So your script/ screenplay is complete. Now it's time to pitch your material. You're a great speaker, with a great personality, and you feel you are ready. But are you a good business person? The first step to pitch development is brainstorming. Here are 7 questions you need to ask to properly prepare for your Pitch Meeting:
1. Do I want to sell my material, or would I like to help develop this project and see it through to the end?
2. Who would I like to help produce this project?
3. Will I need investors, or should I crowdfund? Remember, doing both is an option.
4. Are there any actors you favor and feel would be great for the role?
5. Estimate Costs overall, but do not create a full budget just yet.
6. Do you want to play a more crucial role in production, or do you just want to be in the background and let people work their magic?
7. Schedule Table Reads or allow 3 to 20 trusted experts who love watching movies, sitcoms, reading novels, etc., to give you the consumer perspective.
(Note: Always have an NDA and send material through safe portals that give a limited time for viewing and that do not allow the reviewer to copy the written material)
And when you have answered all of these questions, you are ready to pitch your project...ummmmm not really. Next, you need to develop a pitch deck. Never give your screenplay or script to anyone. That's the first mistake many make that lets a potential Investor or Interested Producer know you are high risk, and perhaps they either need to wait until you find a good business partner to help you, or they will negotiate higher returns for themselves because they will have to put in extra work beyond their role to make the project happen.
Be on the lookout for part 2 - Pitch Deck Development!
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Great list Dana Carter. Thanks so much for sharing this. What do you think is the ratio of producers open to partnering in the process vs outright purchase? Totally agree on having a pitch deck ready. I have this along with a one-sheet for the projects I'm willing to sell.
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Great foundation here and the seven questions are genuinely useful for any writer stepping into pitch territory for the first time. The point about never leading with your screenplay is one of the most important and most overlooked pieces of advice in the business — a pitch deck shows you understand how the industry works, and that alone changes how a buyer sees you before a single word of your script is discussed.
One thing worth adding to the conversation: the answers to those seven questions also shape which executives you approach and how. Knowing whether you want to sell outright or stay attached as a producer dramatically changes your target list and your pitch strategy. The Stage 32 Success Team at success@stage32.com helps writers think through exactly this kind of preparation — reach out if you want a second set of eyes before you start knocking on doors.
Looking forward to Part 2.
Leonardo Ramirez Hmmmmm, a ratio would be pretty hard to predict, but I can tell you connecting to a resourceful producer is the better option. A producer knows what they want as soon as they see the project. If they feel the returns will be high, they will utilize connections writers usually do not have unless they have been in the business more than 10 years with solid relationships. The real focus in the world of film is outcomes. What kind of fiscal and visible wave will the project make? Producers usually have a better handle on the market.
Finding money is hard. First, there are the different kinds of scammers, some trying to get access to any new ideas to produce on their own, others making empty promises of angel investments only if you make some sort of down payment. I stopped utilizing LinkedIn and other online sources for Angel Investors. It was a headache and painful experiences, because most are front men for someone who most likely has an ankle monitor, or they are just outright lying for the sake of status and scamming. The most effective source is going to the credits of any movie, sitcom, etc. Wait for the credits and look for the Executive Producers. Those are usually your money people. Investors, whether it's a loan company, venture capital organization, or anything, love the idea of being listed as an Executive Producer. That's always a win when you offer a way to show they made a financial contribution to the project.
When you just want to move forward without any problems and make it happen, crowdfunding is the best option. Crowdfunding campaigns can become huge community projects where everyone feels a part of a team that made something great happen. Crowdfunding methods are creative and unlimited. You can do so many things with a crowdfunding campaign and make new connections on various levels at the same time.
Geoffroy Faugerolas Thanks for your contribution to the post. The truth is, most writers do need help. Pitching requires a certain amount of skills and experiences that most writers just do not have. There were times I connected writers to investors, and I knew right away I would have to have several prep sessions to get the writer in a different mental disposition. Investors can love the material, but if your personality irritates them or you lack business knowledge, like who's going to do the distribution and marketing, they will not bite. If the meeting irritates them, they will not bite. Active listening and understanding what the investor is after overall is key. I will definitely hold on to your email and give it to those who need assistance.
Part 2: Pitch Development has been completed https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/The-Business-Of-Screenwriti...
“Never give your screenplay to anyone” - I Disagree, but be very selective to whom you trust to see it. And be ready to answer the question: “Who else has seen this” that’s another reason competitions are not a great idea. If you tell someone it’s been in many competitions or many companies have seen it they are unlikely to touch it with a barge pole.
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There is a lot to learn and it takes years. The first time I wrote a fully detailed movie synopsis it took me two weeks and was still too long. These days I write one - fully detailed in an hour or three. Then there’s genres to learn, ONE SHEETS, Beat Sheets and all the other stuff.
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Thanks Dana Carter for your information, it is helpful for me. As I stated in my Bio., I am not a writer. My profession was the medical field, but I was inspired by coworkers and family members to write my life's story, (Historic Faith Based, Family Drama). I first edited many times, then registered with the Writers Guild of America, copyrighted and consulted an entertainment attorney. I have many favorable responses, (2 Double Recommends, and First Place Writer and Screenplay in a Christian Film Festival. What I don't understand is how can ratings be so far apart? Example, I can receive 4-5 (5's) by one executive, and 1-2 (2's) by another executive for the same categories. Should I edit more or go with what I have. I just want to sell the story, I don't want to co-partner; even though I did make a list of names who I would like to see portray each character. Am I on the right track? I will read part 2. Again Thanks
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David Taylor Let me share some perspective. In the industry, people aren't always who they say they are. Some known great writers, directors, etc., are not so great. They have access to ghost writers and often use people in the hood and in places they have never been to secure material they cannot write without experience. This is the covert underground side of the industry. To "keep appearances," they often have a fake contest or have a "Free" meeting to get access to new material. Sometimes, they take a piece of each material they have been given and build a new story. If you plan on low-balling your projects, show it to everyone. If one wants to be in certain circles, taken seriously, and seen beyond the role of a writer, keep a little mystery; it goes a long way. My information is based on knowledge and experience and not just an opinion.
David Taylor Hmmmmmmm, so I take it you are a person who allows ideas to stew a bit, and when you are ready to write, it doesn't take long, because it just flows out of you. The timing you mentioned is pretty. Most writers, just to make a pitch deck or develop ideas for the pitch deck, take at least 2 weeks to a month.
E. Nadine Thaxton-Tensley, your project sounds awesome. For legal purposes, I'm not providing consultation, but sharing an opinion you do not have to follow. Ratings are far apart because people are very different from one another. Remember, while the guild and various writer agencies are a body of people, they are still individuals. If I'm looking to make the latest horror film or feel the industry is dull and needs some excitement, I may not think a Christian film is good for right now. Rating consists of so many factors, and that includes a person just being moody. Take in the feedback. Measure what the industry says and measure what the public thinks because it's the public who still goes out and sees movies, usually on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Don't always think it's race. You have to consider the political climate, what issues or topics could be potentially controversial, etc. You got feedback, but how do you feel about the material? In your heart, is it good? If that's a yes, then start looking at the Christian movies that have done well. Do a little digging. You have to imagine what kind of production you want. Reach out to those Directors and Producers of those successful Christian Films. Go to the credits and see what churches are attached to them. Ministers like T.D. Jake is always looking for a good film to produce. Since they have done it so many times, they can help you get the actors and the full team you want. The more people you work with that has resources, the less work you will have to do, especially since this is your first one. Pray to surround yourself by people who will help guide and not control the project, and you'll see it flow in the right direction.
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Thanks Dana Carter for your input, it's quite informative.
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Dana Carter hi. How lovely to get a reply. I wasn’t talking about a pitch deck - I’m not sure if there is a consensus of what one actually is. The assembly of stuff needed to support a script does take a while. And while I’m on the subject, most synopsis I read aren’t synopsis but get titled as such. Very interesting what you said about ghost writers and cherry pickers - I believe in honesty and admire honesty in others., it’s a diminishing quality these days. Yes. I think about stories for quite a while before I tackle them. I have a current one - TV Series - which began as heavy research and an idea in 2006, then a draft book manuscript.. Almost ready with the TV pilot.THE FINAL WARNING. There’s a logline for it on here somewhere I put on a couple of days ago. .
David Taylor I was refocusing the topic when I mentioned a pitch deck, but I knew what you were saying. Working on a project since 2006. It has no other choice but to be awesome. Hmmmmm, make that make me think what was George Lucas process for Star Wars? That's when you know a person truly loves what they do. They remain faithful to the project no matter what.
Dana Carter THE FINAL WARNING is the ultimate story. It’s set in the first century, the present and is about the future —
. Jannah ‘Jenny’ Amari and Guy Benson’s University love blossoms, but an old man, John, has battled evil in Roman times. When the 1st and the 21st Centuries collide; with visions, marital betrayal and ancient demons, Jenny and Guy go to war - against each other.
I had to live on Patmos for a while to write it.
David Taylor Oh this is the kind of story I love. Hmmmmmmm, what do you plan to do with this? A book series or a film works either way.
Dana Carter hi Dana, THE FINAL WARNING is too big a story for a movie. It’s is already a draft book manuscript which was specifically written to ‘lay down’ the story. That draft book is series one. Other series follow and have been pencilled. I’m completing the TV pilot episode now, but have decisions to make - all good. I have a One-Sheet I don’t like yet and a rather oddly styled full synopsis which splits it into the first and twenty-first century. A key issue is to balance the story of the first century with the drama of the twenty-first. The first century is true and stunning but the twenty first starts more slowly - by necessity - it is fiction but metaphorically is not. There is a massive secret behind it all which cannot be disclosed until after series one is filmed and complete because as the title says it’s a FINAL WARNING.
PS - I’m done with book publishing, I had a contract for eight of my books, (3 action, 5 scifi) the first was published and weeks later, despite years of editing etc, the deal collapsed because the publisher went bust. I have written another three books since then but don’t pitch them - instead like FW they are in a queue I will adapt for movie/TV and pitch alongside my movie scripts. For movies my screenplay got through development to within one week of shooting before tax laws changed and that project collapsed after three years of effort. Que sera sera. I’m still writing.
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Good list. Question 1 matters most. Sell or stay attached? That changes every other answer. Don't hand over the script without a conversation first.
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David Taylor That's all fricken amazing. Please keep all of us posted so we can tune in.
Sam Rivera You know we all struggle with attachments, but man, some people assume they want to go one direction when they are not ready to let go. Artists, in general, are sensitive people. As long as I know I can part from the material, I know what direction I need to take. However, if it's a unique project and I know I want a certain outcome, I take the lead on it, because things are done the way I want them and when I want them. Sometimes I let my Type A personality run with the wind. LOL