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Screenwriters & Filmmakers - Pitching the Cold Heart of the Banker
By John Gaskin
Screenwriters & Filmmakers - Pitching The Cold Heart
of a Banker
(Copyright 2005)
Can a creative pitch alone get your script produced?
Pitching the script is an art that is much talked about, put
into college curriculums and lauded by the Pop Culture.
But, there's a big factor missing from creative pitches. It's
fundamental; but broadly ignored by key creative
people.
For over 20 years I've been hired by Film Financiers
(Studio Exec's, Bonding Companies, etc.) to watch over
their investment during the film's production. I've also
had more than a few independent filmmakers ask me
for help in getting their film off the ground. So, I've been
rubbing elbows with the elusive Film Financier (of one
stripe or another) for some time.
Creative screenwriters, directors and filmmakers,
especially when they're new at the game of film
production, conceive that the money for wonderful
scripts should be found - like apples dropping from a
tree. 'Fraid not. Filmmaking is as much about the money
as it is about the creative.
The person who you're pitching may be wearing blue
jeans and topsiders, but he's still a Financier (or his
immediate superior is). When pitching your script, think -
I'm looking into the cold heart of a banker.
Learn to be familiar enough with the costs of your script
to defend it in the language of money. Then, you'll be
able to look any Studio Exec in the eye and mean what
you say in his/her language.
But, you say, I'm creative! What do I know about money,
and financing, and accounting, and, and¡.. Take heart.
It's a heck of a lot easier than you may think.
Pitch the Script¡But Don't Forget The Money
Independent screenwriters, directors and producers are
fervently connected to their scripts and can pitch them
anywhere, at anytime. But can a creative pitch alone get
the film made?
It's very rare. Think about it. You're dealing with the M
word¡.MONEY! So, yeah, pitch your heart out. But, hey,
isn't it reasonable to learn some of the language of the
person you really want to work with? To my mind, that's
the only way to be credible in the eyes of the Financiers.
Remember that we're talking about INDEPENDENT
Film Financing and not about getting swept through the
red carpet of the major studios.
There's a two step process going on here:
1.Pitch the script
2.Create confidence that the film CAN be produced
within defined dollar limits.
Translate Creative Ideas Into 'Money Talk'
Being bright and creative is pretty much the norm in the
film industry. But, being bright and creative, AND
knowing how to translate creative ideas into 'money
talk' elevates you way ahead of the pack.
To deliver a good pitch, have answers to these key
questions about your screenplay:
- How you will achieve and produce your vision, yet still
stay within a predetermined budget.
- What's important about money in film production, and
what's not, and how to bring it up in the pitch.
- What are some of the 'Insider' secrets about film
budgeting and reporting that YOU can use to your
advantage?
- Regardless if you're a film director/
producer/screenwriter/ crew/ film student/ etc., film
budgets and cost reports have something to do with you
and your goals. Be prepared to bring this topic up when
you pitch your screenplay.
You get the idea. Learn to be familiar enough with the
costs of your script to defend it in the language of
money. Then, you'll be able to pitch your script in a very
powerful language - the language of MONEY.
Sign up for a series of seven articles - all only about 3 to
5 pages each which will give you insight into most of
your 'pitch the money' problems, at
http://www.talkfilm.biz .
Here are the article titles:
1. MAKING IT! In Film Production
2. Introduction to 'Directing the Money'
3. Translating Ideas Into 'Money Talk'
4. Your Participation In Above-the-Line Budgeting
5. Your Participation In Below-the-Line Budgeting
6. Your Report Card - The Internationally Recognized
Cost Report
7. Presentation of the Weekly Cost Report - It's As
Important As the Dailies
John Gaskin
With over 20 years experience and 40+ film
productions, John has worked with some of the
industries top professionals, including academy award
winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. John brings his
expertise to aspiring & established film professionals.
About the Author
John Gaskin opens the door to a closed topic in the film industry -MONEY! Learn the inside tips from a 20 year pro of over 40 film projects all over the world. To receive a series of 7 free artilces visit:
http://www.talkfilm.biz
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| Some other articles by John Gaskin | |
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