Lesson 9

[Jenna Ryan]

What I learned doing this assignment is what to say and expect when making a phone pitch.

(Lead with credibility)

Hi, I’m Jenna and I’m an optioned screenwriter. I have the rights to a Chicago Tribune “Best Book of the Year.” Can I pitch my screenplay adaptation of it super quick?

(If “yes”, then)

Thanks! STEALING BUDDHA’S DINNER is an 80’s comedy in the vein of SIXTEEN CANDLES, but with Asian representation. Let me ask you this: would you let your whole high school meet your awkward Asian family if it would save the school dance?

(What’s the budget range?) Low budget, less than $5 million.

(Who do you see in the main roles?) For the teen protagonist, someone like Lana Condor or Disney star Madison Hu. For her dad, someone like Ken Jeong. For her step-mom, someone like Sofia Vergara.

(How many pages is the script?) A cool 99.

(Who else has seen this?) It was previously optioned by –, but that option has expired. After that, – offered to option it, but I declined. I’m holding out for someone who really gets this project and can take this ride.

(Why do you think this fits our company?) Because you’ve had success with indie films that have universal appeal; because you produce movies that celebrate diverse voices and stories; because you’ve produced comedies in this budget range, etc.

(How does the movie end?) When a fire in the cafeteria breaks out, Bich lets her entire high school crash her dad’s Lunar New Year party and lets her freak flag fly. Previously obsessed with becoming American, Bich decides to “Make Asia Great Again.”

[Nick Walsh]

Nick’s Phone Pitch

What I learnt: I think leading with a unique High Concept is sure to capture the instant attention of the producer. It’s the basis for the other three strategies, presented as options here.

1. Tell us which of the four strategies you are going to use to open your pitch:

I will lead with a High Concept.

2. Give us your script for phone call pitches, like I did above.

Hi, my name is Nick Walsh. I’m a screenwriter and I have a two-second pitch for you. Would you like to hear it? [Yes.] It’s the Irish equivalent to Roots….

3. Give us a one or two sentence answer to the questions a producer may ask:

What’s the budget range?

$1-5 million per episode.

Who do you see in the main roles?

My characters as complex and emotional. A great opportunity for up and coming Irish actors to show their depth. Someone like Cillian Murphy or Saoirse Ronan.

How many pages is the script?

62.

Who else has seen this?

Two Irish producers have read it and liked it but say it would be a hard sell for them because of their size and connections..

Why do you think this fits our company?

You have taken on big projects and were successful and that tells me you have vision and that’s the kind of producer I’m looking for.

How does the movie end?

The Pilot ends (to be continued) when Michael learns of Rose’s murder just as he has made up his inebriated mind to run away.

The Series ends when Michael and Kathleen, after years of struggle and misery, cross the Mississippi and step onto the fertile land of Iowa, newly opened to immigrant, including Irish, settlement. Freedom at last.

xxx

[Richard Senne]

Richard Senne’s Phone Pitch

What I learned from this lesson is… having a quick no frills pitch to get in the door is important. The high concept and great title are what appears to be the best approach to me.

Tell us which of the four strategies you are going to use to open your pitch:

I will lead with a Great Title and High Concept.

Give us your script for phone call pitches, like I did above.

Hi, my name is Richard Senne, and I have Precise Strike, which is Cape Fear meets Black Widow.

Or

Hi, my name is Richard Senne, and I have Precise Strike; After a deadly bio-weapon attack the sole survivor must evade a psychopath, who needs her blood, before destroying Washington DC.

What’s the budget range?

This movie should be a low budget, in the $1-5 million range.

Who do you see in the main roles?

I see someone like Isabella Merced, an up and coming actress, and Anne Hathaway as the complex sisters in this.

How many pages is the script?

This script is 108 pages long.

Who else has seen this?

This script was a semi-finalist in PAGE Awards contest. I am currently shopping it.

Why do you think this fits our company?

You have produced successful projects in a similar vein. That’s the kind of producer I’m looking for.

How does the movie end?

Jessica breaks free of captivity when everyone is distracted by the launch of the bio-weapon drone. She has to fight the psychopath while she navigates her drone to stop the attack.

Her drone drags the bio-weapon back and crashes it into the camp to kill the terrorists.

[Aurora AURORA Harris HARRIS]

Assignment #9 Aurora’s Phone Pitch

I learned doing this assignment that even shorter is better.

1. Leading with expertise.
2. Hi, this is Aurora Harris, I’m an
   optioned screenwriter. I have a faith-based historical drama which would
   appeal to fans of the Chosen. My one hour TV miniseries is called The
   Insurrectionist. It’s about a
   Roman soldier, a loyalist, on mission to assassinate a rebel leader in Galilee,
   but when discovering everyone, including he is himself an insurrectionist,
   he switches allegiance to fulfill his divine destiny. (Pause)
3. What is the budget range?

It is low budget in the range of$200- $400 K per episode because it was written as a contained film. For example, in many of the episodes, the protagonist is under house.

4. What actors do you like for the
   lead roles?

For the lead, Theophilus the Centurion, a Joseph Fiennes type actor would be great.

For the character of Young Philip the Evangelist, a bi-racial athlete, someone like Will Smith’s son, Trey, would be a great choice.

Marcus Julius Agrippa– Herod’s grandson, could be played by an actor like Christian Rodrigo.

5. The pilot script is 71 pages.
6. A producer in Nashville has seen
   an earlier version.
7. I contacted your company because
   you have produced great faith based films and know that the first century dramatic
   series The Chosen has gained a huge following that has an appetite for more
8. The movie ends with the protagonist,
   a pagan Roman soldier name Theophilus, who values loyalty to Rome, flipping
   sides and joining the Christian underground, smuggling Luke’s Gospel to the
   seven churches in Asia.