GR Screenwriters Group
Pitching Tips
for the emerging screenwriter
Mark Winzer
I LOVE MOVIES!
Emerging Screenwriter
Completed first feature screenplay in 2007
Won 13 International Film Festival Screenwriting
Competitions/Awards
Optioned three screenplays in 2010 to Los
Angeles based producers while living in West
Michigan and without a talent agent
In January 2011, began writing full-time
Who I am not
Entertainment Attorney
Accountant
Industry Expert
Selling or endorsing any
product or service
Discussion Topics
Getting your work read by industry
professionals
Selling your work without an agent
Building your Network
The Pitch
Finding Inspiration
The Writer’s Team
Talent Agent
Entertainment
Attorney
Manager
Script
Consultant
The Cost to Sell a Script
Spec Sale: $100,000
Agent (10%) $10,000
Manager (10%) $10,000
Attorney (5%) $5,000
*Federal Taxes (28%) $21,000
*MI Taxes (10.5%) $7,885
$46,115
*estimates
Minus Overhead: Accountant, Script Consultant, Website, Travel, Office
Expenses, Aspirin, Rolaids & lots of Coffee, etc., etc.,
Writer Hierarchy
Produced
Writer
Optioned Writer
Award Winning Writer
Getting your work read by industry
professionals
Script Consultants
Film Festivals Screenplay
Competitions
Screenplay Contests
Talent Agents/Managers
Your Network
Script Consultants
Typical Price Range $100---$2000
Pilar Alessandra
Gordy Hoffman
Erin Chapman
Film Festival & Contest Criteria
How will this festival or contest move my writing career forward?
1. Venues to expand my network
2. Table Readings or Live Performance by
Professional Actors
3. Small # of “Finalists”
4. Media Exposure
5. Feedback or Script Analysis
Film Festivals & Contests
Submission Fees range from $25---$150
Without a Box
Cinequest Film Festival
Action On Film
International Family Film Festival
Female Eye Film Festival
California Independent Film Festival
Waterfront Film Festival
Beverly Hills Film Festival
Indie Producer Contest
Wildsound Contest
Screenwriters Expo
Build Your Network
Screenwriting is a networking business…
If “Pitching” is really just “Selling”,
what is the basis of all buying decisions?
•Emotion
Tools that should be in your
“Pitch Tool Box”
30 Second Presentation
One Page Leave Behind
Treatment
Query Letter
Writing Resume
Visual Medium
Mock Poster
You Tube
Website
Social Media
One Page Leave Behind Sample
QOV One Page.docx
Query Letter Sample
QOV Query letter.docx
Writing Resume Sample
Writing Resume Mark Winzerpdf.pdf
Non Traditional “Tools”
Mock Poster
You Tube
Website
Social Media
Writing Inspiration
The Question
The Answer
The Theme
“The Interview”
Q. How will we end the war on terror? Will it end
through diplomacy or military action?
LOG: An international reporter arranges an
unprecedented interview with the leader of a
terrorist organization that could begin a dialogue
for peace, but discovers her trusted cameraman is
a covert agent sent to assassinate him.
A. Neither and Both.
Theme: Absolute views are polarizing and
dangerous.
“Ripples”
Q. Would an ordinary person be willing to
kill someone to save the life of a stranger?
LOG: A traveling businessman encounters
an abducted teen in a Brazilian brothel. Is it
too late to save her life? Is it too late to
save his soul?
A. Yes
Theme: Redemption
“Queen of Vengeance”
Q. Is there a justification for war and can
that justification be exceeded?
LOG: A passionate leader, a loving
mother…and the slayer of 70,000. Based on
the true life of Queen Boudicca. 61 AD.
A. yes, the justification of war can be
exceeded.
Theme: Wrath is an empty pursuit.
Books that really help
“Riding the Alligator” by Pen Densham
“SAVE THE CAT” by Blake Snyder
“The Screenwriters Problem Solver”
by Syd Field
“Aristotle’s Poetics for Screenwriters”
by Michael Tierno
“Story” by Robert McKee
Thank you!