I think novelists could dot down some points from this as well. It's easy to forget that your art is essentially a product too that needs to be sold and marketable (at least if you want to succeed).
Having said that - can we talk about that picture in the middle? The one with the woman in front of the typewriter? It's enchanting. Is she inviting me to come jot down what she's saying? Is she the exec? Love that image.
So many (more or less) universals there. I work in product management -- we have to sell features to the business, who sell them to others. TIL that a logline is a supercharged user story, and that has utility. Also the point about giving others the ammo they need to sell your stuff is something that should be metaphorically or literally beaten into people.
And look, I'm not saying I bug my reps about news when I haven't heard anything but I'm not NOT saying it either...
"A television pitch is not explaining to people what happens: it’s for telling the execs what it’s ABOUT."
You have to care about your story and you have to care about your characters and your job when pitching is to make sure that you show how much you care and if you're lucky, the people you're pitching will care about your stories and your characters, too.
I once successfully pitched a horror feature to a producer by quickly outlining the idea (high-concept contained story) and then getting to the meat of the story which is that two childhood friends who've grown apart and who carry lots of simmering resentment towards each other (for reasons) are now trapped in a confined location with a malevolent evil, and THAT was the bit that sold the pitch: two characters who are relatable and often likeable but who don't like each OTHER very much all of a sudden can't get away from each other and now must deal with trying to stay alive.
Number 7 is hugely important. You can be the best writer in the world but if you're an arsehole who messes people around, then you won't be hired again. Being amenable, flexible, and turning your drafts in on time is the job. And being patient. Because Jeeeeeeeesus, it takes a long time for execs to get back to you :D :(
I think novelists could dot down some points from this as well. It's easy to forget that your art is essentially a product too that needs to be sold and marketable (at least if you want to succeed).
Having said that - can we talk about that picture in the middle? The one with the woman in front of the typewriter? It's enchanting. Is she inviting me to come jot down what she's saying? Is she the exec? Love that image.
Oh, and of course Rammstein! ;)
So many (more or less) universals there. I work in product management -- we have to sell features to the business, who sell them to others. TIL that a logline is a supercharged user story, and that has utility. Also the point about giving others the ammo they need to sell your stuff is something that should be metaphorically or literally beaten into people.
Thank you for these words. If I get to the point of pitching something, I'll keep them in mind.
Great, useful list!
And look, I'm not saying I bug my reps about news when I haven't heard anything but I'm not NOT saying it either...
"A television pitch is not explaining to people what happens: it’s for telling the execs what it’s ABOUT."
You have to care about your story and you have to care about your characters and your job when pitching is to make sure that you show how much you care and if you're lucky, the people you're pitching will care about your stories and your characters, too.
I once successfully pitched a horror feature to a producer by quickly outlining the idea (high-concept contained story) and then getting to the meat of the story which is that two childhood friends who've grown apart and who carry lots of simmering resentment towards each other (for reasons) are now trapped in a confined location with a malevolent evil, and THAT was the bit that sold the pitch: two characters who are relatable and often likeable but who don't like each OTHER very much all of a sudden can't get away from each other and now must deal with trying to stay alive.
Number 7 is hugely important. You can be the best writer in the world but if you're an arsehole who messes people around, then you won't be hired again. Being amenable, flexible, and turning your drafts in on time is the job. And being patient. Because Jeeeeeeeesus, it takes a long time for execs to get back to you :D :(
My career as a writer would be over by number 7 at the latest.. cheerful? Nope. Pain in the ass? Oh yeah! 😂