Pitching Tips for the emerging screenwriter GR Screenwriters Group

I LOVE MOVIES! Emerging Screenwriter Completed first feature screenplay in 2007 Won 13 International Film Festival Screenwriting Competitions/Awards Optioned three screenplays in 2010 to Los Angeles based producers while living in West Michigan and without a talent agent In January 2011, began writing full-time Mark Winzer

Entertainment Attorney Accountant Industry Expert Selling or endorsing any product or service Who I am not

Getting your work read by industry professionals Selling your work without an agent Building your Network The Pitch Finding Inspiration Discussion Topics

Talent Agent Entertainment Attorney Script Consultant Manager The Writer’s Team

Spec Sale: $100,000 Agent (10%) $10,000 Manager (10%) $10,000 Attorney (5%) $5,000 *Federal Taxes (28%) $21,000 *MI Taxes (10.5%) $7,885 $46,115 *estimates Minus Overhead: Accountant, Script Consultant, Website, Travel, Office Expenses, Aspirin, Rolaids & lots of Coffee, etc., etc., The Cost to Sell a Script

Produced Writer Optioned Writer Award Winning Writer Writer Hierarchy

Script Consultants Film Festivals Screenplay Competitions Screenplay Contests Talent Agents/Managers Your Network Getting your work read by industry professionals

Typical Price Range $100---$2000 Pilar Alessandra Gordy Hoffman Erin Chapman Script Consultants

How will this festival or contest move my writing career forward? 1. Venues to expand my network 2. Table Readings or Live Performance by Professional Actors 3. Small # of “Finalists” 4. Media Exposure 5. Feedback or Script Analysis Film Festival & Contest Criteria

Submission Fees range from $25---$150 Without a Box Cinequest Film Festival Action On Film International Family Film Festival Female Eye Film Festival California Independent Film Festival Waterfront Film Festival Beverly Hills Film Festival Indie Producer Contest Wildsound Contest Screenwriters Expo Film Festivals & Contests

Screenwriting is a networking business… Build Your Network

Emotion If “Pitching” is really just “Selling”, what is the basis of all buying decisions?

30 Second Presentation One Page Leave Behind Treatment Query Letter Writing Resume Visual Medium Mock Poster You Tube Website Social Media Tools that should be in your “Pitch Tool Box”

QOV One Page.docx One Page Leave Behind Sample

QOV Query letter.docx Query Letter Sample

Writing Resume Mark Winzerpdf.pdf Writing Resume Sample

Mock Poster You Tube Website Social Media Non Traditional “Tools”

The Question The Answer The Theme Writing Inspiration

Q. How will we end the war on terror? Will it end through diplomacy or military action? LOG: An international reporter arranges an unprecedented interview with the leader of a terrorist organization that could begin a dialogue for peace, but discovers her trusted cameraman is a covert agent sent to assassinate him. A. Neither and Both. Theme: Absolute views are polarizing and dangerous. “The Interview”

Q. Would an ordinary person be willing to kill someone to save the life of a stranger? LOG: A traveling businessman encounters an abducted teen in a Brazilian brothel. Is it too late to save her life? Is it too late to save his soul? A. Yes Theme: Redemption “Ripples”

Q. Is there a justification for war and can that justification be exceeded? LOG: A passionate leader, a loving mother…and the slayer of 70,000. Based on the true life of Queen Boudicca. 61 AD. A. yes, the justification of war can be exceeded. Theme: Wrath is an empty pursuit. “Queen of Vengeance”

“Riding the Alligator” by Pen Densham “SAVE THE CAT” by Blake Snyder “The Screenwriters Problem Solver” by Syd Field “Aristotle’s Poetics for Screenwriters” by Michael Tierno “Story” by Robert McKee Books that really help

Thank you!