As your career grows and blossoms and doors begin to open in BIG ways, it’s important to get your pitches down for those BIG meetings.
Recently I have been getting into some very impressive rooms, it is so exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. Before I enter those doors I practice my pitches over and over to make sure I don’t falter in the meeting. I am so passionate about the projects that I create and I want to make sure I convey the importance of what I am doing to the one who is listening. I must sell my project to them vividly and vivaciously in order to entice them to come on board.
I always say the title of my film followed by two successful films that are a cross between my script. For instance, my upcoming film is entitled “Switched” it’s a mix between Mean Girls and Freaky Friday. It’s important to create a strong visual while pitching your script or movie to someone. Key art is a professional poster that gives a very clear picture of what your movie is about. Your pitch must do the same, it’s your verbal poster giving a clear description through words of the visual they must be able to see in their head.
It’s also important for you to know the genre of your film. When I ask a filmmaker this question and they ponder for a moment, I always say: you have to know your film better than anyone else, and if you’re faltering on which genre your movie fits into, then you need to go back to the drawing board.
I am a huge fan of the screenwriting book “Save the Cat.” I follow it religiously for my scripts. I never even start the beat sheet till I have the logline locked and loaded. I must have my elevator pitch down pat before I can move onto the beat sheet and then the outline. This must come before writing the words “fade in” on my blank page.
If you are going into a pitch meeting with a partner, I suggest you practice your pitches out loud together. Practice makes perfect. Be sure to discuss with your partners who will say what in the meeting so you’re not stepping on each others words or interrupting each other. It’s good practice to practice.
You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. So make sure to have all your ducks in a row, your pitches ready, materials perfected and professional, and your confidence blazing.