Are "mini movie poster" type one sheets still expected/accepted when pitching (especially in a pitchfest type setting) or are producers wanting just a simple LL/Synops/Contact info on plain white paper? I am in the middle of a debate with another writer who says he has been told by producers that they don;t want to see the movie poster unless you have talent attached.
Screenwriting : One sheet debate by Tracee Beebe
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I feel the total opposite. By the time producers leave a pitchfest, they have an armful of one sheets. It's nice if they can easily pick yours from the pile. If you have artwork that defines your project, use it. The idea is to make an impression and leave them with an image that will bring your project to mind when they see it. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and it's true. It's why we're in the movie industry.
That has always been my thought Mark. As long as it is quality artwork and doesn't look like something a kid made on Photoshop, it helps represent the story and helps you stand out from the crowd.
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I'd prefer to have it and not need it, rather than need it and not have it.
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A slew of my clients just attended the Hollywood Pitch Fest put on by Fade In, and, all around, the ones who showed up with one-sheets seem to get significantly better responses, and feel more prepared to boot. If you do include art, make sure it's sleek and professional. If what you have looks like it's been put together on Word, leave it at home. Producers collect one sheets on the material that sounds appealing to them mostly so that they can go back to their office on Monday, sift through the material and identify what they actually want to read. A strong, clear one sheet is a great tool for anyone attending these events.
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Lee, I tend to agree with everything you just said. I was surprised to read Fade In's FAQ where they actually suggested NOT bringing a one sheet. They also said not to bring business cards, which I agree with fully.
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I was actually quite surprised to see that they weren't advocating one sheets. One of my clients went on Saturday without a one sheet (as they suggested), felt at a total disadvantage, then created a one sheet on Saturday night and went back on Sunday, to MUCH better results.
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I was as well, Lee. And I agree, after hearing so many pitches, any reminder come Monday can only prove to be beneficial.
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The "pitchees" have one thought when hearing a pitch. It is "can we sell that?" Therefore, the pitcher, keeping that singular need in mind, should present anything that enhances that objective, remembering, however, that the personal presentation provides the greatest impact.
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great for a fest, not great for a first impression via snail mail and to be honest, impractical for the writer. my nickel's worth.
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Having been to a few pitchfests, I knew I was truly in the game not when someone asked for my one-sheet, but when the producer/manager, etc. gave me their business card to send on my material.
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Beyond that, I think something simple - straight and to the point - with contact info works just fine!
I was lucky in that the screenplay I was pitching was adapted from a novel and I had already acquired a cover, which was an ideal image for what I was doing.
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Hey Lyse. Well, I think business cards that just say "Writer" or "Screenwriter" are overkill. If you're pitching, you're a writer. And if you're submitting a one-sheet, of course, all your info should be on the page.
I have to admit though, Lyse, sometimes there is so much "noise" regarding do's and dont's that we forget the most basic priority: Write a great script and learn how to pitch it effectively.
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I agree, RB. I'm concerned at how much time is being spent on formulaic issues. Write the G**D***script! Then pitch it to folks who are waiting eagerly for something of value..
Lyse, it sounds like you've never been to a pitchfest. First, your great script never comes into play because no one is there to read it. You have about three minutes to convince someone your project is worth a second look. All you have is your verbal pitch and one sheet. Both better be as good as you can make them. And if you are not a dynamic speaker, that one sheet better make up for it. Getting someone to request your great screenplay is the name of the game, and poo pooing one of your only two tools to get that request probably isn't a good idea. No one will know how great your script is until you can convince someone who matters to read it.