Hello!
Apologizing for the length...
I am posting this for others who have written about pitching and/or are hesitant to pitch on Stage32 platform. However, please note that I did this for MY own research/data mining which has a component to my strategic planning. I realize that other people have their own way of doing things, their own reasons, and own approach. So if you’re apt to comment, I am requesting like Donald Sutherland's character in Kelly’s Heroes “Don’t hit me with those negative waves...”
After having experience in research/stats in another field, I decided to do something similar in a quantitative/qualitative information gathering for myself.
OVERALL TAKE AWAYS from my 30 day experiment: PROS: I have learned which script(s) are front runners and/or what needs to be worked on (when I get the same notes from more than 2 people who's perspective and background I feel is relevant, I listen closely, both positive and negative). I have polished my fast pitch after 3 decades of not playing, I have met several wonderful people and I will consider pitching to some again. I feel more confident with my skills. It was super fun. I will now adjust my overall strategic plan accordingly. CONS: There's a cost. Which is also a PRO. There's a cost of time, money and energy driving around the city to pitch. So I'm OK with this. In fact, I'm realllly grateful.
Wanting to get a wide demographic, I pitched 5 screenplays, 12 times to 11 execs/producers and managers, (1 person was 2x). They were different genders, ethnic backgrounds, ages, and either from the US (10)or UK (2). Mostly were verbal, 2 were written.My “score” was a close average of the numerical sheet they return.
Here are my results listed by project:1) ROM COM/FAMILY
a. Verbal. 96% score Result: PASS
Take away: liked the producer enough to pitch another script, wonderful notes, good connection, we found out we knew someone in common
2) FEMALE DRIVEN COMEDY
a. Written. 94% score PASS
b. Verbal. 78% PASS (2nd pitch to the same producer)
c. Verbal Producer WAITING ON RESPONSE
Take away: there was the same note from both responders. This caused me to rethink and add a scene to flush out a character more. I then pitched it to a producer (outside of Stage32) and it was REQUESTED.
3) DRAMA/SUSPENSE:
a. Verbal pitch to Manager. Score 74% REQUESTED
b. Verbal pitch to Exec Score 94% REQUESTED
c. Written to Manager WAITING ON RESPONSE
Take away: This is my script being shopped already. Ironically, it was the one I posted here for feedback and received some negative and harsh responses on my logline. I pitched it here in attempt to grab a manager or connect the present producer to the exec.
4) ACTION /THRILLER
a. Verbal pitch to Exec. Score 82% PASS
b. Verbal pitch to Producer 92% PASS
c. Verbal Pitch to Producer 72% PASS
d. Verbal pitch to Producer 72% PASS
Take away: This was my most commercially appealing script in my opinion. HOWEVER, no one liked it. LOL. I will consider to re-pitching to 3 out of the 4 execs (One was not my cup of tea) with other scripts. The notes were very positive to me personally with my pitch "style. "
5) ELEVATED HORROR COMEDY
a. Verbal pitch, Producer. Stayed overtime. Score 90% REQUESTED DURING PITCH
Take away: Great notes given, wonderful connection between us. Will pitch again in this genre if I have another. NOTE: I pitched this as a SHORT and informed the exec that I wanted his opinion if this should be made into a feature because of his expertise.
HOPE ALL THIS HELPS/GIVES INSIGHTS FOR SOME OF YOU
THANK YOU STAGE32 for making these services available to us. I can't tell you how much I appreciate having a choice to go straight to pitch instead of the schlep in LA.
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Thank you for sharing and my experience has been with written pitches and the results are similar to yours. All of the people I pitched to were gracious and provided good feedback.
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Thankyou for posting this. This makes total sense to me. We have to pitch and pitch until we find that one person who says YES, EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR AND I NEVER KNWE IT!
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Asmaa Jamil You bet! I'm glad you've had nice experiences as well.
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D A Stenard Yes, my thoughts exactly!
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Mike Childress regarding to verbal/written...actually not sure yet? I think my personality shines though in verbal, but then again I can get more of the story out when written. Je ne sais pas. I will do another look see at the data in a few months and see what comes of this :)
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Susan Kelejian THANK YOU SO MUCH for this data! I love your approach to this as data points and a way to refine your work. The fellow data need in me is giddy with excitement and has me planning my own pitch. Based on your research, what would you recommend to someone pitching for the first time?
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Congratulations on the high scores and requests, Susan Kelejian! I plan on doing more Pitch Sessions, and I might make a research/data mining chart. Thanks for the idea.
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Rachel Troche Well, good question! I cant say Im an expert BUT... quite possibly start with a written pitch unless you are very comfortable in interviewing/auditioning. Plus, I think theres a practice pitch session that RB is giving this week. That would be an excellent place to start. I also have done a lot of work on myself and I don't attch to outcomes, I consider the source, dont take things too personally (Ive really worked at this one). So what works for me might not work for you due to personality and experience. I look forward to pitching and am not nervous. (40 years of actor auditioning). So...the question is...are you comfortable with the actual meeting these people? (and you can DM me if need be)
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Maurice Vaughan thank you. I look forward to seeing your chart if you do!
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You're welcome, Susan Kelejian.
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Wait, you get a score? Oh god, it feels like school all over again haha! I'm definitely feeling positive about pitch decks/written, but I think I may fail verbal because sometimes my memory isn't so good - so if I'm trying to describe something, there may be a word literally on the tip of my tongue but just won't work in my favour :(
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Thanks Susan - really interesting. I noticed when I did a written pitch I would score high but always get a pass - so just tend to do verbal pitches - though I have also been giving VPF a go which is only written!
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Emmy McKee yes, there's areas where there's a check mark from 1-5. I did my best at figuring out what a total score would be. That's why the practice is needed for verbal. Like, there were a few notes that I feel were in my script, but not in my pitch. Verbally pitching feels like it's own art form!
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Dan MaxXx they have discounts when you sign up on Friday BTW. And so what? As I said, this convenience is worth it to ME. And since I have 3 requested out of 10 so far, that would make it higher than 10% I believe.
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Well Susan Kelejian you have followed through as promised with your very detailed analysis. An excellent read, I love your approach. 3 requested out of 10 are very good odds imo. Well not odds of success, obviously it is moreover the merits of script/writer. Well done on doing a breakdown of your scripts also. I like the idea of seeing which are the most commercially viable to tastes at present, very clever!
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Sarah Jane Mc Carthy right? So interesting in regards to what's trending. But then again, it's not the genre per se, it's my stories. I think Action/Thrillers are hot, just not that particular one, LOL. And I can also include the one other (COMEDY) which from the execs notes, did get requested outside stage32, so that 4 REQUESTS out of 10 so far. Worst case will be 4 out of 12. Still much higher than 10% by any calculation. Let me know how you did when you find out please! Rooting for you.
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Thanks Susan Kelejian (^^,)
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This is incredible feedback Susan Kelejian! Thank you so much for taking the time to type all of that out. It's a little hard to say which is better (verbal vs written) and I've always felt that there would be some piece of information left out if written. Still super interesting.
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Leonardo Ramirez You bet. Glad it can be helpful to you. :)
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CONGRATULATIONS!!! And love the amazing feedback as well.
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This sounds like it night have cost. How much?
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Mark Deuce Thank you, yes all the feedback, regardless of "scores" has been positive and constructive.
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This is an excellent analysis of your feedback. This is the sort of record keeping and note keeping that really helps writers make educated choices. Well done!
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As a senior on fixed income, even this is too much for me. Maybe ,next life! But thank you. VERY interesting.
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Jed Power I totally understand your position (which is why I cant retire any time soon) and moving forward I will be more selective, though the survey isnt completed until after the 3 month average so I can see if anyone who requested the script(s) are interested further.
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Very interesting Susan. Your plan was, and is a good plan! Research, research and, you got it... RESEARCH!!! Hope the rest of the results are also great! I mean great in a sence that they give you superior info that will make your scripts even better. About: "Ironically, it was the one I posted here for feedback and received some negative and harsh responses on my logline." Writing a great screenplay is one thing, but writing a solid logline is an entirely different beast. It ALSO takes lots of practice. Still, we all think we have a monopoly on wisdom, including me -haha.
About 'learning' to write loglines. You get out of it what time you put in. I mean I practically camped on www.logline.it to learn to write loglines (althouhh some are still shitty, ok, probably most are--?haha?)
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Fantastic. Great to hear of your experience. Bravo Susan Kelejian !
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This is great to analyze as a pitching writer, you always want to know where you are going with your pitching skills, I always encourage writers to also take a look at how other execs can benefit their pitching and writing skills!