Can a creative pitch alone get your script produced? Screenplaying is an art that is much talked about, included in college curricula, and praised by pop culture. But, there is a big missing factor in creative pitches. It’s fundamental; but widely ignored by key creative people.

For over 20 years I have been employed by Film Financiers (Studio Exec’s, Bonding Companies, etc.) to monitor their investment during film production. I’ve also had more than a couple of independent filmmakers ask me to help get their film off the ground. So, I’ve been rubbing elbows with the elusive Film Financier (of one stripe or another) for some time.

Creative writers, directors, and filmmakers, especially when they are new to the filmmaking game, conceive of finding the money to create wonderful scripts, like apples falling from a tree. ‘I’m afraid not. Making movies is as much about money as it is about creativity.

The person you’re pitching to may be wearing blue jeans and topsiders, but they’re still a financier (or their immediate superior is). When you present your script, think: I am investigating the cold heart of a banker.

Learn to become familiar enough with the costs of your script to defend it in the language of money. You can then look any Studio Exec in the eye and say what it says in your language.

But, you say, I am creative! What do I know about money, financing, accounting, and, and… Cheer up. It is much easier than you think.

Present the script… but don’t forget the money
Independent writers, directors, and producers are passionately connected to their scripts and can submit them anywhere, anytime. But can a creative pitch alone make the movie?

It’s very rare. Think about it. You’re dealing with the M word… MONEY! So yeah, throw your heart out. But hey, isn’t it reasonable to learn some of the language of the person you really want to work with? In my opinion, that is the only way to be credible in the eyes of financiers. Remember that we are talking about INDEPENDENT Film Financing and not about getting carried away on the red carpet of the big studios.

Here is a two-step process:

1. Submit the script

2. Create confidence that the film CAN be produced within the defined monetary limits.

Translate creative ideas into ‘money talk’

Being bright and creative is pretty much the norm in the film industry. But, being bright and creative, AND knowing how to translate creative ideas into ‘money talk’ lifts you far ahead of the rest.

To give a good presentation, have answers to these key questions about your script:

– How you will achieve and deliver your vision, and still stay within a predetermined budget.

– What is important about money in film production and what is not, and how to bring it up.

– What are some ‘Insider’ secrets on film budgeting and reporting that YOU can use to your advantage?

– Regardless of whether you are a director/producer/screenwriter/crew/film student/etc., movie budgets and cost reports have something to do with you and your goals. Be prepared to bring up this topic when you present your script.

You get the idea. Learn to become familiar enough with the costs of your script to defend it in the language of money. Then you will be able to present your script in a very powerful language: the language of MONEY.

Sign up for a series of seven articles, all 3-5 pages each, that will give you insight into most of your ‘throwing the money’ problems, at http://www.talkfilm.biz.

These are the article titles:

1. DO IT! in film production

2. Introduction to ‘Directing the Money’

3. Translate ideas into ‘money talks’

4. Your share of the budget above the line

5. Your share of the budget below the line

6. Your Report Card: The Internationally Recognized Cost Report

7. Filing the Weekly Cost Report – It’s Just as Important as the Daily

(Copyright 2005)