When a writer needs to pitch their
project most of them shrink back in horror at the prospect. It often feels too much like a performance
and performance anxiety immediately rears its ugly head. Yes, it is a necessary evil and writers must
learn to do it and do it well. The good
news is that you can learn how to do it and with practice you can do it well.
Once you know how to do it, you might even find it fun and exhilarating. After all, you are telling your stories and
as a writer you are a storyteller.
There are different kinds of pitching
that you will run into. We’ll discuss
the differences between pitching to your own agent, pitching to try to get an
agent to sign you and pitching to a producer.
All three are quite different in style and nuance. Certainly the basics are the same. You have a limited amount of time to explain
an entire movie, describe your characters and excite your audience. It’s an important aspect of your working life
and no one else can do it for you.
PITCHING TO AN AGENT:
Upon first meeting an agent, at a pitch fest, you should try to sell
yourself more than your project. Agents
are not buyers. They can not finance
your movies, but they are the doors to those buyers that you will need. Your best bet is to project an image of
self-confidence along with your knowledge as a writer and your love of the
work. Of course they want to hear your
ideas and if you can tell them an interesting story that is a tried and true
genre, you will be on the right track.
Agents want to know that you are a good writer, that you are prolific,
and that they can live with you. Being
overly aggressive will turn them off, as will being too shy. They want to hear someone who believes in
themselves and their work. They also
want to know that you can listen to suggestions, advice and counsel.
PITCHING TO YOUR OWN AGENT:
You will find that you’ll often have
to pitch your new ideas to your own agent.
They want to know what you are working on and what ideas you have for
future work. This is done in a much more
relaxed atmosphere, with a good deal of give and take.
PITCHING TO A PRODUCER:
This kind of pitching involves all of the talent that you have as a
writer and a performer. You need to know
your material backwards and forwards.
You will need to show a great deal of self-confidence and yet be willing
to listen to their questions and ideas.
Your attitude is always “up”.
Show your enthusiasm for your project in a businesslike way.
Now go out there and have some fun
with your newly developed talent.
www.michelewallerstein110@vpweb.com
