Pitchfests
Pitchfests
Pitchfests are events put on by an organization that assembles a group of industry executives (often production companies, managers, agents, and studio executives) and has a one or two day event that allow you to pitch your scripts directly to the executives.
Instead of mailing or emailing query letters, you are face to face with Hollywood players and can verbally pitch your ideas or finished scripts. Many companies that indicate that they only accept material submitted by an agent or entertainment lawyer, will attend pitchfest events and will accept your material for consideration.
The point is... that anyway you can get your material read by Hollywood is positive for your career. Pitchfests started about 6 years ago, and more and more are becoming an accepted way of getting your material read in Hollywood. The avenues of access to Hollywood are growing all the time and pitchfest events should be an important part of your marketing strategy.
Here is an example of a typical pitchfest event. 50-200 Hollywood executives assemble over a 1 or 2 day event and you sign up for meetings with these executives. The organizers will provide you a list the companies attending, their credits, and what type of projects they are currently looking for. You set up your meetings which are typically 5-7 minutes long, and pitch your projects to them. The executives will either immediately request your script or may request it within the next week. Of course you may also receive a polite rejection.
The executives sent by the companies are often interns, production assistants, or may even be the principals of the companies themselves. Even if the exec. is a lowly paid intern, they can get your script read by that company.
Pitchfests are one of the newest ways to gain access to Hollywood decision makers. You should consider attending a pitchfest to enhance your other methods of marketing your screenplay.
Pitchfest Links:
Fade In Magazine Pitchfests (several pitchfest events per year)
The Great American Pitchfest (twice a year)
Let's Do Lunch
American Screenwriting Association (has a pitchfest at their yearly screenwriter's conference)
Script Magazine (sponsers a pitchfest called "Take a Meeting" 15 minute pitch meetings)
Virtual Pitchfest An online pitching site
Pitchfests are events put on by an organization that assembles a group of industry executives (often production companies, managers, agents, and studio executives) and has a one or two day event that allow you to pitch your scripts directly to the executives.
Instead of mailing or emailing query letters, you are face to face with Hollywood players and can verbally pitch your ideas or finished scripts. Many companies that indicate that they only accept material submitted by an agent or entertainment lawyer, will attend pitchfest events and will accept your material for consideration.
The point is... that anyway you can get your material read by Hollywood is positive for your career. Pitchfests started about 6 years ago, and more and more are becoming an accepted way of getting your material read in Hollywood. The avenues of access to Hollywood are growing all the time and pitchfest events should be an important part of your marketing strategy.
Here is an example of a typical pitchfest event. 50-200 Hollywood executives assemble over a 1 or 2 day event and you sign up for meetings with these executives. The organizers will provide you a list the companies attending, their credits, and what type of projects they are currently looking for. You set up your meetings which are typically 5-7 minutes long, and pitch your projects to them. The executives will either immediately request your script or may request it within the next week. Of course you may also receive a polite rejection.
The executives sent by the companies are often interns, production assistants, or may even be the principals of the companies themselves. Even if the exec. is a lowly paid intern, they can get your script read by that company.
Pitchfests are one of the newest ways to gain access to Hollywood decision makers. You should consider attending a pitchfest to enhance your other methods of marketing your screenplay.
Pitchfest Links:
Fade In Magazine Pitchfests (several pitchfest events per year)
The Great American Pitchfest (twice a year)
Let's Do Lunch
American Screenwriting Association (has a pitchfest at their yearly screenwriter's conference)
Script Magazine (sponsers a pitchfest called "Take a Meeting" 15 minute pitch meetings)
Virtual Pitchfest An online pitching site
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