Pitching Lessons from a Pitch Fest Pitcher

Last month I attended my first Hollywood Pitch Festival - a conference of writers selling their ideas to movie producers.  I pitched my latest action movie to 20 different executives, who all offered immediate feedback and left me with a confident outlook.  Since the project has yet to sell, however, I'm thinking about what lessons I learned for the next time.  And also advice to writers planning to attend their first pitch festival.

1.  PRACTICE.  

This was one of my strong points, but I can't emphasize it enough to anyone planning to pitch.  It was because I had been honing my pitch for weeks that I was cool, comfortable and consistent in front of 20 unknown and judgmental Hollywood execs.  What amazed me, though, is that when I spoke with other writers they confessed to simply writing their pitch that morning.  Or not writing one at all and attempting to wing it! 

2.  A NUMBERS GAME.  

At this particular Saturday-Sunday fest, writers sign up for 14 specific appointments, then are free to wait in the standby line for any available openings.  I recommend waiting in the standby for EVERY opening.  The more people you meet the better, and quite honestly 14 is a very small amount.  Improve the odds by pitching to everyone possible.  Don't worry about saving your strength for your top appointments - embrace every opportunity.  From the time the doors open on Saturday morning until they close on Sunday, don't stop pitching.  If you haven't lost your voice on Monday morning you didn't try hard enough.

3.  PICK THE FAVORITES FIRST.  

When it comes to signing up for your initial meetings, reserve the most popular companies that are looking for what you're selling.  Save the smaller, more niche companies for the standby line because chances are they will have openings.  No sense wasting a valuable reservation on a company that won't be full.

4.  BRING CARDS.  

Come prepared with something to hand out.  Not everyone will request your info, but when asked you should have something to give.  I know most writers do not have business cards (nor should they), but for this instance it helps to leave a memento.  Your name, number, email, and possibly your logline.  It wouldn't hurt to have your picture on it either, since the typical executive meets at least 20 writers that day.  It should be small, no larger than a postcard. 

5.  PRINT SCRIPTS. 

Most executives won't immediately ask for the script.  If they do, they will want it emailed.  But for those who like it the old fashioned way, it helps to bring a few printed.  It goes without saying that they should be properly formatted and bound the industry standard way.  

The bottom line:  Practice and be prepared.