Pitch, Please

How to pitch a TV show or movie like a pro

“How do I pitch to Netflix?”

That’s the number one question I get asked on social media. (A close second is “How do I get an agent or manager?” but that’s for another post.)

The funny thing about the Netflix question is that it can be read two different ways.

The first is “How do I pitch to Netflix?” as in, “How do I get in the room to pitch them my idea"?”

The second is “How do I pitch to Netflix?” as in, “How do I structure my pitch?”

Not to worry. I’ve got answers for both!

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1.) “How do I pitch to Netflix?” aka “How do I get in the room?”

Truthfully, the answer is that, unless you have:

• An agent and/or a manager

  OR

• Someone already known in the industry (think a producer or significant piece of talent) who is attached to your project…

…you will probably not get the opportunity to pitch to Netflix.

Yet.

Are there exceptions? Of course!

• Maybe you have a friend who’s a Netflix exec!

• Maybe you had a crazy real-life experience and Netflix approaches you to tell your story!

• Maybe your dad is Ted Sarandos!

But, when you’re working full time at your regular job and also trying to pursue your dream career by writing in the mornings and on the weekends…

…You don’t have the time to count on being the exception.

You need to know what’s going to give you the best chance of actively moving the needle forward in your screenwriting journey so you can focus your limited time on that thing.

And, unless you already have the right components to get you into the room, that thing is your script and not your pitch.*

(*Now, that does NOT mean you shouldn’t have a clear idea of what “the show” of your script is. In a future post, I’ll break down how to write a one or two pager that can act as an elevator pitch for your larger series.)

But, a good sample is what unlocks the door to people in the industry…

…the kind of people who, when attached to your project, ensure that you get to pitch to Netflix!

But, what if you’re already in a position to pitch? That brings us to the second question…

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2.) “How do I pitch to Netflix?” aka “How do I structure my pitch?”

Well, I’d say you’re in luck because I have a YouTube video on exactly this topic!

In the video, I walk you through an actual pitch I wrote and took out to production companies and studios. The project didn’t sell, but the pitch was pretty freaking great, if I do say so myself. But, you can be the judge of that… give it a watch!

And, if you want my feedback on your own “elevator pitch…”

…I’m hosting a logline webinar, next Wednesday, 8/30.

Limited to 20 writers, and every person is guaranteed feedback! Sign up now!