FILM FINANCE MASTER CLASS. The Pitch Packet

Transcription

1 FILM FINANCE MASTER CLASS The Pitch Packet

2 INTRODUCTION I ve put this template together for you to be able to create your own version of the Pitch Packet I used to raise $8,120,738 for my first film. The primary purpose of a Pitch Packet is to present potenual investors with something tangible a document that will bring your unique project to life, while also communicaung a focused plan to execute your vision. I recommend using visual cues as ozen as possible in your Pitch Packet. For example, I like to use artwork from the project (also known as the one- sheet or poster) as the cover page of my Pitch Packet. Don t worry if you haven t created artwork yet the important thing is to include images that are representauve of your project. Using photos throughout your Pitch Packet is a great way to add depth to the presentauon. Basically you want to include some type of visual informauon on as many pages of your Pitch Packet as possible. Each of the following pages represent a secuon of your Pitch Packet. The Cover Page secuon obviously doesn t need a label, but all other secuons should be labeled as they are below. In other words, the Contents and Logline secuons of your Pitch Packet should literally be labeled Contents and Logline. You may also want to include a logo for your project on each page. Your end result should be a Pitch Packet that can easily be printed/bound or ed. PresentaUon sozware such as Power Point or Keynote can be used to create the packet, but your finished document should be formabed as a PDF much like this template itself. A typical Pitch Packet will be roughly pages in length, but this will vary based on the elements of each specific project.

3 COVER PAGE As I menuoned above, I like to include the film logo, artwork, and producuon company informauon on the Pitch Packet cover page. If these materials don t exist yet, it s fine to create something more basic using your project Utle.

4 CONTENTS 1 Logline 2 Background 3 Story 4 Synopsis 5 Players Involved 6 Process 7 Contact

5 LOGLINE A logline is a brief summary of your project, used to convey the essence of your film. Your logline should provide both a synopsis of the plot, and an emouonal hook. The logline is one sentence long, but should be given a full page in your packet.

6 BACKGROUND This secuon gives the potenual investor some background informauon on your project. For example: What is your inspirauon to make this film? Is it based on a true story? Why do you want to tell this parucular story? What makes your project unique and/or commercially viable in the marketplace? The background secuon should be limited to one page in your packet.

7 STORY In this secuon, the goal is to provide an overview of your enure story in roughly 3-4 paragraphs. This is essenually an expanded version of your logline. This secuon should also be limited to one page.

8 SYNOPSIS Also known as a treatment, this is a full short- story version of your film. The synopsis is an important element that will give potenual investors an in- depth understanding of the story you re telling. This should be a condensed, but complete version of your film, broken down into 3 acts pages is generally a good length for your synopsis.

9 PLAYERS INVOLVED List key people involved with your project, and any abachments that could be helpful to the film or add value. Each person should have a biography with credits/qualificauons, as well as a photo. Here are some examples of people to include: Yourself Director Actors Producers Department heads with well known prior credits Director of Photography, ProducUon Designer, Costume Designer, CasUng Director, etc.

10 PROCESS Create a Umeline as discussed in Lesson 1. This is especially useful when approaching investors who have not tradiuonally been involved in the film industry. Your Umeline should detail the phases below, with bullet points covering each significant step within that phase. Phase 1: Development Phase 2: Pre- ProducUon Phase 3: ProducUon Phase 4: Post- ProducUon Phase 5: DistribuUon Of course, the specific steps within each phase will vary based on the needs of your individual project - but as an example, the following page should give you a good starung point to create your own PROCESS slide:

11 PROCESS Phase 1: Development Write Story Idea: Treatment Develop Script Abach Key Players: Producer, Writer, Director, CasUng Director Raise financing: Development and ProducUon Phase 2: Pre- ProducUon Polish script Abach cast: Make offers to Actors/Agents DistribuUon Procurement: Foreign Sales Agents and DomesUc DistribuUon Gap Financing by bank if necessary Phase 3: ProducUon Solidify shooung locauons Secure film crew ProducUon and Costume Design Shoot movie (specify number of days you plan to shoot) Phase 4: Post- ProducUon Edit movie Sound Design Visual Effects Phase 5: Theatrical Release (or whatever plamorms you plan to distribute on) DomesUc Theatrical DistribuUon Foreign Theatrical DistribuUon DVD Streaming TV Rights Investors see return on iniual investment

12 CONTACT Provide contact informauon for potenual investors to get involved with your project. This contact could be you, or an affiliated ProducUon Company or whomever will be in charge of providing further informauon to potenual investors.