In my April blog, I introduced notes from a master class in screenwriting entitled “How to Sell Your Script” by Michael Hauge, a veteran consultant in the movie industry. He initially focused on two central questions for your script: (1) Who is the hero? and (2) Why would we empathize with your hero? Yes, these questions are essential to ponder before writing the script and continue to explore while writing each scene and developing the character arc. There are ten points to consider when considering these questions listed in the April Blog, so please check it out!
Now, we’ll focus on the pitch itself in the steps Hauge outlined in his session about selling your script!
Item 1: Hauge recommend choosing anything from the ten items previously mentioned that fits into your pitch (PLEASE refer to a “How to Sell Your Script – Part 1” blog already published!)
Item 2: Once you come up with your pitch, write it down!
Item 3: Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse! (NOTE: Corner everyone you know and pitch!)
Item 4: Research! Look for companies that are interested in your work. Have they produced movies similar to yours in genre? (NOTE: Websites for researching producers include IMDb.com. a movie database)
Now comes the actual pitch!
Steps to Presenting Your Pitch:
Step 1 – Create a relationship with the person you’re pitching to:
- Common experience
- Acknowledgement for something they have done (NOTE: No one is immune to acknowledgement)
- Saying, “thank you for being here.”
Awkward Moment #1 – How do you begin a pitch?
- Do not begin with the title!
- Don’t start with a logline for the same reason! Too much of a capsule summary!
- The BEST way is to tell about how you came up with the story! (Say: “Here’s how I came up with this idea…”
- PASSION is something you exude!
After you say how you came up with the idea, add: “So, I created a story about….”
Also, DROP the words: “Let me tell you how I came up with the idea…”
Instead, say: “Let me begin by telling you…”
Your goal is a rehearsed pitch that touches on the key items of the pitch.
Awkward moment #2 – Finishing your pitch!
When you finish your pitch, you wait one second and DO NOT tell how your movie ends! Emotion grows out of conflict. At the end of Act 2, when something happens; leave with obstacle still facing them. (NOTE: Personally, I’ve actually heard the opposite from some screenwriting gurus, so you need to decide this one for yourself. I’m just relaying what Michael Hauge instructed us to do!)
Where to put the logline?
My story is…
End with “Do you have any questions about my story or would you like me to send it to you?” (NOTE: Once, again, personally I’ve heard advice about not offering to send anything, with a caution that if they are interested, they will ask!)
When asked if they would like you to send something, they will respond one of three ways:
- “Yes, send me a copy” OR “yes, I’d like to see it,” you walk away. Anything you do beyond that will only damage the relationship. If you need to polish the script, say as an exit line, “I’m just doing a final polish, and I’ll have it ready in a couple of weeks.”
- If they say “no” because it wasn’t right for them, they’re in the market for something else. If they say “no” and you came with a second project, take a few moments to pitch. Also, you could say, “Could you give me any suggestions on how to improve my pitch?”
- They have questions! It is not a door into telling your story.
Don’t worry about being nervous. The best you can get is “I’ll read your script.”
Character arc – from fear to courage!
Figure out your comfort zone and step out of it!!!
So that’s what I have from Michael Hauge! Take what works for you! But most importantly, tell your story with passion!