The Art of the Film Pitch

Film Pitch

Film funding is a crucial stepping stone in the journey of turning your unique cinematic dreams into a tangible reality. However, securing this funding hinges on one critical aspect - the art of pitching.

This comprehensive guide will offer practical tips and strategies to help you create a compelling pitch that not only showcases your film’s potential but also emotionally connects with potential investors, offering them a vision they would want to be a part of.

What is a Film Pitch

A film pitch is a brief presentation of a movie idea, aimed at persuading producers, studios, or potential investors to support and finance the project. It can range from a simple verbal description to a more elaborate presentation with visuals, storyboards, or even a short video. The goal is to capture the essence of the film—its story, tone, and potential appeal—in a concise and engaging manner. Successful pitches convey the storyteller’s passion for the project while also demonstrating its marketability.

The Impact of a Pitch

A pitch holds immense power in the world of filmmaking. It’s not just a summary of your film’s plot but a golden opportunity to form an emotional connection with potential investors. This emotional connection can be a decisive factor, tipping the scales in your favor.

Consider how legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg pitched the now-iconic movie “E.T.” Instead of simply summarizing the plot, Spielberg presented a moving story about a lonely boy who befriends an extraterrestrial, touching on universal themes of friendship, loneliness, and love. By doing this, Spielberg allowed investors to envision the film’s broad audience appeal and potential for success, convincing them to invest in his vision.

However, the path to crafting such a compelling pitch is filled with careful preparations and strategic planning.

Pitch Your Film in Cannes

Know Your Potential Investor

Your journey towards a perfect pitch begins with extensive research on your potential investors. Understanding their likes, dislikes, past investments, and the general trend they follow in their investments can equip you with valuable insights. This knowledge allows you to fine-tune your pitch, making it resonate with the potential investor’s interests and increasing your chances of success.

For instance, suppose you’re pitching a horror film, and your potential investor primarily funds romantic comedies. At first glance, this may seem like a mismatch. But with thorough research into their portfolio, you may discover shared elements that could be leveraged to your advantage. Maybe they’re attracted to strong character development or unique narrative structures, which could be emphasized in your horror project.

Here are a few critical areas to focus on while researching:

• Investor’s Portfolio: Analyze their investment history. What genres do they generally invest in? Do they favor big-budget productions or lean towards indie projects? Understanding these patterns can give you insights into their preferences.
• Success Stories: Look at their most successful investments. What made these projects stand out? Was it the script, the director, the casting, or some other factor? These successes can give you an idea of what they consider a ‘winning’ project.
• Market Trends: Being aware of market trends and audience preferences can also work to your advantage. If your horror movie, for example, has elements of comedy, that could be a selling point considering the recent success of horror-comedy films.

Once you have a good understanding of your investor’s preferences, you can frame your pitch in a way that not only highlights your project’s potential but also aligns with your investor’s interests. Perhaps your horror film has a unique twist, a romantic subplot, or is expected to perform well in a market where romantic comedies are currently underperforming.

Remember, the goal is not to misrepresent your project, but to highlight those aspects of it that would be most appealing to your potential investors. By demonstrating that you understand their needs and goals, you’re not just pitching a film – you’re proposing a solution to their business challenges. That’s a compelling proposition for any investor.

5 Step Elevator Film Pitch

In filmmaking, an elevator pitch is a short, impactful presentation that describes an idea for a film compellingly and easily. It’s designed to be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride, typically about 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Here’s how you can craft an effective elevator pitch:

• Step 1: Identify the Core of Your Story  
  Understanding the heart of your story is the first step in creating your elevator pitch. What is the central theme, or the main conflict? What drives the protagonist? This might not necessarily be your plot, but rather the underlying theme or emotional arc of your film.
• Step 2: Describe Your Film Succinctly  
  Translate that core into a concise, one or two sentence description of your film. This should include the genre, the main character, and the primary conflict or goal.
• Step 3: Highlight What Makes Your Film Unique  
  Identify what sets your film apart. This could be anything from a unique setting, an unconventional narrative structure, a fresh take on a well-known story, or a particularly relevant theme.
• Step 4: Communicate the Market Potential  
  Highlighting the commercial potential of your film can be beneficial when pitching to potential investors. Mentioning similar, successful films can provide an indication of potential market performance.
• Step 5: Practice Your Delivery  
  The content of your pitch is essential, but so is your delivery. Practice your pitch until you can deliver it confidently and enthusiastically. Try it out on friends, family, or colleagues and get their feedback. Remember, an elevator pitch is not just about conveying information - it’s about selling a vision. Your passion and belief in your project can be as persuasive as the content of your pitch.

Delivering Your Pitch

When it’s time to deliver your pitch, there are a few strategies that can enhance its effectiveness:

• Be Concise and Clear: Time is a precious commodity, especially for busy investors. Keeping your pitch brief and to the point shows respect for their time and makes your presentation more memorable.
• Be Engaging: An intriguing hook can set the stage for an impactful pitch. It could be a compelling factabout your film, a question, or even a short, gripping scene from your screenplay. If you’re pitching a biopic, for instance, a surprising or little-known fact about the person in question could make an excellent hook.
• Answer ’Why You?’: Investors don’t just invest in ideas - they invest in people too. Be clear why you and your team are the right people to execute the project can add credibility to your pitch. This could include your previous filmmaking experience, industry accolades, or a personal connection to the film’s story.

Film Pitch Examples

Here are examples of pitches for a few hypothetical film ideas:

1. Title: Ocean’s Echo

• Genre: Drama/Adventure

Pitch: “In a world silenced by a catastrophic pandemic, a deaf marine biologist discovers a way to communicate with whales and uses this breakthrough to rally the world towards environmental conservation. Think of it as ‘Arrival’ meets ‘Free Willy’, a story filled with adventure, human connection, and a powerful environmental message.”

2. Title: Phantom Notes

• Genre: Musical/Romantic Drama

Pitch: “In the neon-lit streets of 1980s Tokyo, a disenchanted salaryman and an ambitious jazz singer find solace and inspiration in each other’s company, leading to an intense, bittersweet love affair that changes their lives forever. It’s a poignant, music-infused romantic drama reminiscent of ‘La La Land’ and ‘Lost in Translation’.

3. Title: The Last Kingdom of Mars

• Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Pitch: “In a distant future where Earth’s last survivors have colonized Mars, a young archaeologist uncovers an ancient Martian kingdom, unleashing secrets that could either doom their new home or save it. This is an epic sci-fi/fantasy adventure combining the scientific intrigue of ‘The Martian’ with the fantastical elements of ‘Star Wars’.”

4. Title: Baker Street Heist

• Genre: Comedy/Crime

Pitch: “When a hapless baker in London’s East End accidentally discovers the mob’s secret plan for a diamond heist, he and his quirky group of friends must outwit the mobsters and save the day. Envision ‘The Italian Job’ meets ‘The Great British Bake Off’ in this rollicking, pastry-filled crime caper.”

5. Title: Labyrinth of Shadows

• Genre: Psychological Thriller/Horror

Pitch: “A renowned psychologist with a knack for lucid dreaming must delve into the terrifying nightmares of a traumatized child to unlock the truth about a mysterious crime. Think ‘Inception’ intertwined with ‘The Sixth Sense’, a psychological thriller that explores the dark corridors of our subconscious.”

6. Title: Melody of Freedom

• Genre: Biopic/Drama

Pitch: “Set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement, this biopic tells the inspirational true story of a black classical pianist who overcame racial discrimination to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. It’s ‘Green Book’ meets ‘The Pianist’, a stirring journey of resilience, music, and the fight for equality.”

7. Title: Silicon Desires

• Genre: Sci-Fi/Drama

Pitch: “In a future where AI and humans coexist, a relationship blossoms between a lonely software engineer and an intelligent android, leading to profound questions about love, identity, and what it truly means to be human. ‘Her’ meets ‘Blade Runner 2049’, this film explores the intersection of technology and emotion.”

Each of these pitches clearly identifies the genre and summarizes the core plot, giving potential investors an idea of the film’s premise. They also compare the proposed film to existing successful films, which helps to indicate the film’s market potential.

Handling Questions and Objections

Investors will likely have questions and potential objections after your pitch. This is a normal part of the process and should be expected. It’s essential to handle these moments gracefully, viewing each question as a chance to provide additional insights into your project.

For instance, if an investor questions your choice of a relatively unknown actor for a significant role, you could justify your decision in terms of the actor’s exceptional talent, their compatibility with the character, and the fresh perspective they bring. In doing so, you turn potential skepticism into an opportunity to further demonstrate your project’s strengths.

Facing Rejections

Rejections are an inevitable part of the pitching process. However, each ‘no’ you encounter is a step closer to a ‘yes.’ Use rejections as a tool for refining your pitch and approach. If an investor rejects your project because they believe the budget is too high, this feedback can be valuable in reassessing and potentially streamlining your budget.

Concluding Thoughts

The art of pitching is an essential skill in a filmmaker’s journey. With careful preparation, a dash of creativity, and a dose of resilience, you can enhance your ability to secure film funding and bring your cinematic vision to life. As you continue refining your pitch and learning from each experience, remember - the next pitch could be the one that propels your film in front of a paying audience.

In the end, success lies not only in persuading investors to fund your project but in inspiring them to believe in your vision as you do. It’s a challenging task, no doubt, but with the right strategies and perseverance, you can craft a pitch that resonates with your audience and propels your film towards success.