pitch-worksheet

Apply this skill when:

• Developing a story concept into a pitchable form
• Preparing for pitch meetings
• Clarifying story structure before writing
• Testing if a concept has commercial viability

Life's a pitch, and then you try! Pitching can create opportunities that you never dreamed of. Pitches don't always work - in fact, most of the time they don't. However, as a screenwriter you should always be ready to pitch your exciting, wonderful story ideas.

Remember: Always COPYRIGHT your pitches, scripts and treatments! You can't really protect an idea, but you can make it a unique creation in your copyrighted work.

Logline

What is your story about? Keep it brief! (1-2 sentences maximum)

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_______________________________________________

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Genre

Try to stick to one, but keep it simple if you mix genres.

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PRIMARY: _______________ / SECONDARY: _______________

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The 3 Main Characters

Include the enemy/foe.

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1. _____________________________________________

(Role: Protagonist / Antagonist / Supporting)

Brief description:

1. _____________________________________________

(Role: Protagonist / Antagonist / Supporting)

Brief description:

1. _____________________________________________

(Role: Protagonist / Antagonist / Supporting)

Brief description:

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Act 1: Setup

Introduce us to your main character. Tell us how they live; introduce your other characters. Tell us the moment where their life changes - that moment when nothing will be the same for them ever again - that moment that sets them on their journey.

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Act 2: Confrontation

Intensify the conflict, the journey - but be brief. What stands in their way? Tell us the moment when they are the furthest from their goal.

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Act 3: Resolution

Tell us the ending.

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Turning Points

Those flashes that change the direction of your story.

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1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________

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Most Cinematic Scenes

The ones you can really "Visualize."

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1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________

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The B-Story

Your secondary plot.

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Revised Logline

After all is said and done, maybe you feel different. Refine your logline.

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One-Minute Pitch Exercise

Come up with a one-minute pitch of your favorite movie. When the movie is reduced to a short pitch, what are the important points? Which lines, which events, which moments hold the story together?

Rehearsal Tips

• Don't memorize it: This will only make it sound rehearsed
• Sell the story: As if you were telling a friend about an exciting event that just happened
• Show enthusiasm: Your passion for the project should be evident
• Know your audience: Tailor the pitch to who you're speaking with

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[GENRE] about [PROTAGONIST] who [SETUP/STATUS QUO]

until [INCITING INCIDENT] forces them to [GOAL].

But [OBSTACLE/ANTAGONIST] [CONFLICT].

Now they must [STAKES/DECISION] or else [CONSEQUENCES].

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Examples

• Raiders of the Lost Ark: "An archeologist is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis."
• Gladiator: "A Roman general is betrayed and his family killed by an insane emperor. Now a gladiator, he comes to Rome for revenge."

• [ ] Logline is 1-2 sentences max
• [ ] Genre is clearly defined
• [ ] 3 main characters identified with clear roles
• [ ] Act 1 establishes protagonist and inciting incident
• [ ] Act 2 shows escalating conflict and low point
• [ ] Act 3 delivers satisfying resolution
• [ ] Turning points are dramatic and visual
• [ ] B-story complements main plot
• [ ] Can pitch verbally in under 2 minutes