Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Film CourageFilm Courage

Screenwriting

How Many Times Should A Screenwriter Practice A Pitch by Carole Kirschner

More videos with Carole Kirschner here on Youtube

 

Film Courage: How many pitch meetings will an executive usually have in one day? Because [as a screenwriter looking to pitch] we’re going in, we’re ten minutes early, we’ve got our best outfit on, business casual (I don’t know what we’re wearing?) but something that makes us feel comfortable, we’re ready, this is the biggest deal to us, but this person [we are pitching to] has already seen how many people beforehand?

Carole Kirschner: When I was at CBS in comedy development we would meet with people at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. So here’s a tip: get the early morning meeting. Do not get a late afternoon meeting. Especially don’t get a late afternoon meeting on Fridays. If you can get a morning meeting, that is the best way to do it.

Executives are experienced at taking meetings, they know how to do that. So if you have to get an afternoon meeting, it’s not going to sink you. But your pitch has to be great. If your pitch is great then they will come alive because they are looking for great pitches because it makes their job easier. So if you have an engaging pitch, they will come alive. If the pitch is boring in the late afternoon, it’s harder to pay attention to it.

 

“Don’t be spontaneous! It should be rehearsed. It’s a performance. It shouldn’t be memorized from within an inch of its life, that is not a good idea. You should know it backwards and forwards and sideways. Then put away the paper (although you can have notes if you want) and then make it a conversation. Do not leave it to “I’m just going to walk in and do this.”

 

Film Courage: Let’s talk about working on your pitch. Because, again we see ourselves one way, others see us another way. Are we coming up for a script for our pitch? Or is it better to be spontaneous?

Carole Kirschner: Don’t be spontaneous! It should be rehearsed. It’s a performance. It shouldn’t be memorized from within an inch of its life, that is not a good idea. You should know it backwards and forwards and sideways. Then put away the paper (although you can have notes if you want) and then make it a conversation. Do not leave it to “I’m just going to walk in and do this.” No. It’s like people in school. You want to be an overachiever. Be completely prepared. Not memorized but completely prepared.

I have a former mentee who sold a lot of pilots scripts. She never goes in [to pitch] unless she’s practiced eight times. She practices in front of people. She practices in front of a mirror. She practices and practices.

There was a writer/producer who was phenomenal named Stephen Cannell.  He was the most prolific television producer and creator in the business. He was always practicing his pitch. I knew his daughter and she said “You know, we couldn’t go to the store without him pitching.” If he was walking down the hallway in his building, he would buttonhole you and tell you the pitch and ask for feedback.

Practice, practice, practice.

 

 

BUY THE BOOK – HOLLYWOOD GAME PLAN: How To Land A Job
In Film, TV, and Digital Entertainment

https://amzn.to/2caDdz8

hollywood-game-plan-how-to-land-a-job-in-film-television-and-digital-entertainment

CONNECT WITH CAROLE KIRSCHNER
Parkonthelot.com
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

carole_k

 

Advertisement

 

 

origin_movie_108_media_filmcourage-com

Watch ORIGIN on iTunes Starting December 13, 2016

ORIGIN: Three science students are on the verge of making a breakthrough in their research into biohacking and cell aging. When one of them is diagnosed with a terminal illness, they break moral boundaries and use their untested research on him, in an attempt to save his life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

cold_nights_hot_salsa_movie_108_media_filmcourage-com_

Watch it on iTunes here!

COLD NIGHTS HOT SALSA takes you inside the international dance world of Victor and Katia, aspiring young salsa dancers from Montreal, who seek to win a World Salsa Championship.

During their three-year quest Victor and Katia draw upon the talents of Eddie Torres, Tito & Tamara, Billy Fajardo, and Katie Marlow. Central figures in the salsa dance world, these mentors put their passion and professional dance skills before you and reveal what it takes to perform and compete at the highest level.

Victor and Katia’s story is a love story. It’s the story of their love to dance and of how being a couple enhances and also complicates their life together and dance ambitions.
After winning the Canadian Salsa Championship, we watch as they first compete in the 3rd World Salsa Championship. They return home to Montreal to work on taking their dance skills to a higher level. After months of preparation, including working with a number of key mentors, they put their dreams on the line and travel to Florida to compete in the 4th World Salsa Championship.

Along with Victor and Katia’s story, the film explores some of the social and historical roots of salsa, as told through Eddie Torres, Billy Fajardo, Tito Ortos, and Edson Vallon.

Experience the beauty and excitement of competitive dance, the compelling force of world leaders in salsa, and the romantic charm of two young dancers who want to make their mark on the Latin dance world.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Business of Film

  [Watch the video interview on Youtube here] Film Courage: Shane, by the time you’d finished what the fifth grade you’d already had a hundred...

Authors

[Watch the video interview on Youtube here]   Film Courage: What are the three worst ways to start a story? Steve Douglas-Craig, Owner/Teacher at The...

Authors

The Mentor, Shape Shifter and more.

Screenwriting

Every character thinks they are the center of the story.