by Shannonn Kelly

With our deadline for submissions coming to a close for our 2009 season, I thought I’d post a ‘Pitch Method" for your next ‘pitch fest’.  Try it and contact me here with your feedback.

Need an Award winning Pitch Method for Your Next Screenplay…?

Here’s a great one by Jason Butler, Writer / Director, Dublin City, IE

Here’s the Breakdown:

1. Start by introducing yourself, your role on the project (writer/director/producer/…) and any notables about yourself, your previous work, awards etc…
2. State the name of the project, the type of project and genre (horror feature film, dramatic short, comedy tv series etc…), and any other notables about it, e.g. based on a novel by x, being written by y, actor z attached etc…
3. Now give a short summary of the story or concept. This is like the log line. One sentence or two at most. It doesn’t have to encompass the whole story but should hook the audience and help them follow along with your story as you pitch it. This should be the idea that inspired you to make this film.
4. Introduce your main character(s). What it is that they want. And what’s wrong with them.
5. Now give a very quick run through of the plot hitting all the major beats, focusing on how they relate to your main character or how you character reacts to them. You may also introduce the antagonist here.
6. Wrap it up by describing the final huge obstacle facing the main character and then the build to how they’re going to get around it. Don’t try and hide things – if your story has a crucial twist, you’ve got to tell what it is or they’ll think you don’t know what it is yet. End on a happy note or a tragic one.
7. Invite questions.
8. Remember to make good eye contact throughout the pitch. Don’t read from notes. You’ve got to sell your story not just tell it, so don’t get hung up on details.
9. Keep your hands moving, use your whole body to pitch.
10. Your job is to get the people you are pitching to interested enough in your project to read the script.
11. Keep your language clear and concise, it’s not prose or poetry, it’s communication.
12. Your whole pitch should fit on one page. If you can get it down to 3/4 or 1/2 a page even better.

Always leave them wanting to know more, don’t bore them.