2007 Screenwriting Expo Q's

[GreenTea]

Like I've already mentioned, I'm going to attend the Expo in CA and it is my first one ever. I'm both anxious and nervous. Nervous because I'm going there primarily for pitching opportunities.

I have a few questions about pitching, please. I know the pitch sessions are only 5 minutes long, but I've read elsewhere that the time is actually shorter because you have to find the person you're going to pitch among some 60 people sitting in one room. Is that true?

Also, if the person I pitch to likes my idea and wants to read the screenplay, will they give me a business card with the info how to reach them, or will I have to fish out their address in the Internet or somewhere else?

If they don't like the idea, what do they usually do/say?

Any suggestions about pitching? I.e., should I go directly into the logline? I'll appreciate any information. Thanks!

[MrJayVee]

I've never participated in a pitch session at the Expo. In fact, I've never participated in any pitchfest. But here's what you should expect:

You'll stand in a long line and wait an inordinate amount of time. You'll eventually be ushered into an area with a handful of representatives from production companies. You'll take a seat at the first rep's table and he'll say, "OK, what've you got?" You'll pitch your story. You'll have a limited amount of time. Probably five minutes. When you're done, he'll say, "Sounds good. I'd love to read a script. Here's my card.” More than likely, he'll say, "It's not for us. Thanks anyway." Then you'll move on to the next rep's table and pitch again. If you’re lucky, at least one rep will request your script.

As for the best way to pitch your script...well, I’ll let folks who’ve had experience at a pitchfest chime in. But I will say this: Know your pitch backwards and forwards. Just talk about the interesting/exciting aspects of the story. Keep it succinct. Above all, make sure you’re pitching something that deserves to be made into a movie.

Good luck at the Expo. Maybe I’ll see ya there.

[NikeeGoddess]

well, i have done the pitching at the expo. it goes something like this:

1 - do your research and decide who you want to pitch to. it's on a first come, first serve basis so the sooner you decide the better because the best ones go fast. pitch your best, polished, and most marketable idea. if you have more than one then you can decide which one to pitch based on the research you've already done. know who like comedies and who's looking for low-budget horror, etc... the expo will provide this information but it is after you've made your decision so you need to do it for yourself beforehand.

2 - the expo will give you a schedule. it's all on you to make it there on time or you will lose your place. some people stand in line for hours but there is no need to because you have an appointment. but you should go early in case they're running early but usu they run late.

3 - you have a map of the room so you should know exactly where your representative is sitting and go directly to their table. if the last person is still trying to pitch stare them down because they are taking your time.

4 - do your pitch and leave a "one sheet" with your logline, synopsis, contact information, etc... whatever you think best represents you and your script but they will only take one page. if they request the script then you must send it to them - or if you're lucky enough to stay in LA for a couple more days you can drop it off at their office on monday.

extra notes:
- some of the less popular reps will have breaks in their schedule and if you wait around the entrance in the "butt-in" line then you may get a free spot but it'll be with whoever is free and you cannot choose

- be comfortable with your pitch - it should be only 4 minutes so you have time to introduce yourself and possible get their information after the pitch. also, some will just sit back and listen, others will interject and ask questions so you must be able to let that happen and answer the questions with ease and not let it throw you off. don't use a "scripted" pitch. tell it like it's this fantastic movie you just saw.

- know that most reps will be hearing over 100 pitches so yours must stand out in that crowd of boring crap. take a $5 pitch seminar prior to pitching. they will help you big time. the big open pitch forum is free and even better b/c they have a pool of representatives giving feedback.

good luck!

[GreenTea]

Thanks, MrJayVee and NikeeGoddess for your help. Things are much clearer to me now.

I'm wondering why all these people (producers, agents, etc) would even bother going to the Expo and spend so many hours listening to the pitches if they weren't really looking for fresh blood. I'm sure they fish out an idea or two.

[naimas]

I went last year, read a book that came the night before my flight and read it on the flight and rewrote my pitches because of it. Its by a guy named Hague. Selling your story in 60 seconds.

Anyways,

You will be led (like a lamb to the slaughter) with a bunch of people (slow as hell) before you. You go into this room filled with agents and empty spaces. I guarantee that you will lose ONE MINUTE just getting inside and going to your seat. Next, you might just find your seat is still occupied by the person who was pitching before you. You could very well be two minutes in by now.

(I had one agent who rudely would not let me go when I stood up because the bell rang. She wanted to argue why my script was wrong for her. I tried politely, graciously to say goodbye ((because someone else was now having their precious 25 bucks wasted because she wouldn't let me go)) and then I finally, seeing the desperation on the guy's face (who had EVERY RIGHT to be sitting down now instead of me) I stood up and asked the lady, ARE YOU GOING TO BUY MY SCRIPT? To which she replied, OF COURSE NOT!! To which I replied, Well you are wasting my time then and I don't have time to waste chatting with someone who doesn't want my script.

I doubt the guy managed to get in two minutes after that. And I felt bad for him.

Why am I posting this? You will have a better chance at success if you do this one thing..........

GET YOUR PITCH DOWN TO 60 SECONDS.

You want to give them time to ask questions
You want to give them time to get into the brainstorming
You want to give them time to speak any dislikes with the idea
If they don't like your idea, doing 60 second pitches will allow you the time to pitch a second or even a third idea.

I have sold two screenplays this year. The 60 second pitch, like a commercial is the strongest weapon you have.

The first night at the expo.......

Buy a beer, wine, etc.
Meet people and that night learn to get over the fear of pitching.

I know one guy who bought a ton of pitches and he wouldn't say his pitch to us. He said he wanted it to be fresh for the people. What happened? He bombed on his first several that he threw away the rest of his pitches.

Another reason you want to pitch people is because you will learn if your pitch is communicating your idea or not. Just tweaking several words can make or break a pitch.

[GreenTea]

Thank you, Naimas. I appreciate your advice.

One more question, guys, if you don't mind:

If I pitch to the agent/producer, should I merely say out loud my logline the way I put it into a query letter, or should I say it a bit broadly? In other words, should I just blurt out my logline and stare at them to see what they say, or should I go a bit deeper into the synopsis, sort of a spontaneous and brief discussion (under a minute)?

[NikeeGoddess]

forget the logline... unless they ask for it. most will not because they'd rather just hear the story. you don't have time to go deep into the synopsis. tell your story in broad strokes. focus on your protag's journey and the theme.

see now i said 4 minutes and naimas said 1 minute - don't pick one. find that middle ground that works for you and your script. there is no right or wrong answer to that. ie - an easy, high concept comedy can be pitched in 1 minute where a more completed thriller or drama will take longer.

and know that the reps are different people too. some will want to hear your logline and ask for it. others may ask about YOU. and some will tell you from the getgo - "i'm not looking for _______" (fill in the blank). this means you wasted your money on choosing the wrong production company to pitch to. if you have a back up script to pitch then this is when you can try it. they're all different so you need to be flexible too.

[Plot Device]

Green Tea:

Read THIS thread. It's very long (especially the OP). But read it.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1497679&#post1497679

[GreenTea]

Thank you, Plot Device. I read it all. It's awesome that I now have a much clearer idea about pitching. I'm very confident about my story and know it very well, of course. And I definitely am passionate about it. I've registered my script with GWA (same with the Library of Congress copyright) and might post 10 first pages on the Share Your Work forum for critique (then I'll re-register my screenplay, if any changes are made). Time is flying real fast and the Expo is just around the corner, so I want to be as prepared as possible.