Overview
You’ve written a stellar script, you’ve received professional coverage, and you’ve practiced your pitch ad nauseum. But how do you get it into the hands of a film executive? Whether you've completed your first script or have two or three excellent scripts to pitch, take a meeting with our help -- and do it for a lot less than what it costs to fly and stay in LA.
The NWSG prides itself on providing Guild members with the opportunity to take one-on-one meetings with film executives as part of your annual $100 membership fee. During these meetings, you can pitch your script, gather information about the business, or discuss career goals -- depending on the guest. In any case, face time is vital in opening doors for you in the film business, helping you, giving you the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with industry professionals.
SCHEDULE A MEETING
Guild Members may sign up for a Saturday meeting with our guest at Friday night's event. Unfortunately, Associate Guild Members and Friends are not permitted to take a meeting with guests of the NWSG. This privilege is reserved for Guild Members whose dues are current. No exceptions, sorry!
We encourage you to attend the Friday night event so you can get an idea of what kinds of projects the guest is looking for. You wouldn’t want to show up Saturday and pitch your romantic comedy when the guest specifically said he/she is only interested in horror. However, if this is the case, you could still sign up for a consultation to ask questions about the industry, etc. Maybe the guest has a colleague who’s on the hunt for rom-coms. It’s all about making that important connection.
When you sign up for a meeting you must include contact information: name, e-mail and phone number. In the event we need to move the meeting location, or there are last minute schedule changes, we will need to get a hold of you right away.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Meetings are usually 5 - 7 minutes long. You will be given a one-minute warning signal to wrap up your meeting. We appreciate you not going over the allotted time. It’s disrespectful to other members, and those extra minutes add up quickly, making us fall behind schedule.
NOTE: If you are late for your meeting, you may be bumped to the end of the list. In this case, we do not guarantee that you will have an opportunity to pitch. This will be at the discretion of the guest and NWSG Board Members in charge. Conversely, if we are running a behind (for a variety of reasons), please be patient. We reserve the right to change times or locations of meetings.
CAREER CONSULTATION MEETINGS
The Northwest Screenwriters Guild seeks to provide a wide range of guests. Some will be agents, managers and producers who are looking for new material. Others will be industry professionals (writers, teachers, etc.) who do not want to hear pitches, but can still be an amazing resource for writers at any level. Use this time to ask questions, seek career advice and learn from their experience. Please remember that if they don’t want to hear pitches, do not pitch your project.
PITCH MEETINGS
WHAT IS A PITCH?
A pitch is a brief (3 to 5 minute) verbal description of your movie.
"No matter how complex or detailed a story is, the more easily the writer can explain it, the better the chances he or she has of getting it sold. Because the ‘pitch’ doesn’t end with the writer (the buying producers will then have to pitch the story all over town), it is vital that the pitch is simple, direct and has a hook.
The title of your story can also go a long, long way toward attracting interest. For instance, Intergalactic Struggles might not generate as much interest as Star Wars. The thing to bear in mind is that you want to avoid the ‘been there, done that’ roadblock. You want to make it possible for the people you’re pitching to easily grasp the story’s concept, see that it’s uniquely fascinating, and believe a broad audience demographic will want to see it.
The story has to convey this to the people you’re pitching, without you directly selling them its potential. Know also that these people are pitched a multitude of stories on a weekly basis and after a while all pitches begin to sound alike. Make yours compelling and accessible."
Jerrol LeBaron, president and founder of InkTip.com
Pitch Perfect: Pitching your movie idea to the
entertainment industry
 |
| NWSG members Tom Zmiarovich,
Charlcee Davis and Lisa Scott practice pitches before taking a meeting with agents. |
NWSG PITCHING GUIDELINES
During the pitch you’ll introduce yourself, give your pitch, and answer questions from the guest. If the guest gives you comments, interrupts you, or has questions, this is a good thing. Go with the flow and don't try to redirect them back to your pitch.
For help with pitching, check out our resources under pitching, especially GOOD IN A ROOM by Stephanie Palmer.
Some companies require that you sign a standard submission agreement, which is a formality when unsolicited materials and pitches are presented to entertainment companies. This needs to be signed prior to your pitch meeting.
Increasingly, our guests are taking a one-sheet/leave-behind, which is one page consisting of the title of your movie, the logline, a synopsis, and your contact information. Business cards are also a good idea to bring, but will not always be requested.
To ensure your pitch is all that it can be, we highly recommend that you:
- Go through some of the pitching resources
- Participate in NWSG workshops to help you develop pitching skills
- Practice, practice, practice!