Your next step is to sell your script. This is known as the pitch. A pitch is a summary of your screenplay. This pitch is usually presented verbally to a producer, an agent, a manager or an executive. The preliminary pitch is about 20-seconds. The next pitch is about 5 minutes. A more extensive pitch is about 45 minutes.
A 20-second pitch needs to be short and captivating. It usually focuses on the logline without embellishments. The 20-second pitch is to excite an interest in your audience. It captures the essence of screenplay while not going into detail. The best 20-second pitches are those that state that a screenplay is similar to a commercial movie but different in some way. For example, Jason Bourne was pitched as James Bond with amnesia. The Incredibles was a movie that twisted a popular concept of Superheroes playing the everyday man.
One of the reasons that the 20-second pitch is so brief is that typically a producer or manager or agent or developmental executive will have to recall your pitch to many other people. If they get confused or can’t present your pitch well then it may not get presented at all.
A 5-minute pitch is even more crucial because it is expansive overview of your story. It includes interesting details including twists and turns in your story and your character arc. It must be so fascinating that the person listening will ask questions. If your audience asked questions, this is a good sign. If they just thank you and move on then they are not interested.
The 20 minute to 45 minute pitches are done by invitation only. Once a producer, agent or manager expresses strong interest in your screenplay or your writing skills then this will happen.
Getting through the pitching process is challenging especially for those writers who expertise is writing and not selling. We strongly recommend hiring a pitch consultant. If you can’t present your script then you will never sell it.
There are important points to remember when working on your pitch:
Pitch your genre. If it is comedy, make it funny. If you are pitching a thriller or a horror film, make your pitch come across suspenseful.
Be brief. Do not give details, such as descriptions of your protagonist in terms of where they are from unless they have a direct effect of the progression of your story.
Sound natural. Do not read word from word from a cue card. You should not sound rehearsed. Deliver it with enthusiasm and excitement.
Learn about the person that you are pitching to. What movies have they or their company done. What genres? How much money did the movies gross.
Only compare your movie to successful movies. Avoid comparing your movie to unsuccessful movies.
Perfecting your script is the most important thing that you can do but it is no good if you can’t sell it. First, you can pitch to friends and relatives. Then, you can hire a pitch consultant. Don’t spend thousands but find someone in the industry that has years of experience and charges a reasonable fee.
The world is your oyster …
If you want to see an entertaining and hilarious youtube video on how NOT to pitch, check out the Ninja Ultimate Movie Pitch.
It makes you realize how people feel after they hear 20 pitches. Engaging and interesting is key. Invest the time and energy to perfect your pitch.
If you need help, we have experts provide assistance and provide a money-back guarantee!!