The pitch / a transferable vehicle?

ATP · Apr 17, 2006

I know of 'the pitch' in the Hollywood sense. And I am considering it as a means to approach a predominately non-film-making audience and industry, with a possible film/play idea in mind.

My questions are thus (and forgive me if it seems very newbie):

i) is the pitch made on a script already written, or on the idea for a script to be later written?

ii) if the former, is it a good idea to undertake a pitch on the latter?

Thanks,

ATP

icerose · Apr 17, 2006

As a first time writer, ALWAYS write the script first then pitch it. Whereas you haven't proven yourself to the market no one will take your idea seriously until you can prove your mettle in both writing and salability.

Ideas are a dime a dozen, write a script, edit it several times, then think about pitching it.

Good luck.

Sara

ATP · Apr 18, 2006

icerose said:
As a first time writer, ALWAYS write the script first then pitch it. Whereas you haven't proven yourself to the market no one will take your idea seriously until you can prove your mettle in both writing and salability. .

This begs a question.

If one has proven oneself in one mode/form within an industry - reliable, consistent, a track record the target potential sponsor approves of - could one:

capitalise on the goodwill already generated from this one 'platform', to pitch an idea you wish to undertake in another form/ 'platform', that you are unproven in? that these same people might be receptive to?

ATP

clockwork · Apr 18, 2006

ATP said:
This begs a question.

If one has proven oneself in one mode/form within an industry - reliable, consistent, a track record the target potential sponsor approves of - could one:

capitalise on the goodwill already generated from this one 'platform', to pitch an idea you wish to undertake in another form/ 'platform', that you are unproven in? that these same people might be receptive to?

ATP

Absolutely. This is typically how it works. The first script a producer gets (unless they absolutely want to buy it) will be more of a writing sample used as an introduction to that writer. You will almost always be asked what you're working on now. If you have another finished script they'll want to read it but they're interested in your upcoming ideas as well. If they like you as a writer, it's sometimes an easier way to get involved to work on your ideas with you rather than your scripts. It's a way for them to stamp their identity on a project at an early stage, the plan being to get a commission to write the script out of them. It's rare but it happens.

Of course, nothing happens until you prove your worth as a writer and that means finishing a top-notch script. They'll only consider your ideas for new projects after you've shown them you can come up with the goods.

xhouseboy · Apr 18, 2006

clock_work9 said:
Absolutely. This is typically how it works. The first script a producer gets (unless they absolutely want to buy it) will be more of a writing sample used as an introduction to that writer. You will almost always be asked what you're working on now. If you have another finished script they'll want to read it but they're interested in your upcoming ideas as well. If they like you as a writer, it's sometimes an easier way to get involved to work on your ideas with you rather than your scripts. It's a way for them to stamp their identity on a project at an early stage, the plan being to get a commission to write the script out of them. It's rare but it happens.

Of course, nothing happens until you prove your worth as a writer and that means finishing a top-notch script. They'll only consider your ideas for new projects after you've shown them you can come up with the goods.

Good info. That's exactly how it unfolds in 99% of cases, especially for new writers in TV. Very rarely does one's spec script get made, but based upon the ability to write a decent script, producers will often commission one's next proposal as a treatment (or put writer to work on ongoing projects). If impressed, the script then gets commissioned (less treatment fee). Next step, after the necessary rewrites, is either into production (good) or into turnaround (bummer).

ATP · Apr 18, 2006

clock_work9 said:
Absolutely. This is typically how it works. The first script a producer gets (unless they absolutely want to buy it) will be more of a writing sample used as an introduction to that writer. You will almost always be asked what you're working on now. If you have another finished script they'll want to read it but they're interested in your upcoming ideas as well. If they like you as a writer, it's sometimes an easier way to get involved to work on your ideas with you rather than your scripts. It's a way for them to stamp their identity on a project at an early stage, the plan being to get a commission to write the script out of them. It's rare but it happens.

Of course, nothing happens until you prove your worth as a writer and that means finishing a top-notch script. They'll only consider your ideas for new projects after you've shown them you can come up with the goods.

Hmmm. Let me elaborate on my initial question.

Let us say one is a journalist in a particular industry/sector. The said journalist has developed a good solid relationship ie. mutual assistance with some of his interviewees. Interviewee firms in the industry like the journalist's work and track record. He is trusted.

Journalist has an idea that he thinks would be beneficial to firms and journalist.

Overall idea is not unknown within interviewees' industry. Yet journalist is unproven in relation to the idea.But would seek interviewee/s as sponsor.

Is it still possible, in the minds of those here, that the journalist could / should go ahead and make a pitch for the idea, despite the fact that he is unproven in this area?

Thanks,

ATP

clockwork · Apr 18, 2006

This sounds like one of those "If a train leaves Baltimore at 8:35AM, going 64 mph..."

I'm afraid I don't follow. Are you asking, can an established journalist pitch an idea to a film/tv producer and be comissioned to write a script? If so, I don't know enough about working relationships between journalists and producers to answer that though I'm sure someone else will. My gut feeling says: perhaps but not without reservations. Writing a script isn't at all like writing an article/newspaper piece. I don't quite know how a journalist would even get a meeting with producers if he's not written a script or proven himself in that sector.

Please set me straight those who are better versed...

ATP · Apr 18, 2006

clock_work9 said:
This sounds like one of those "If a train leaves Baltimore at 8:35AM, going 64 mph..."

I'm afraid I don't follow. Are you asking, can an established journalist pitch an idea to a film/tv producer and be comissioned to write a script? If so, I don't know enough about working relationships between journalists and producers to answer that though I'm sure someone else will. My gut feeling says: perhaps but not without reservations. Writing a script isn't at all like writing an article/newspaper piece. I don't quite know how a journalist would even get a meeting with producers if he's not written a script or proven himself in that sector. .

You're on the right track:

i) Established journalist wishes to pitch idea to previous interviewee
companies

ii) Established journalist has good to very good relationship with said
interviewee companies

iii) Established journalist wishes to pitch idea of say, film/play idea to
interviewee companies - with interviewee companies as sponsors as idea
has direct relevance and benefit for them.

What are your thoughts on this?

ATP

clockwork · Apr 18, 2006

Ah... I get you now. Though I don't know what an interviewee company is. If this is an independent film funded through private investments and not through a studio or something then you might have a shot. Your interviewee company (please tell me what one of those is, I'm dying to know) may wish script approval, editorial control etc but that would be expected if they're shilling out cash for the production.

Is it for a fictional film or a sort of instructional, promotional thing?

icerose · Apr 18, 2006

The thing is, they have a short attention span. So IF they like your idea they are going to want to read it rather soon.

In my opinion you are best using that short first attention on an already written script. That way you aren't asking them to go on a faith leap. They already are holding it in their hands and you aren't over stretching a friend's favor.

Besides what would they do while they are waiting for it to be written that you need a sponsor right now anyway?

I think you are much better off writing the script, fine tuning it, then pitching it to your contacts.

Writer1 · Apr 18, 2006

Maybe I haven't had enough coffee yet, but...What the heck does this mean?

ii) if the former, is it a good idea to undertake a pitch on the latter?

Huh?

clockwork · Apr 18, 2006

Writer1 said:
Maybe I haven't had enough coffee yet, but...What the heck does this mean?

ii) if the former, is it a good idea to undertake a pitch on the latter?

Huh?

If you wish the truth from me, first these riddles three...

Joe Unidos · Apr 18, 2006

I think you'd get much more help if you dropped the quasi-legalese vagueness and just asked your question.

Like,

"Hey, I'm a special interest magazine freelancer and I have become friendly with a local company's partners. They like me as a magazine guy, they love movies, and I wonder if I can parlay our friendship into convincing them to finance a movie I want to write about vampire bees, and the women who love them. Any thoughts?"

This example probably isn't your situation, but you know what? After countless lines "clarifying" your question, we still have no idea what you are even asking.

ATP · Apr 18, 2006

clock_work9 said:
Ah... I get you now. Though I don't know what an interviewee company is. If this is an independent film funded through private investments and not through a studio or something then you might have a shot. Your interviewee company (please tell me what one of those is, I'm dying to know) may wish script approval, editorial control etc but that would be expected if they're shilling out cash for the production.

Is it for a fictional film or a sort of instructional, promotional thing?

Yes. I guess you would call it an independent film. But, certainly, funded via private investment.

I gather by fictional film you mean a traditional story-based film?
As for instructional-promotional thing, I guess you mean something like an industrial/corporate video, is this correct?

ATP

clockwork · Apr 18, 2006

ATP said:
I gather by fictional film you mean a traditional story-based film?
As for instructional-promotional thing, I guess you mean something like an industrial/corporate video, is this correct?ATP

You gather and guess correctly. So which is it?

The pitch / a transferable vehicle?

ATP

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