CounterCulture Independent Filmmakers’ Resource

Posted on: June 27th, 2009 The Single Biggest Mistake When Pitching Your Material…

The majority of screenwriters that I talk to make a critical mistake when pitching their material to Hollywood executives. The scary thing is, they don’t even know what they’re doing wrong – because the wrong way is so commonly accepted as being correct! And I have 2 quotes that illustrate this point.Here’s the first, by Mark Twain.”There are 2 reasons why a man buys anything. The reason he tells his wife… and the real reason.”Here’s the point: whenever you sit down to persuade anyone to buy something from you, there are usually TWO sales to be made, not just one. First, you must sell the individual in front of you. You must appeal to the emotions of that person, and persuade him that whatever you’ve got is right for him. You must get him to say “yes” to whatever you’re selling. However, there is a second sale that is rarely taken into consideration. A purchase decision almost always includes another individual in your prospect’s life, whether it be a spouse or significant other, or someone they want to justify it to (a skeptical brother-in-law, nosy parents, or curious friends).So a master salesman must not only convince the person in front of him, he must also provide this person with enough information and the emotional excitement to convince whoever this “other” person is too! Here’s how this example translates directly into Hollywood, and into your pitches. The truth is, 99% of Hollywood executives are only afforded 2 powers. 1. The power to say “no”2. The power to champion your script to someone who can say “yes”Rarely can the Hollywood executive in front of you – snap his fingers and say “I’ll buy it!”There is always a boss, or a senior executive who needs to be convinced. But most screenwriters act as if the battle is over once they get the executive to read their script.This is only PART of the equation!Your job as a professional screenwriter is to infuse the passion and emotion of your story into your pitch (sale #1), but also to arm your executive with enough information so that they can in turn infuse that same passion and emotion into their boss (sale #2)! Fortunately, I’ve outlined the top 3 things to include in your pitch so you are sure to make BOTH sales, and significantly increase the chances of getting your script bought. This 3-part formula is included in this week’s Video Screenwriting Tip of the Week!

Posted on: June 27th, 2009 Free Copy of the Producer’s Handbook

Guide for Indie Filmmakers, with Checklists, Contracts…
and how to SELL your work

Continued:

NexTv Entertainment Web Series and Short Film Competition – In Search of Tomorrow’s Television.

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