How to Pitch a Movie in 7 Steps

A movie pitch is when a screenwriter presents an idea for a feature film to people who can help finance or produce it, in hopes of securing money to write the first draft. The pitch process is meant to intrigue the people who can help make a movie—either studio executives, distributors, producers, or directors—to sign onto the project. A movie pitch can be a verbal or a visual presentation of a writer’s big idea, usually preceding the writing of a draft of the film. Film pitches are useful tools that briefly convey the important elements of a film project, like premise, characters, plot, and budget.

There are two main forms your pitch meeting may take, depending on the amount of time you have with your audience.

• The standard pitch: The standard pitch is a rehearsed, scheduled pitch in which the screenwriter relays their movie idea to a group of investors or production executives. In some cases, the execs may ask the creator to make a pitch deck to accompany their verbal presentation to help expand upon the screenwriter’s vision for the fim. These pitches often last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.
• The elevator pitch: An elevator pitch is a much briefer form of the standard pitch. The idea is that you deliver the pitch quickly—in about the amount of time you would spend in an elevator ride. An effective elevator pitch should express the essential premise of the idea that doesn’t last more than 20 to 30 seconds.

When you compile a movie pitch, you’ll want to include the most essential elements of your story or production in a clear and compelling way. For how to write a movie pitch, see the steps below.

1. 1. Write an introduction. Start your movie pitch with a brief overview of the film, which should include the title, logline, genre, and theme of the project. Address whether your story is entirely fiction, or based on a true story. In some cases, you may want to include why this particular screenplay is important, and what it means to you.
2. 2. Include a synopsis. Whether you’re presenting with a deck or verbally, include a section that summarizes the premise of your film. Discuss the basic plot of the story without giving away the whole story.
3. 3. Discuss the characters. Include a section in your pitch that breaks down your main characters. Describe the protagonist, any antagonists, or important secondary characters that are essential to the plot. Briefly discuss their motivations, arcs, or significant traits that make these characters compelling.
4. 4. Address the filmmaking elements. Your movie pitch may include specific types of cinematography, styles, lighting, or music that inspire you or add to the mood of your film. Include any unique elements of the filmmaking that may bolster your chances of a successful pitch. Mention the budget, existing financing, or if any directors or actors are currently attached.
5. 5. Write a compelling conclusion. Conclude your pitch by discussing how the story ends. You can also end on a cliffhanger, but make sure it leaves the listeners wanting more, rather than confusing them or leaving them unsatisfied. You can also discuss the significance of making your film at this very moment, and any other interesting personal elements that could help sell your idea. You want to convince your audience that you are the only one who can make this movie.

There are a few steps that every filmmaker should take to ensure they’ve delivered the most compelling pitch possible:

1. 1. Pitch the right people. Make sure the investors or producers are the right fit for your screenplay. For instance, if your script is a comedy, don’t try to set up a meeting with a production company that only makes horror films—unless your story happens to be a horror film with comedic elements.
2. 2. Find pitching opportunities. Attend pitch fests or use networking opportunities to try and get people interested in your ideas. Contact production companies to see if they accept unsolicited pitches from new writers. Be assertive but polite when contacting those you want to pitch to.
   
3. 3. Know the elements of your film, inside and out. Make sure you rehearse your pitch before you get in the pitch room, and are familiar with all the elements of your story. Start at the beginning and progress through the story, limiting your pitch to the most essential elements of your film. Avoid going over the allotted amount of time that you’re given.
4. 4. Prepare to answer questions. The story you’ve been rehearsing may make perfect sense in your own mind, but remember it’s an entirely new story to someone else. Be prepared for questions from your listeners, and make sure you can answer them when the time comes.
5. 5. Be passionate and confident. You want to convince your audience that your idea is worth their investment of time or money. Even a great idea may not sound appealing if you sound hesitant or nervous. Being confident during your pitch will likely inspire your audience to get just as excited as you are about your film idea.
6. 6. Follow up. It can take a few weeks, or sometimes longer, for some execs to respond to your pitch. Once about a month has passed, craft a polite follow-up email checking in with those you’ve pitched to.
7. 7. Shop your script around. If you get a “no” after your first pitch, don’t take it too personally. There are many conditions that go into buying a film script, and sometimes certain ideas don’t fit within a studio’s confines. If one studio doesn’t work out, you can always shop the idea around to other studios. You should believe in your script, so don’t give up on it.

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