Screenwriting : Are pitch decks and pitch bibles the same by Steven Gibson

Steven Gibson

Are pitch decks and pitch bibles the same

So I am asking this question, are pitch decks and pitch bibles the same, because I want to know, because I signed up for writing gigs on International Screenwriters Association

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Steven Gibson. A pitch deck and a show bible are different. A pitch deck and a show bible have some of the same information in them, but there are differences between a pitch deck and a show bible. A pitch deck is usually shorter and more visual. A show bible is usually longer and has more text/details.

Check out the "Adventure Time" pitch deck and the "Lost" show bible on this site to see how a pitch deck and a show bible are different: www.shorescripts.com/tv-series-bibles

Ashley Renee Smith

Steven Gibson, Maurice's explanation is a great one!

Stage 32 also has some wonderful education that can help you dive deeper and develop your own pitch material with clear instructions. Such as this great class on developing your pitch deck: https://www.stage32.com/classes/Stage-32-4-Part-Class-Pitch-Deck-Foundations-and-Pitching-Fundamentals

Or this fantastic webinar on writing Pitch Bibles: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Write-Your-Professional-Pitch-Bible

Steven Gibson

Could you please give me an example of a pitch deck

Maurice Vaughan

The "Adventure Time" pitch deck is on that site, Steven Gibson.

Steven Gibson

OK, but how long is a pitch deck?

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for the webinar recommendation, Ashley Renee Smith. I know how to write a show bible, but I could always learn more about them.

Maurice Vaughan

It depends, Steven Gibson. A pitch deck can be 7 pages, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, etc. I suggest keeping a pitch deck for a feature script 15 pages or less. A pitch deck for a TV show will usually be longer than a pitch deck for a feature script.

Steven Gibson

So does the pitch deck have any settings

Maurice Vaughan

What do you mean by settings, Steven Gibson. Locations?

Craig D Griffiths

For me, pitch deck supports my “sales pitch”. So I have images that support the points I want to make or an image I want people to hold as I talk to them.

Emily J

Hey Steven Gibson! Did you know we have OWAs here for Writers' Room members that you can submit to? These are from vetted industry companies (non-struck companies). We just added 6 new ones recently that you should check out and I would love for you to be able to submit to them!

If you (or anyone else seeing this comment) would like to submit to any of these OWAs, shoot me an email at success@stage32.com and I can provide you with a free month!

Here are the current Open Writing Assignments --

Industry manager looking for thrillers in the vein of Gone Girl, Get Out, Prisoners

Experienced manager looking for action features in the vein of Sicario, Kingsman, Extraction

Producer in search of adventure features in the vein of National Treasure, Uncharted, Jumanji

Producer looking for scifi features in the vein of Ex Macina, Chronicle, Safety Not Guaranteed

Producer is reading war features in the vein of Hacksaw Ridge, Devotion, Da 5 Bloods

Producer on the hunt for western features in the vein of Django Unchained, True Grit, News of the World

Marcel Nault Jr.

I think everyone covered it, but if it helps you in any way, your bible is essentially your "blueprint" for your movie or TV series or any type of visual storytelling you are willing to put forth for your readers.

The deck is essentially your way of "selling" the product if it makes sense.

Dan MaxXx

Dont wanna take money out of ppl's pockets who sell pitch decks & bibles to writers but it's pathetic to ask writers for pitchdecks, bibles, attachments, budgets. What the hell- are development execs, managers, reps too lazy to do work they supposed to do?

Does not make any sense to ask new writers (majority of members here are rookies, never hired by a corporation). Read the script. The other stuff comes later, much later

Dan Guardino

I agree with Dan M. I only had one producer ever ask me if I had a pitch deck and I laughed at him.

Ray Ghasemi

That was great Emily....

Maurice Vaughan

It would be great to get a script picked up just because of the script, Dan MaxXx, but a lot of times, writers need the extra stuff. I don't see it as all negative though. I also see it as the writers with the extra stuff have an advantage.

Richard "RB" Botto

Asking for a pitch deck for a feature? Rare. For a pilot/series? All day, every day.

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