Pitch It Up A Notch

A great project, if not pitched well, “lands not with a bang, but a whimper.” T.S. Elliot.

So you’ve written a great script. Now what? To be successful, you have to be adept at much more than simply writing. We all want to see our stories move from page to screen, but an effective pitch is often a necessary precursor. Screenwriting is a business; successful writers need the skills to present themselves, their ideas, and their stories. Unfortunately, we’re often given vague guidelines and generalized advice on “how to pitch”, rather than concrete coaching as we hone and perfect one specific pitch.

In this intimate, five-session intensive, students will improve their pitching skills and deepen their understanding of the pitch process, how pitches are set up, meeting etiquette, etc. But, more importantly, each student will “Pitch it up a Notch!”® by selecting a specific project (either a completed pilot or feature), for which they will craft and perform a compelling pitch. Via in-class feedback, writers will experience “mock pitches”, pitching their own project and also serving as “producer” during their classmates’ pitches.

 

Writing the Romantic Comedy with Jessica

What People are Saying

“Learning to pitch well is a skill. And there’s nobody better to teach you this than Hunter Phillips. Not only is she excellent at refining and organizing pitches, but she’ll help you perfect the performance as well. Each step is crucial to master in order to sell your show or screenplay in the industry today. I’ve personally worked with Hunter on multiple projects and highly recommend her.”

-Jonell Lennon, writer/producer, Pretty Little Liars, The L-Word: Generation Q

Poster for the film Love Under the Olive Tree, a white man and woman hold containers of olive oil and smile at the camera

In a highly competitive market, it’s crucial that a writer find their own unique style, while also understanding how to tick the necessary boxes. A variety of factors come into play when pitching, from nerves to timing to logistics, especially in the post-Covid reality of video pitches. Based on personal experience pitching, both in person and remotely, Hunter shares some of the best practices and works with students as they craft, perform, revise and re-perform their pitch… Such techniques and strategies will better prepare writers for the moment when all eyes are on them, and producers are waiting, listening, anticipating a phenomenal tale…

Capped at 8 students. 6 weeks, 5 Sessions, 3-4 hours each, depending on enrollment. Hunter’s next class is $499 and begins on Monday, March 13th from 6pm to 9pm.

Please contact [email protected] for further information about our workshops. To ensure writers are placed in the correct workshop we do not allow online sign ups for our workshops.

Writing the Romantic Comedy with Jessica

A great project, if not pitched well, “lands not with a bang, but a whimper.” T.S. Elliot.

So you’ve written a great script. Now what? To be successful, you have to be adept at much more than simply writing. We all want to see our stories move from page to screen, but an effective pitch is often a necessary precursor. Screenwriting is a business; successful writers need the skills to present themselves, their ideas, and their stories. Unfortunately, we’re often given vague guidelines and generalized advice on “how to pitch”, rather than concrete coaching as we hone and perfect one specific pitch.

In this intimate, five-session intensive, students will improve their pitching skills and deepen their understanding of the pitch process, how pitches are set up, meeting etiquette, etc. But, more importantly, each student will “Pitch it up a Notch!”® by selecting a specific project (either a completed pilot or feature), for which they will craft and perform a compelling pitch. Via in-class feedback, writers will experience “mock pitches”, pitching their own project and also serving as “producer” during their classmates’ pitches. 

 

What People are Saying

“Learning to pitch well is a skill. And there’s nobody better to teach you this than Hunter Phillips. Not only is she excellent at refining and organizing pitches, but she’ll help you perfect the performance as well. Each step is crucial to master in order to sell your show or screenplay in the industry today. I’ve personally worked with Hunter on multiple projects and highly recommend her.”
–Jonell Lennon, writer/producer, Pretty Little Liars, The L-Word: Generation Q

Poster for the film Love Under the Olive Tree, a white man and woman hold containers of olive oil and smile at the camera

In a highly competitive market, it’s crucial that a writer find their own unique style, while also understanding how to tick the necessary boxes. A variety of factors come into play when pitching, from nerves to timing to logistics, especially in the post-Covid reality of video pitches. Based on personal experience pitching, both in person and remotely, Hunter shares some of the best practices and works with students as they craft, perform, revise and re-perform their pitch… Such techniques and strategies will better prepare writers for the moment when all eyes are on them, and producers are waiting, listening, anticipating a phenomenal tale…

Capped at 8 students. 6 weeks, 5 Sessions, 3-4 hours each, depending on enrollment. Hunter’s next class is $499 and begins on Monday, March 13th from 6pm to 9pm.

Please contact [email protected] for further information about our workshops. To ensure writers are placed in the correct workshop we do not allow online sign ups for our workshops.