This month, Screenplay Doctor Susan Kouguell heads to the Screenwriters World Conference as a featured speaker. Before she goes, she offers advice for how to get the most out of your visit to a pitch fest. Email screenwriter@newenglandfilm.com to have your screenwriting question answered in an upcoming issue.
My upcoming speaking engagement inspired this month?s column. Over the years I have presented international screenwriting and marketing workshops, and have been a consultant for Warner Bros. and other companies and studios, where I have been on the listening end of pitches. On April 5th, I will be a featured speaker at the Screenwriters World Conference in New York City, which is being held at the Sheraton Hotel April 5-7. (For more information visit: http://www.screenwritersworld.com/ehome/51534/89588/?& #SWCE)
At the Screenwriters World Conference, there will be a Pitch Slam, which they describe as:
?You?ll sit down for five-minute sessions with as many agents as you can fit into the all day event. For the first two minutes with each agent, you?ll share the premise, genre, and the scope of your project with emphasis on the main characters, the conflict that moves your story forward, and the genre (that?s your pitch). For the remainder of your time, the agent or exec will provide immediate, unbiased feedback on your work and your pitch, including invaluable suggestions for improving it. And if an agent or exec gives you his or her business card, jackpot! That?s a request to see more of your work, and could lead to signing with an agent or an option of your project.?
This Pitch Slam, as well as other pitching events, is a great opportunity to meet industry professionals and to establish long-term business relationships. Film industry folks who attend pitch festivals are looking for new material and to discover new talent. Take this opportunity to not only ask for their feedback on your pitch but heed their advice; listen carefully and take notes on each meeting. Keep in mind that you are selling yourself, not only your pitch -- this means that you must make a good impression, be articulate, and respect the person to whom you are pitching. Make the most out of these personal connections.
Prior to the Event ? Prepare
- Prepare Your Marketing Material. Create a business card if you don?t have one already. Compose a one-page flyer or postcard, or post your information on your Web site and/or blog. Do what suits your budget, your expertise, and comfort zone. Your announcement should include an attention-grabbing pitch (describe your project in one or two enticing sentences), your brief bio (highlighting your most important film and writing-related credits), and your contact information.
At the Event - Network
- When meeting an executive be brief and polite. (No stalking!) Don?t pitch your project to an executive unless you are asked to.
- Don?t hand an executive a query letter or script unless it is requested. This is seen as unprofessional, and generally your work will be quickly tossed out.
- Exchange business cards not only with the film industry pros you meet, but with other screenwriters with whom you can later share information. After the meeting be sure to write a note to yourself on the back of the card to remind you of your conversation. (When the event is over it might be tough to recall exactly what was said to whom.)
After the Event ? Follow Up
- Follow up with an ?It was nice to meet you? note or email. If you didn?t have the opportunity to meet your targeted executive, send a note introducing yourself and your project; state that you attended that event and regret not having had the opportunity to meet.
My two workshops at the World Conference will be the Boot Camp: Screenwriter?s Marketing Package, and Writing Successful Query Letters, Synopses, and Loglines.
Boot Camp: Screenwriter's Marketing Package
Congratulations! You have completed your screenplay (or are close to finishing it). You?re gearing up for the submission process?but wait! Your screenplay may be brilliant, but you still need to know how to get it past the film industry?s gatekeepers. This means preparing a winning query letter, synopsis and one-sheet. In this crucially important session, you will learn the essentials tools for writing a query letter, synopsis, and one-sheet, how to successfully present your screenwriting marketing package, do?s and don?ts to marketing your screenplay and yourself, and how to follow up with the industry pros after submitting your marketing package.
More information here.
Writing Successful Query Letters, Synopses and Loglines
Grabbing a film executive?s attention is the key to unlocking the movie industry?s door. Getting your script read by agents, producers, talent, and so on, requires not only writing a brilliant screenplay, but also it necessitates knowing how to professionally represent yourself and your work. This workshop will offer the essential tools on crafting winning queries, synopses, and loglines.
More information here.
Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker Susan Kouguell teaches screenwriting and film at Tufts University, and is chairperson of Su-City Pictures East, LLC, a motion picture consulting company founded in 1990 where she works with over 1,000 writers, filmmakers, and film executives worldwide ( www.su-city-pictures.com; su-city-pictures.blogspot.com). Susan wrote The Savvy Screenwriter: How to Sell Your Screenplay (and Yourself) Without Selling Out! (St. Martin?s Griffin) and SAVVY CHARACTERS SELL SCREENPLAYS! A comprehensive guide to crafting winning characters with film analyses and screenwriting exercises, which is available at $1.00 off by clicking on www.createspace.com/3558862 and using DISCOUNT CODE: G22GAZPD. To order the Kindle version go to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009SB8Z7M (discount code does not apply). To read an excerpt go to: https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1089452. Follow Susan at Su-City Pictures, LLC Facebook fan page and SKouguell Twitter page to receive more Savvy Tips.
Source: http://www.newenglandfilm.com/magazine/2013/04/screenplay
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