We asked the execs attending the PitchFest for their advice and here are a few of the quotes. You can see ALL of the PitchFest execs HERE.
‘Keep your pitch under 1 minute if you can, and have no fear in coming up to people.’
Alex Tate- Head of Acquisitions | Carnaby International
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/alex-tate
‘Build relationships with producers and directors. Know the industry. Be switched on. Understand approximate real budget of action on the page (but do not let it hamper the creative process, just be aware!).’
Alexei Slater – Head of Film Development | Laughing Gravity Media
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/alexei-slater
‘Know the market for your idea. Be able to pitch it simply and in 100 words. Understand how the business works and that someone has to fund your ideas for them to happen – be prepared for the pitch.’
Barry Ryan – MD/Creative Director | Free @ Last TV
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/barry-ryan
‘Believe in yourself, do your research about the companies/people you like to work with and be determined!’
Claudia Dehmel – Head of UK Operations | International Film Partners
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/claudia-dehmel
‘Relax and enjoy it. Trust your instincts and talk about what excites you most about your project – that’s what will excite producers and commissioners. Don’t just recount the plot.’
David Hancock – Development Executive | Headstrong Pictures/Warner Bros
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/david-hancock
‘Be prepared.’
David Walton – Head of Development/Producer | Free @ Last TV
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/david-walton
‘Keep it brief and leave time for questions. Use references if it helps you express tone. Talk about your previous work as context. Understand your audience. Know who you are pitching to.’
Eva Yates – Senior Development Editor | Film4
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/eva-yates
‘Try to show why you’re passionate about your project and what it means to you. Keep it simple and be clear and succinct as much as possible. Always keen to hear about character and conflict and not just plot.’
Ian Jackson – Head of Development | Fastnet Films
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/ian-jackson
‘Write about what they know and are passionate about. Keep your pitch short, clear and to the point – leave me wanting to know more.’
James Heath – Producer | Dresden Pictures
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/james-heath
‘Have a couple of ideas you can pitch in the same sitting, be searchable online, adapt to feedback, and sell yourself as well as your ideas.’
Jessi Gray – Development | Lightbulb Pictures
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/jessi-gray
‘Think about who your film is for, why it is unique, and think about why you want to tell this particular story.’
Josephine Davies – Head of Development Film & TV | Wildgaze Films
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/josephine-davies
‘Try to keep your pitches simple and don’t go into too much detail. You don’t have to explain everything that happens in your script, but just tell the story as concisely as you can and leave some time for questions.’
Luke Foster – Development Executive | Iron Box Films
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/luke-foster
‘Keep the idea simple and very clear. You should be able to sell it in one to two sentences.’
May Gibson – Development Producer | Independent Producer
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/may-gibson
‘As well as the practical step of getting your script linked with an experienced producer at an Indie, the key thing is to be truly passionate about your project.’
Morwenna Gordon – Development Executive | BSKYB
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/morwenna-gordon
‘Know your characters and let them lead your story. As much as possible pitch in the tone of your project.’
Olivia Aubry – Head of Development | Runaway Fridge Productions
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/olivia-aubry
‘Write a great spec, use that spec to secure an agent and then meet lots of producers. Think of your own ideas.’
Rebecca Ferguson – Head of Development | Slim film+television
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/rebecca-feguson
‘Be friendly and inspire others with your passion, pursue consistent networking with professionals, never be afraid to ask for what you want, and rather craft a few beautiful, personal prize-winning screenplays than a stack of weekend drafts.’
Thembisa Cochrane – Development Exec | Spier Films
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/thembisa-cochrane
‘Be original but not too crazy with your first idea. Think about what is do-able as a first project. It’s about finding that perfectly simple back drop to allow great characters to flourish.’
Tom Jordan – Scripted Comedy Producer | Hat Trick
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/tom-jordan
‘My advice for any pitching is this; first be rigorous about interrogating the ideas you plan to pitch. Who will want to see this and why? What is unique and intriguing about this project that will hook in this audience (and get their ticket money amidst a sea of other choices)? Does it immediately engage strong expectations of dramatic, or comedic, conflict? If so then get to the heart of this central conflict in your pitch. Who is trying to overcome or achieve what in this story? What are they up against and do they succeed or not in the end? What is the implication? Finally, don’t forget the all-important preface to set the scene about what exactly you’re pitching; the title, genre, format (feature, TV series etc.), and where and when it’s set. If you have all that you’ll be in with a head start.’
Sarah Olley – Head of Development | Formosa Films
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/speakers/sarah-olley
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Posted by a member of the London Screenwriters’ Festival team.
