How to Pitch Like a Pro!

At last - a post about how to pitch!

Pitching is presenting your script’s concept to someone in a position to help you. This might be a producer, director, manager, agent, or even high-profile actor.

You should be able to pitch in a very, very short period of time. Granted, if you get an actual meeting with a production company, you can discuss all elements of your script… but most of the time, you’ll need to get people’s attention ASAP (think pitch-fests, being introduced to an industry contact at a party, etc.) You want to be able to present your idea in under a minute – and, ideally, in just one line. (Referring back to an earlier post, most production companies want ideas that are ‘high-concept,’ and one criteria of high-concept is that you’re able to see the entire movie in just one line.)

I have some background with sales, so for me, pitching is just applying sales skills to a conversation with an industry professional. This means describing your product in a way that shows them why it is valuable.

I’ve had a great amount of success with pitching thus far – everyone I’ve ever pitched to has requested to read my scripts. Now, it’s time to pass that knowledge on to you! Below, I’ve listed out my basic guidelines for what you should do:

1. Know how much time you have and work with it. If you’re going to a pitch fest, they’ll tell you in advance how many minutes you have. However many it is, try to leave one or two (at least!) at the end for answering questions about your idea and exchanging contact info. At a pitch fest, when you’re out of time, you’re out of time, and if you don’t have their contact info, it was a waste.

2. Say the genre FIRST. I’ve heard this complaint a jillion times from people in the industry: a writer will launch into their pitch without telling the genre. Since you’re very involved with your script, it’s obvious to you if it’s comedy, drama, horror, or what-have-you. Not so for someone who is unfamiliar with your work. Nowadays, there’s lots of darkly humorous dramas, or serious storylines that are still considered comedies because of how witty the writing is. In fact, having a unique spin on what makes a ‘comedy,’ or any other type of movie, might just make your idea interesting enough for professionals to request. Do everyone, especially yourself, a favor by telling the genre first.

3. Open with your one-liner. Right after you sit down, say “My script, (insert title), is a (insert genre),” and give them your one-liner. Ideally, this one line should show off your high-concept idea and make them see the entire movie. It should be as interesting a hook as possible so you win them over for the rest of the meeting.

4. If time allows, summarize the story. Once all this is done, do you still have any time? If this was a chance introduction at a party, then you don’t – unless your audience is so fascinated they keep asking for more info. If it’s a pitch-fest, you have just a few minutes – enough time to give a very short synopsis of your story. I repeat, VERY SHORT. It’s not the time to get into a scene-by-scene breakdown. Instead, you just hit a few key points that tell the story, again making it all as juicy as can be.

5. Giving the ending – gauge what they want. Some people will tell you to never give the ending, since curiosity will make people request the script. Others say always give the ending because the person you’re pitching to can’t judge what they think about your story without it. I say, pitch without giving the ending – but then gauge whether or not they want it. Figuring this out doesn’t take a mind-reader: end your pitch at the end of your second act by saying something like “And then things really get interesting,” or “Which brings us into our final showdown.” You get the idea. End with a cliff-hanger. If they say, “Wow, I’d love to read it,” you’re done. Otherwise, they might ask what happens. If they do ask, tell them! You may feel like if they want the milk they have to buy the cow, but really, refusing to share the end will make you look uncooperative and will make them unsure about whether or not the whole story lives up to the great first two acts you pitched.

6. The obvious. Public speaking is harder for some than others and pitching is, in essence, a presentation. But practice. Have people you trust watch your pitch. You want to make eye contact, cut out the ‘umms’ and the stutters, use animated language and tone of voice, and be sure to move around a bit. I don’t mean flail your arms wildly, but show how exciting this idea is by, well, being excited – and excited people don’t sit perfectly still with stiff arms by their sides. Use your body language! Lean in, gesture, be enthusiastic!

I hope this helps you! If you have any other advice on pitching or have had an experience with pitching (good or bad) then please share what you’ve learned in the comments!