add, the more likely a major production company could take interest. The other question is how many rights are you willing to give up to the producer? Are you selling the script? What about optioning for $1? Or are you looking to stay involved? These are all questions that go into figuring out if there is a producer out there who you want to work with and who wants to work with you.

Hey Brandon, what's the word on the street on podcasts as the new IP? Specially, true crime that could convert to limited narrative TV series or film?

Thanks!

Jeff

You're welcome, Brandon Blake. Thanks for the answer. I have pitch decks for my virtual game show and my reality show, but I don't have sizzle reels. That's my next step after hearing your answer.

Very interesting responses, especially around unscripted reality TV as, like Maurice, I have a Pitch Deck but not a Sizzle Reel, so I will turn my thoughts to putting one of those together.

With regards CEE's question/reply. When pitching to a published Gig, whether here through the writer's room, INKTIP or ISA, should I add elements such as the Option Price of $1, willingness to stay involved, work on rewrites with the team and so on in the additional comments section. I cannot think of another way of ensuring the Producers know my willingness to be part of and work with the team to see the best version of the script be made.

Simon, Hmm, well I can see you are willing to work with producers and be flexible, so that is good. But you probably should keep some of those things to yourself, in terms of negotiating points, so you can make the best deal for yourself. Thanks for the questions.

Save the offer of my first born for the face to face, gotcha. Thanks for replying, really appreciate it.

Jeff, Thanks for the question. Podcasts got popular because they seem like a middle ground, not just a pitch deck, but not as expensive and time consuming as a pilot. However, as the production value and talent level has increased on podcasts, that becomes less relevant. If you have heard some of the production value of podcasts now, they have full casts, sound effects, editing, which doesn't come cheap. There is also the question of audience. If you have millions of listeners, or score a major hosted show, then of course that looks great. But if you put together a podcast in your home studio with two or three voices and then self publish or put it on your website, how much is that really advancing the project beyond a pitch deck? The question about development materials is always whether you can do it really well. A really good podcast, especially if it has a demonstratable audience, can be a great underlying material. But if you have to ask the execs to "imagine" what you could do with more money, a professional cast, and distribution, then don't do it. You need to focus on what you can deliver at a high-quality level.

Will studios ever consider producing a feature based solely on a Synopsis and a story? Assume the synopsis and story are pitched clearly and make a very good impact.

Amman, Thanks for following up. If you are Tom Hanks and walk into a studio with a synopsis and a story, then sure. Likewise, if you are at the center of an internationally known true-life event, again, a studio will probably take note. If you are hoping to come in with no track record of successful films, and without the ownership of any known underlying property, and without any name recognition, then no, because you are not bringing any value to the studio.