I've been trying to pitch a new script. I've gone outside my comfort zone and tried something smaller. A straight drama dealing with university students and some of the stages they have to cross. The first two pitches all got a pass but were very positive and helpful in ways to make the next pitch better. I also, just out of curiosity, entered it in a few festivals.
One the same day I was notified of a win at the London Movie Awards I got a pass from a producer. It was the lowest score for any pitch I've ever done, 15 points out of 35, but the feedback was very flat. They had some dificulty following the plot, OK, I'll look at that, but the real reason for passing has me thinking.
They wrote "Unfortunately, what makes this feel unique and original is also what makes it very tough to sell. It's super niche, so if you can perhaps find the secret sauce that helps make this tale more commercially viable (for a broader audience), you may find a lot more hands raised! Good luck!"
It's not a comicbook movie, a reboot, or a money driven sequel. Considering my personal opinion of the stuff coming out today, part of me wants to take that as compliment. I'll stick with my "unique" and "original" script and keep pitching.
Good luck..
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This is the one where the students have a tough time and learn from the greatest story ever told. Will you stay outside your comfort zone or return to what you've done before this project?
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At this point the script is finished and ready fir anyone to read. I haven't decided what the next script will be. Had an idea for a short film that I started a few months ago. I may go back inside the comfort zone to finish it.
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Ahh I feel this so much, as someone who specialises in niche stuff. I'd take it as a compliment personally even if it isn't what you hoped to hear.
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That's a good pass... I'll tke that pass.
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I'd look at that note as not them wanting it to be more commercial in a "comicbook movie" sense but rather they want it to be more relatable to audiences. If the reader is having difficulty putting themselves in the shoes of your characters then it will be easy for them to lose the plot along the way too. Just thought I'd throw this take out there.
Happy writing!
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Even though it's a pass right now, it seems like your on the right track. Good luck with everything!
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I think it's a small sample size to know where you're at, Bill. And if you target Exec's with your common interests, necessarily, there will still be some who still don't get it. Just fact. Keep going, and best of luck!
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I think Nathan has a point. I think you're making the mistake of thinking too much in black and white; what I would do is "stick with my "unique" and "original" script" AND tweak it so that a bigger audience gets it -- all without losing the essence of your sctipt. If this somehow doesn't work (after you tried) , then stick to what you have.
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Someone had to be thinking the same thing with the Holdovers script, dumb this down to be commercial. What a mistake. Leave your script alone. It's already perfectly you. Watch Rick Beato's interview with Tori Amos. She exudes regret that the Music Producers demanded she change to be what they wanted and never had success until she went ahead doing exactly what she wanted. She went back to piano bar because she would not do it their way so in the end she did it her way. It only takes one Producer who gets it, as is.
Personally mine are this way too and I haven't met an insider yet who gets my scripts but I'm not changing them into something I hate.
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Don’t you hate when somebody who clearly couldn’t care less says “good luck” lol.
Nobody knows what works until it does. Then they do it to death until everyone hates it. There really isn’t anything “safe”
The Hollywood translation for “this is great but it’s tough to sell/too niche” means I don’t want to put in the energy to package this because I have bills to pay. But if it does sell I don’t wanna be the asshole in their success story that said they passed if it does sell. So I’m just gonna say it’s tough to sell.
as stated up top, find producers with your common interests and who are excited about the project. Because it takes a lot of work
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Cameron Tendaji and of course an impossible amount of luck
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Turn your best idea into a comic book.