Pitch Clinic Update

As you (hopefully) know already, there's a great opportunity for filmmakers to learn the art of successfully 'pitching' screen projects to financiers at this year's forum 'Pitch Clinic'. Paul Harris talked to Forum panelist Pamela Wilson-Endrina on his RRR show, a former entertainment lawyer who spent ten years working in the USA, helping to operate a film investment arm of a larger banking company.

Paul: Do you have any view on how films are produced in Australia? 

Pamela: When I came back to Australia, one thing that struck me was the lack of formal education in the packaging and understanding of screen business... as opposed to actually making [films]. 

What makes a pitch attention-worthy? 

(1) As a financier the most important thing is whether you like the person... If you don't like them, don't work with them... (2) Be interested in what they're pitching... (3) [The pitcher] needs to demonstrate their understanding of their audience and how commercial their proposition. 

How long does the ideal pitch take? 

I wouldn't go any more than ten to fifteen... at the ten to twelve minute mark you see their eyes to glaze over... If you haven't got them asking questions and being active in the first five minutes, you're in trouble.  

In response to Wilson-Endrina's anxieties about the state of Australian screen pitching, she's established a short course at Victoria University's Sir Zelman Cowen Centre which not only includes information for successful pitching, but everything in screen business -- from international co-producing to understanding the paradigms of marketing and distribution. 'Pitch Clinic' will be a snapshot of the business of filmmaking with Endria-Wilson alongside a panel of Industry experts who will give invaluable advice for emerging to established practitioners, looking to find funding for their screen dreams.

Also on the panel is John Endrina -- who worked with his wife in the screen investment firm while they were based in the USA -- and Alan Finney, the esteemed chair of the Australian Film Institute (AFI) who formely acted as Vice President and Managing Director of Bueno Vista International (now Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures).

An opportunity to have access to such experienced Industry experts is very rare, so we recommend you come along and make the most of it!

'Pitch Clinic' is the first Filmmaker Development Forum, and will be held at Forum Hall on Wednesday, May 23rd -- 6pm to 7.30pm   

Kthxbai
Intern 101