Questions

WHAT IS THE GREAT AMERICAN PITCHFEST & SCREENWRITING CONFERENCE? The Great American PitchFest & Screenwriting Conference is a three-day event, connecting writers with Agents, Managers, Production Companies, and other industry professionals June 1 & 2 – dozens of free classes & panels, as well as several half day master classes ($50 each) and other events for writers.   June 3 – a full day of pitch meetings for writers with Agents, Managers, Production Companies, Investors, Distributors, & other industry professionals.

Before the event, you will receive an electronic copy of the Executive Directory, listing all of the companies who will be hearing pitches.  When you review this information, you can target specific companies to pitch.  On the Sunday of the event, you will have five minute, one-on-one meetings with the companies you have chosen.

Writers who have attended the GAPF have

• Had scripts optioned
• Signed with agents & managers
• Been hired as writers
• Developed coproduction partnerships
• Found writing and producing partners
• Created a support network & friendships with other writers, producers, directors, and industry professionals
• Made crucial industry contacts

Hollywood is about relationships.  During the GAPF, deals are struck, partnerships are formed, and writing careers are launched.  If you don’t know anyone in Hollywood, you certainly will by the end of the weekend.  Attending the Great American PitchFest & Screenwriting Conference is a life-changing event, and can be the

Writers, Producers, Directors, and anyone with a project to pitch should not miss out on this event. Even if you do not have a show to pitch, it is an opportunity to introduce yourself or your company, and begin the important process of building professional relationships.  If you want to learn how to write a script, pitch, or become a better writer, our classes are perfect for you.  There is no risk to attend, and dozens are offered free of charge.

June 1 - 3, 2012 Marriott Burbank Hotel & Convention Center 2500 N. Hollywood Way Burbank, CA 91505 June 1, Friday - Master Class June 2, Saturday – Master Classes, Free Classes & Screenwriting Conference June 3, Sunday - PitchFest Day

GREAT AMERICAN PITCHFEST: If you plan to pitch, please register early.  Only 500 tickets are available (no exceptions).  We sell out every year.  Click here to register. FREE CLASSES: If you want to RSVP for the free classes only, please click here.

All registration and events occur at the Marriott Burbank Hotel & Convention Center  (2500 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA  91505), June 1-3, 2012.  You only need to visit the registration desk if you have paid to attend the GAPF or any other paid events.  If you have RSVP’d for free classes, you simply go to your classes and do not require a badge. Friday, June 1, 2012  :  2pm - 8pm Saturday, June 2, 2012 :  8:30am - 6pm Sunday, June 3, 2012  :  8:30am - 6pm

Pick up your name tag and lanyard, as well as conference materials and complimentary goodie bags. Our team is ready and available to answer any questions you might have. You may also purchase tickets to the pitchfest, luncheon, private consultations, and any other events at the registration desk if still available (we encourage you to purchase online before tickets are sold out.) You only need to visit the registration desk if you have paid to attend the GAPF or any other paid events.  If you have RSVP’d for free classes, you simply go to your classes and do not require a badge.

No purchase or separate tickets needed for Free Classes. Anyone can attend the free classes.  You do not need to be registered for the Great American PitchFest to attend the free classes.  We ask that you please RSVP for the free classes so that we can update you on any schedule changes, and so we can plan for adequate seating.  Please RSVP by clicking here.   The only paid events are the half day master classes, the Screenwriter Smorgasbord Panel / Luncheon, the Executive Luncheon, Private Consultations and the PitchFest, which are all optional.  You can purchase ala carte tickets or passes to these events by clicking here.

Writing teams are welcome at the Great American PitchFest.  Each writer must be individually registered to attend.  Discounts of $100 are available to writing teams (maximum of two writers per team).  Both writers must be registered at the time of purchase.  Writing teams are welcome to pitch together, or separately throughout the event.  To register a writing team for the Great American PitchFest, click here.

No purchase or separate tickets needed for Free Classes. Writing teams and writing groups are all welcome to attend any of the free classes at the Great American PitchFest.  We ask that you please RSVP for the free classes so that we can update you on any schedule changes, and so we can plan for adequate seating.  Please RSVP by clicking here.

The Executive Contact Directory is published each year and distributed electronically to all GAPF participants.  It contains valuable information such as what each company is looking for, advice on how to approach their company, as well as Executive names and contact information.  It is an extremely valuable tool that is especially helpful when pitching because it helps writers identify which companies are the best fit for their scripts, and even more helpful later when contacting execs for follow up. Writers attending the GAPF are strongly encouraged to either print a copy of the directory, or to purchase a hard copy at the event.  Having a hard copy will help you to maximize your experience during the event.

No.  Only attendees of the GAPF can purchase an Executive Contact Directory.  We feel it is unfair to sell this information to others who have not attended the event.

Don't miss one of our most popular networking events, held on Sunday, June 3rd, where you dine with a table of industry execs for an entire hour, and enjoy a delicious, three course meal with your new best friends in the biz (Approximately 2-4 Execs and 2-4 Writers per table).  All 120 Executives attend this luncheon, with only 100 luncheon tickets available to writers..  You must be registered for the GAPF and have a lunch ticket to attend.  The luncheon sells out, so please purchase your ticket early to avoid disappointment.

We will be holding our largest trade show ever in the foyer of the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center - on Saturday, June 2, 2012 only.  Visit the various organizations and booths to see the latest services, support, and products available to screenwriters.  As always, various vendors will be there with discounts and specials on various books, products, software programs, and other screenwriting services.

Please email info@pitchfest.com if you are interested in having a booth at this year’s GAPF.  Our Tradeshow Coordinator will be in touch shortly.

At the PitchFest AND for the parties, we encourage participants to wear casual business wear (i.e. khaki pants). Dress “smart”. Please wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet and walking around for large parts of the day. It is not necessary to wear a suit or dress, although it is not inappropriate either. It is also common and acceptable for participants at PitchFest events to wear costumes that relate to the projects they are pitching (ie a Mad Scientist costume for a children’s science series), but we caution you against doing it if there is a risk of seriously distracting from your pitch.

Here are a few suggestions to make your pitching event as successful as possible:

1. Register and pick up your registration package early. Packages will be available at the Registration Desk of the Burbank Marriott Hotel & Convention Center (2500 N. Hollywood Way Burbank, CA 91505) starting Friday, June 1st from 2-8pm, as well as Saturday, June 2nd and Sunday, June 3rd from 8:30am-6pm during the event.
2. Attend as many training sessions as possible so you can apply what you learn to your pitch meetings.
3. Prioritize who you want to meet with; try to have at least two 'practice' pitch meetings with others before meeting with the person you want to meet with the most.
4. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You will be standing and walking a lot throughout this event.
5. Checklist of things to bring with you: lots of business cards, one-sheets, breath mints, bottled water, and snacks (powerbars, etc).
6. Be professional and positive at all times, especially in the lines. You never know if you are standing next to a potential co-producer or business partner.
7. Register your pitch, script, and/or idea with the Writer’s Guild, and seek legal advice about protecting the ownerships of your material/ideas.
8. Be sure to fill out a comment card and let us know what else we can do to make the Great American PitchFest even better

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! And please, let the PitchFest crew know if there is anything we can do to assist you.

There are two schools of thought on this. Using storyboards, dvd's, novels or graphic comic books, onesheets, and other visuals CAN HELP to capture the interest of the person you are pitching - especially if they are well done, and show your work in a professional and intriguing manner. However, they can also sometimes distract from forming a genuine connection with the person you are pitching. There is also a risk that technical difficulties (ie if you are trying to show a DVD on your laptop of a trailer, demo, or short film), could occur and have a negative impact on the impression you are trying to make. If you decide to bring a visual, make sure you practice incorporating it into your pitch so that you come across well polished and professional, and always be prepared with your pitch in the event that a technical malfunction does occur.

Absolutely! Onesheets, business cards, and similar items are often used as ‘selling tools’ and are a great way to present your material to a company. Although they are not necessary to a great pitch, you may choose to supplement your pitch meeting with a onesheet. Onesheets are similar to a ‘flyer’ or movie poster to communicate your concept in a one page sheet, or as a double-sided document. Many industry executives like onesheets because they provide a visual reference to your story or idea, and it makes it easier for them to then present to their colleagues and other executives when pitching it at the office or at a studio. It is important to note that no matter how polished and professional a business card, onesheet, or any other type of presentation document, it cannot replace a great script or pitch.

Many new writers are so concerned that their ideas will be stolen that they are hesitant to pitch, but film is a collaborative medium. Without sharing your ideas, your project will never get any further than your hard drive. Although we are not able to offer legal advice, we encourage and suggest you to seek legal counsel to ensure you are protected as much as possible.  The following basic efforts are in everyone’s best interest, and generally required before a company will even review your work: Register your material with the WGA. For pricing and other details, visit www.wga.org. You will also want to register your material with the Copyright office (www.copyright.gov). Maintain a paper trail to track who you pitched, what you discussed, what was submitted, and record dates for all activities (ie meetings, phone calls, etc.). For an extra layer of protection, you may choose to send material through a third party, such as an agent, manager, or entertainment attorney. This helps to ensure you have a witness who can back up your claim. All of the individuals you meet at the Great American PitchFest are professionals who are carefully screened, and it is highly unlikely that your script or idea would ever be ‘stolen’. The reputations and careers of these people would be at risk if they were to intentionally steal an idea. In addition, the cost of fighting a lawsuit would be much greater than simply buying your script and sticking it in a drawer.  Your best protection is to seek legal counsel, and at a minimum, follow our suggestions as indicated above.

Our companies are all carefully screened, and only the most credible companies in the industry are invited to hear pitches. They may include:

• Agents
• Managers
• Distributors & Sales Agents
• Production Companies
• Funding Organizations & Investors
• Broadcasters & Networks
• Studio Representatives

A full profile for each company is available online in advance of the PitchFest, and is also published and distributed to each participant at the event in an electronic booklet. A hard copy is available for purchase. This profile booklet outlines what each company has produced in the past, what they are looking for at present, specific information regarding stars they have relationships with, directors they work with, and a wide variety of other pertinent information. It is the most thorough such resource in the industry.

Invitations to the companies hearing pitches are sent out approximately six weeks before the event, and profiles are added to the website as they are completed. You can also view the companies who participated in last year's GAPF here. If you are interested in seeing a particular company attend, please let us know and we will make every effort to invite them. Please email us the name of any particular company you would like to see at the Great American PitchFest, and preferably a website, phone, fax number, and/or address if possible.

We pay each executive a $100 honorarium. We feel that it is appropriate to compensate these executives for giving up their Sunday to hear writers’ pitches. Just as we, as writers, expect to be treated professionally, and paid for our work, so should these executives.

Each year, we have approximately 100 - 130 companies who hear pitches at the PitchFest.  Most people pitch between 12-20 companies.  We want you to pitch as many companies as possible, which is why we limit attendance.  . If you strategize your day, take advantage of shorter lines and the luncheon, and all other networking events, it is possible to meet the majority of executives attending.  You may meet with as many companies as time allows.

At the Great American PitchFest, there is no signup process. You simply meet with as many companies as you wish, and whichever ones you choose. It's that simple. You just get in line and meet with whoever you wish. You pay one price which allows you full access to the pitchfest, where you can pitch as many companies as you like. Most people pitch between 12 - 20 meetings.

Generally each meeting is five minutes long in length. However, if the executive you are meeting with wants more time with you, they are welcome to meet with you as long as they wish. We simply 'hold the line' until the executive is ready for the next person.  Meetings can be as long as the executive wants them to be.

Not at all. For every five participants who attend the PitchFest, we invite another company to hear pitches. This guarantees that the lines are never very long. Because the ratio of participants to companies is low, this means you never have to wait very long to meet with anyone. Some companies may be more in demand than others, so their lines may become slightly longer, leaving other lines very short with minimum or no waits. As our registration grows, the number of invited companies is also increased so that lines are consistently short. Often, some of the most beneficial relationships are formed in these lines, providing further opportunities to network and seek potential co-producers.

Yes. Sometimes two or more people will want to pitch together (ie writing teams). They simply share a place in line, and then enter the pitching room together.

Anyone can attend dozens of free screenwriting classes with the industry's top screenwriters and educators in the business. There's no catch. They are absolutely free. You do not need to be registered for the pitchfest to attend, although those writers who have registered for the pitchfest are guaranteed priority seating. The free classes at the Great American PitchFest are our gift to other writers, to help nurture and develop the craft of screenwriting.  It is made possible thanks to the generosity of our excellent speakers, the vendors in our tradeshow, and the many Friends of the Great American PitchFest.

To see a list of the free classes offered this year, please click here.

To see a list of the Guest Speakers teaching this year, please click here.

You can meet private for a half hour meeting with one of our guest speakers. Ask them for advice, to review the first page of your script, or practice your pitch on them – whatever you like. It’s your meeting, so use it however you like. Private Consultations are available on a first purchased, first booked basis.

A list of this year’s Private Consultants will be posted soon.

Master Classes are half day (or evening) sessions with the best teachers in the business.  Past instructors have included industry leaders such as Robert McKee (“Robert McKee’s Story Seminar”), Syd Field (“Screenplay”), Dr. Linda Seger (Author, “Making A Good Script Great”), Blake Snyder (“Save The Cat”), Michael Hauge (Author, “Writing Screenplays That Sell”) and our very favorite, Pilar Alessandra (“On The Page”). Taking a half-day workshop with one of these masters will help you to elevate your craft, and master your own story.

Details are being finalized.  Coming soon!

Details are being finalized.  Coming soon!

Details are being finalized.  Coming soon!

Created by GAPF maven, Jen Grisanti, FRIDAY NIGHT DRINKS is a monthly LA networking tradition, connecting screenwriters and other industry professionals.  Co-sponsored by the Scriptwriters Network and Jen Grisanti, the Great American PitchFest is proud to host the June version of FRIDAY NIGHT DRINKS in the Daily Grill Lounge at the Marriott Burbank Hotel & Convention Center (2500 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA  91505) on Friday, June 1^st.  Make Friday Night Drinks a monthly addition to your networking schedule.  Whether you are taking classes, pitching, or none of the above, you are welcome to enjoy the camaraderie, food and drinks.

Snail Mail :     Twilight Pictures Inc. - U.S. 12400 Ventura Blvd. #735 Studio City, CA 91604 USA Twilight Pictures Inc. - Canada 3219 Collingwood Dr. N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2L 0R7 Canada Toll Free:        1-877-255-2528 Email:              info@pitchfest.com

We are a group of writers and producers dedicated to helping others to get their scripts and projects produced. Your success is also ours, and we are very proud to have helped many of our writers achieve their screenwriting goals.  Click here to learn more.