Can anyone named all the major pitchfests?

[JustinoXXV]

Can anyone here name all the major pitchfests? Thinking about attending one.

[NikeeGoddess]

i doubt any pitchfest would be considered major by anyone. but, what's most important is connecting with that one producer who is looking for what you have to offer.

do your research so you can select wisely who to pitch to.
tell your story like it's the greatest movie of the season; it just came out; and you loved it!

and if you're not successful.....which 99.9% of the attends..... don't come flaming on the boards about it. think of it as a pitch practice session so that later, when the real deal wants you to pitch.....you're pitch perfect!

[JustinoXXV]

Thanks for your advice. It's worth a shot.

Have you ever been? If so, did you enjoy it? Some of the events are held in various hotels where you might get to meet people when the actual pitchfest isn't on.

[Joe Calabrese]

I've been to a few and there are what you put into it. They can be fun, exhilarating and very, very frustrating.

Make sure you check out who will be there and research them to see what projects they do and what they are looking for.

I agree that for the money you may be better off just querying them cold, but the pitch experience is too say the least, an eye-opener. Good experience to have.

A good book to prepare you is the Perfect Pitch by Ken Rotcop and Breakfast with Sharks by Michael Lent.

As for which ones are they best, I don't think it really matters, just the guest list of execs that will be there.

As for bumping into them in the hotel, the locals won't bother. They come in and out only for the pitches. The out of towners usually keep to themselves or hang out with thier local counterparts. I would say you would have just as good a chance as bumping into an exec at a Starbucks.

[IWrite]

I've been to a few and there are what you put into it. They can be fun, exhilarating and very, very frustrating.

Make sure you check out who will be there and research them to see what projects they do and what they are looking for.

I've participated in a number of them on the other side of the table. I can tell you that it's equally frustrating for the agents, producers, etc because so few of the writers know how to pitch, they let their nerves get the best of them and give a "and then, and then" recitation of their story. I strongly suggest reading up on pitching and practicing your pitch as well - both books Joe mentioned are good resources.

First and foremost pitching is about establishing a relationship and rapport - even in a cattle call environment such as a pitch fest it is possible to do so. And you can have much more success doing so - when you are pitching in person rather than querying via a letter. Of course, in some cases it can have the opposite effect - I've had writers pitch themselves out of a request after hooking me with the logline, by boring me with the details.

As for whether they are worth the money or not, I won't make that call - but I will tell you that every producer, agent and manager I know who particpates - are there because they are hoping to find a project they love and will make a lot of money off of. It doesn't happen often - but then again it doesn't happen often when you query or have your agent submit.

The Screenwriting Expo which is held in LA every fall has a huge pitching event - they also offer pre-pitch coaching sessions.

Hollywood by the Bay holds their Spec Script Marketplace every few months. They also offer pitch coaching before the events. Their next event is in July.

Sherwood Oaks Experimental College also has many different pitch events.

It's sometimes difficult to do research prior to an event - because the participant lists are often not finalized until the time of the event. Often the promoters will list past participants in their event marketing. Most of these events do provide you with a list of attendees and their credits so you can try to target your pitches to some extent.

Most of these events are held in LA - but on occasion they are held elsewhere - there was recently a large event held in New York.

Just getting the opportunity to experience what it's like to pitch is often worth the price of admission.

[NikeeGoddess]

bumping into execs and celebs - go to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills during industry awards season (mid-January). eat lunch, hang out by the pool, watch as they pull up in their cars, take extra long pisses in the bathroom, etc... ;)

the all-i-can-remember list/forgetting some names as well from only one day last January - my bumps:
Spike Lee - he wasn't happy
Glenn Close - she wasn't havin' it
JJ Abrams - 15 minutes!!!
the 2 kids from Arrested Development - just a congratulations
the jazz musician who was murdered in Collateral - 1/2 hour
Clive Owen - brush pass before i recognized him
Leonardo DeCaprio - rushing past to take a pee (w/body guards)
that dude from Sideways & American Splender - 2 minutes
Liam Neeson's wife - 2 minutes in the lounge
some dude who worked for Richard Dreyfuss
a gang from the BikerBoys flick