02/26/2020
VIDEO: How To Make A Pitch Deck For Your film That Gets Distributors To Say 'YES'!
In it I'll walk you through a step-by-step pitch deck structure that I used to sell over $12M worth of web series content in just over 4 years. https://youtu.be/MzLfGgDmS7Q
You’ll be able to Download the pitch deck template I use in this video by clicking the link I’ve provided in the YouTube video description.
Over the years I’ve developed a pretty air-tight system for getting buyers to be able to wrap their heads around the show/series/film idea I’m pitching them as well as to be able to get them to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ fairly quickly.
One mistake that I see a lot of content creators making when they come in to pitch to me is that they over pitch. They will come in with a three-ring binder with WAY too much information. They are very well designed and color coded and have backstory of characters down to what they like for breakfast and their relationship with their childhood puppy.
All that information is useful for when you make the project, but for selling, it’s overkill and most buyers will throw your beautiful piece of work in the trash once you leave. Sad but true, and I know this because I did it when I was first starting out. My guess is it’s an attempt to show buyers how prepared and dedicated we are. The best way to get their attention is:
KEEP IT SHORT
You’ll need to create two pitch documents.
1. A One Sheet – a one sheet is just that; it’s a one-page snapshot of your project.
It Contains:
Project Title
Genre
-The Project Logline – in two sentence you need to cover: who are the main characters? What happens to them? What is the most important moment of the script? How does the story end? What psychological changes occur by the end. All in two sentences.
A good example and a classic is Shakespeare’s ROMEO & JULIET: In medieval Italy, a young man falls in love with the daughter of a sworn enemy. They elope with tragic consequences.
-Synopsis: A one paragraph, more detailed explanation of the same things the logline covers. One exception – don’t give away the ending – leave them wanting to ask you questions. If they do, you’re in a good place
-The Talent: List the key onscreen and off-screen talent. These are called Stakeholders.
-Shooting Location: Keep it simple – A Farmhouse or Soundstage will do.
-Other Projects You’ve Done: They may not like this project, but they might like you. This will be at the end of your more expanded pitch deck too.
2. The Pitch Deck - This is usually a well-designed PowerPoint or Keynote presentation - 10 pages, MAX.
Includes:
All the same sections as the One-Sheet – but with a little more detail (don’t go crazy).
-Series Arc (If you’re pitching a series) - a HIGH-LEVEL description of the first three seasons. No more than 2 sentences each. Buyers want to know the concept isn’t going to burn out after one season.
-Why Audience Will Love It- This is a short paragraph that shows you understand the network or platform’s audience. This gets them excited if you do it right. Literally title this section Why Your Audience Will Love It.
Come in with more than one idea – and be prepared to pitch them as well as you’re pitching the idea that got you in the room. The reason for this, and this happened to me when I was pitching a big studio, is that if they don’t like your idea or it isn’t right for them, they will always say, “Don’t like it. What else you got?" If you have nothing, you probably won’t pitch to them again.
Make sure your series/film can play at multiple outlets - If your series/film can only play at HGTV, it is most likely too niche (too narrow). The rule is, it should be able to be pitched to at least three outlets but preferably five. The reason being is that if you create a series that only gets one bite at the apple and they pass, you’ve just spent months of your time for nothing.
Make sure it has a SOCIAL element - Almost every outlet/distributor wants to know that you have an audience. If not, then they want to know that you have access to one.
In the end, there is isn’t a document you can make that does all the heavy sales initiatives it takes to sell your work, but having short, fun, and easy to understand pitch material really helps. Most importantly, If they do like your pitch, these documents will help them “sell it up” to their boss(es). https://youtu.be/MzLfGgDmS7Q
This video is about How To Make A Pitch Deck for your film. Get Distributors To Say 'YES'! In it I'll walk you through a step-by-step pitch deck structure th...