Do you have a question that you’d like to have answered by a longtime Hollywood literary agent? Send it in!
Question: (Johnny B. Dunne)
My question is, do you believe video pitches are a worthwhile effort? I know some pitching companies have sprung up selling their services of building video pitches, but didn’t know if it truly holds value.
Answer: (Michele Wallerstein)
I don’t really think that any major Hollywood producers will want to have projects pitched to them on video. Producers only take pitches from writers with whom they are familiar. Either the producers or their development executives would have to have read the writer’s work prior to letting them pitch any new project.
New writers need to get their screenplays looked at through the more conventional methods of query letters, referrals and by going to pitch fests, film festivals, writers conferences and writers groups that have guest speakers and/or panels. The best way is to make a contact at those events and follow up with a thank you letter which would include a brief paragraph about your project. Some events such as the pitch fests give you a marvelous opportunity to pitch directly to the right people.
Show business is a business of contacts, connections and human interactions. Make those personal meetings count with a great, upbeat, and positive manner when you pitch your project.
Michele Wallerstein is a Screenplay & Novel & Career Consultant and author of “MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent’s Guide To Your Writing Career“.
Web site: www.novelconsultant.com
