Thread by @ThisisKaia

Thread: On Pitching

For above-the-line creatives: writers, producers, directors. I was a dev exec at Lotus Ent, so this is my perspective as a buyer. What to do, what NOT to do, and how to nail it. #screenwriting #WritingCommunity

1/ All pros pitch. Even at the highest levels

2/ Pitching is really hard, so you need to practice, practice, practice. First off know that the cardinal sins of pitching are
a) too boring
b) too confusing

3/ The first thing you're often pitching is getting the buyer to read you. Whether that's a query, an email, or an in-the-room pitch, you have to fascinate them and compel them to read. If they send it out for coverage, you may be doomed, so ASK THEM TO READ THEMSELVES.

4/ If you're selling a comedy- know that you gotta make the buyer laugh IN THE ROOM, and so you should write those jokes ahead of time, plan, and also trust the moment- both equally. Your first job is to prove you (or the writer/s) are funny. PEN15 sold off a comedy short btw

5/ As a buyer, it's hard to interrupt you if we get lost. Questions start to add up... so make space to check in.

Are you with me so far? Is a question that can save your pitch. Take pauses. Do NOT ramble on and on and on. Let it breathe. Tell the story but check in too.

6/ If your story has 1000 characters, and you know them all SO WELL, I guarantee even your intelligent your buyer will glaze over. So give us the heart of it- your protag, your villain, the story engine. Be compelling. Bring the PASSION!! Perform it :)

7/ You should always have a one sentence pitch. As a producer, I got a read request today off a one sentence pitch that was designed just for this particular producer I was talking to. Once they say yes, STOP TALKING. End the meeting. Follow up fast.

8/ As a buyer, I knew within a few minutes of the pitch whether this movie was for us. A powerful entry after the small talk is to just say, listen I'm not sure if this is for everyone, but here's why I thought of YOU for it. Make it personal to them. Execs have egos :)

9/ Film your pitch twice:

First film it into your phone.

Then film yourself pitching a real person (manager, team, spouse etc). Then watch the playback and learn. Then adjust your pitch. Rinse. Repeat. Refine. That feedback is gold.

10/ On rejection. It's SO hard. Learn what you can. Improve for next time. If the person who passes says they love your work/writing/filmmaking, ask them who they know may be right for your project. Ask for that email intro (warm handoff).

11/ I teach pitching, and you can grab my free special report on How to Pitch Anything in 1min here EntertainmentBusinessLeague.com

12/ Succeeding in entertainment where even celebs are your competition is tough. If you want guidance navigating your career - only if you're serious- you can apply to the Entertainment Business School with me here- next class starts in Jan: EntertainmentBusinessSchool.com