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GR Screenwriters Group

GR Screenwriters Group. Pitching Tips f or the emerging s creenwriter. Mark Winzer. I LOVE MOVIES! Emerging Screenwriter Completed first feature screenplay in 2007 Won 13 International Film Festival Screenwriting Competitions/Awards

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GR Screenwriters Group

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  1. GR Screenwriters Group Pitching Tips for the emerging screenwriter

  2. 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

  3. Who I am not • Entertainment Attorney • Accountant • Industry Expert • Selling or endorsing any product or service

  4. Discussion Topics • Getting your work read by industry professionals • Selling your work without an agent • Building your Network • The Pitch • Finding Inspiration

  5. The Writer’s Team

  6. 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.,

  7. Writer Hierarchy

  8. Getting your work read by industry professionals • Script Consultants • Film Festivals Screenplay Competitions • Screenplay Contests • Talent Agents/Managers • Your Network

  9. Script Consultants • Typical Price Range $100---$2000 • Pilar Alessandra • Gordy Hoffman • Erin Chapman

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. Build Your Network • Screenwriting is a networking business…

  13. If “Pitching” is really just “Selling”,what is the basis of all buying decisions? • Emotion

  14. 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

  15. One Page Leave Behind Sample • QOV One Page.docx

  16. Query Letter Sample • QOV Query letter.docx

  17. Writing Resume Sample • Writing Resume Mark Winzerpdf.pdf

  18. Non Traditional “Tools” • Mock Poster • You Tube • Website • Social Media

  19. Writing Inspiration • The Question • The Answer • The Theme

  20. “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.

  21. “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

  22. “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.

  23. 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

  24. Thank you!

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