The problem with loglines
Tell me if this sounds familiar.
Someone says “oh, you’re a filmmaker? What are you working on?”
You get excited, start talking about your next film, they nod politely but then you never hear from them again.
I don’t care if it’s someone who could give you money, a potential crew member, or a dog. It fucking sucks!
Especially when you have no idea what you’re doing wrong. Today we’re gonna cover my “Have you ever” technique for pitching that actually gets the other person invested in what you have to say.
Enjoy.
– Curt
I like this video, I struggled a lot to show that I have a good script, I did a short film very similar to the film Split and now I am laughing that I had the same idea but no one even care. I know I am capable of something very good and matter what I will make it. The problem is that I am a writer and do a speech it is sometimes a little hard for me, the same is to get an investor.
Getting an investor to invest is one of the hardest parts and actually knowing where to look can be even harder. The former requires pitching, and the latter requires searching. I know you’re signed up on our email list, and we’re sending some stuff out soon JUST on this topic. Thanks Indira
It’s very encouraging all that, but to it in reality it’s scaring.
What do you mean?
Have you ever met someone that you wish you can have a sit down with but can’t get to them well that someone is you. Thanks for the great video!
You can always sit down with me and the team. If you’re in Toronto. And if I have time. Reply to my emails, I check each one!
Great advice Curt. I’m currently in Paris having meetings with French production companies hoping to find a French production partner for my first feature FATHERS DAY. We have a co-pro partner in Mexico and have begun the Canadian application process. Here’s my pitch…
“What would you do if your child began killing people? Just because they’re an adult, are they now society’s problem? Or do you as a parent still bear some responsibility for their actions? FATHERS DAY is the story of a loving father who is driven by his conscience and sense of responsibility to track down his serial killer son in the hopes of preventing his boy from harming another living soul.” What do you think Curt? Thanks…. James
I think it gets people’s attention, now you just gotta be careful of who you’re talking to because that’s a very “triggering” thing to say. And I hate political correctness! I’d adjust the first line OR I’d pre-screen the person to find out if they’d be receptive to such a pitch, by asking them what types of movies they like (and if it’s dark and edgey, you know you’re onto something).
But then you don’t want to miss the other half of your audience that might get “triggered” so I’d develop twp pitches. One is your regular, and then one that is toned down (for the people who’s favorite film is Toy Story).
Good job man.
-Curt
your https://indiefilmto.com/pitch is not working. it is down. this is a problem, let’s here about your solution heh heh 🙂
Our site is having some MAJOR issues right now and should up to normal in April. That said, I checked out the link and it should work! Do you want me to add your name to the waitlist? Our Pitch Your Film course is closed and we don’t sell to the public.
British Horror Comedy movie idea for you Curt!
In the sleepy village of Quinthom Dassett, the locals vote in favour of a local Badger cull in return for remuneration of funds for the Village hall. However after a poor hunt return the marksmen try the gas the Badgers to speed up proceedings, however instead of dying the Badgers introduce to the villagers what it is like the be culled!
AKB – A culls a’ cumin
wow, this video is so helpful. you know what curt? i always go direct to tell people the solution and what am doing is about because i believe they have no time to talk for too long but now i know its wrong. thanks man i love you and what you do and i want to someday come down to Canada
1. Have you ever taken a deep look into the society and wonder the menace of societal decadence? well that’s one aspect my film is focused.
2. Our world today is faced with so many war related challenges, technology being a major cause, am sure you will want to know why technology? yet another aspect my film is focused.
3. It is so disheartening that what is supposed to be a cord of togetherness is turned into a curse and so national unity is threatened; religion is dividing us, ethnicity is fast breaking us and tribalism and racism separates us, this is another aspect my film is focused.
4. Have you ever wondered why the streets are so occupied with the beggarly with no one doing nothing to even reach out? love is missing and this is one thing my film is targeted.
5 Have you ever considered that gap between parenthood and their children? it affects the children in the long run. my film is focused on addressing this.
Hey Curt, that’s my 5 statement problems from the video on pitch. Go through and let me see where and how i need to improve the more. Hear from you soon
Number 4 is the best (if your audience is the majority of people that live downtown in cities)
The others are too wordy, make sure to use everyday language that your audience would use. Very few people say “i’m so disheartened” instead they might say “I really hate it that…”
These are my five problem statements:
1. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a king, be a ruler of your own empire. And no am not talking about king the way rappers say “oh am the king….”no am talking about you being in charge of a nation state. You being a sovereign, not having to worry about being arrested, or being taxed. That’s what my movie is about. Emerson is a wealthy person who creates his own state.
2. Immigration, some people think it’s a positive others think it’s a negative. What if the people moving had a new advanced nation that wanted, no needed new arrivals. Emersonia is a nation that will take in lots of dreamers, thinkers and achievers. They will come from all over the world, from America both North and South, Europe, Asia and of course Africa.
3. Africa has a problem of poverty, many people lack access to basic things like clean water and food. Africa also has a large youth population. These young people will need a lot of jobs. This is what my movie is about, creating an economic engine in the middle of Africa. Africa has some of the fastest growing economies in the world; all they need is a little push to get to that set off stage. With Emersonia, we are creating a manufacturing hub, a tourist hub and a source of credit and capital for the fast growing economies of Africa.
4. Have you ever gone through a divorce or watched a friend go through it? If you so, what did you think? The court system taking away someone’s right to see his children is not right. This doesn’t just affect men, women earn a lot of money and might not want to share their property with an ex-partner. In my movie I talk about marriage law. Marriage law has nothing to do with property law, so when two people get married or divorced it doesn’t change their wealth.
5. The world has a problem of over exploitation of resources. Whether it is water, land or air. We are polluting our natural environment to the point that it might not sustain us anymore. Maybe we need a new home. My movie talks about going to space and making a permanent settlement there.
At first I was thinking #1 wasn’t good but then you added the “And no, not rapper..etc” but it’s still not quite hitting the mark. You want to test these and LOOK at people. Look if they’re nodding. Learn to tell the difference between actual rapport and polite nodding.
Of all of them, number 4 is the best. It’s one that almost anyone can relate to, and it strikes at their core. Test it and let me know your results.
I watched this video and instantly felt stupid. It’s such basic information I should already know, but I didn’t know any of it! I neglected the most important rule of potential networking: “How can my product improve their life? Why should they care?”
THANK YOU!
Thank you.
FOR A PROCEDURAL 1-HR DRAMA TV SERIES:
“The God-King comes to earth disguised as a carpenter and travels the kingdom to help people with his superpowers. Some search for him, some run from him, no one is ever the same.”
I struggle with pitching my script. This video really shed light on changes that I can make to get better.