Pitch Worksheet Skill
Invocation Triggers
Apply this skill when:
- Developing a story concept into a pitchable form
- Preparing for pitch meetings
- Clarifying story structure before writing
- Testing if a concept has commercial viability
The Pitch Mindset
Life's a pitch, and then you try! Pitching can create opportunities that you never dreamed of. Pitches don't always work - in fact, most of the time they don't. However, as a screenwriter you should always be ready to pitch your exciting, wonderful story ideas.
Remember: Always COPYRIGHT your pitches, scripts and treatments! You can't really protect an idea, but you can make it a unique creation in your copyrighted work.
The Pitch Worksheet
Logline
What is your story about? Keep it brief! (1-2 sentences maximum)
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Genre
Try to stick to one, but keep it simple if you mix genres.
PRIMARY: _______________ / SECONDARY: _______________
The 3 Main Characters
Include the enemy/foe.
1. _____________________________________________
(Role: Protagonist / Antagonist / Supporting)
Brief description:
2. _____________________________________________
(Role: Protagonist / Antagonist / Supporting)
Brief description:
3. _____________________________________________
(Role: Protagonist / Antagonist / Supporting)
Brief description:
Act 1: Setup
Introduce us to your main character. Tell us how they live; introduce your other characters. Tell us the moment where their life changes - that moment when nothing will be the same for them ever again - that moment that sets them on their journey.
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Act 2: Confrontation
Intensify the conflict, the journey - but be brief. What stands in their way? Tell us the moment when they are the furthest from their goal.
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Act 3: Resolution
Tell us the ending.
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Turning Points
Those flashes that change the direction of your story.
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________
Most Cinematic Scenes
The ones you can really "Visualize."
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________
The B-Story
Your secondary plot.
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Revised Logline
After all is said and done, maybe you feel different. Refine your logline.
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Verbal Pitch Guidelines
One-Minute Pitch Exercise
Come up with a one-minute pitch of your favorite movie. When the movie is reduced to a short pitch, what are the important points? Which lines, which events, which moments hold the story together?
Rehearsal Tips
- Don't memorize it: This will only make it sound rehearsed
- Sell the story: As if you were telling a friend about an exciting event that just happened
- Show enthusiasm: Your passion for the project should be evident
- Know your audience: Tailor the pitch to who you're speaking with
Pitch Structure Formula
[GENRE] about [PROTAGONIST] who [SETUP/STATUS QUO]
until [INCITING INCIDENT] forces them to [GOAL].
But [OBSTACLE/ANTAGONIST] [CONFLICT].
Now they must [STAKES/DECISION] or else [CONSEQUENCES].
Examples
- Raiders of the Lost Ark: "An archeologist is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis."
- Gladiator: "A Roman general is betrayed and his family killed by an insane emperor. Now a gladiator, he comes to Rome for revenge."
Validation Checklist
- Logline is 1-2 sentences max
- Genre is clearly defined
- 3 main characters identified with clear roles
- Act 1 establishes protagonist and inciting incident
- Act 2 shows escalating conflict and low point
- Act 3 delivers satisfying resolution
- Turning points are dramatic and visual
- B-story complements main plot
- Can pitch verbally in under 2 minutes
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