From the industry

I wanted to let you know that my webisode project that came to me through a pitch at last year's PitchFest has shifted into high gear. The two young writers have completed six episodes under my supervision and this week I put together a writing room with 8 experienced young writers to work on getting these scripts table ready. I have partnered with a producer - he's experienced in directing and producing commercials for Olgilvy & Mathers - and we are underway. Casting begins in March. We plan to shoot in April. This has been a thrilling creative experience for all of us and it all started at your fabulous Great Am. PitchFest. I thought you'd like to know.

~ Ellen Sandler, Co-Executive Producer & Emmy Nominee for 'Everybody Loves Raymond'

We have signed two writers we met at your PitchFest.

~ Anne-Marie LaMonde, The Howard Hill Agency

I have had follow up meetings with 12 writers who pitched me at the PitchFest and have forwarded 3 to my colleague for further development. We are matching them with producers we work with.

~ Janice Talbott, CHUM TV

At Signe's PitchFest, I've found more 'diamond in the rough' writers and scripts than anywhere else. The Great American PitchFest is simply the best PitchFest for writers and other production companies to attend.

~ Danny Manus, Clifford Werber Productions

Signe, you are the best! I cannot tell you how much fun I had this weekend. You did a fantastic job and took such good care of us. More importantly, the group of people (decision-makers, pitchers, organizers and volunteers) created such a positive energy and contributed to the success of the event. I look forward to the next one, please keep in touch. Thanks!

~ Erin Fredman, Imagine Entertainment

Thank you for an incredible week-end and PitchFest, I had a BLAST!!! So well organized and there were so many people walking on air last night thanks to you working so hard!! Can't wait to go to another one!

~ Aubrey Arnason, Screenwriter

Just wanted to let you know that I met a writer at the GAPF - Jim Curtis - and I've been working with Jim and his agent in London.

~ Christine Lynne, Producer, Goddess Productions

The Great American PitchFest is an excellent way to meet key people within the industry and get your story out there.

~ Adam Hislop, Writer

Great American PitchFest is, by far, the best of all the pitch events I've attended.

Excellent. I talked briefly to a producer. She asked me to pitch her my story and we have kept in touch since then.

~ Mary Dunkerly, Writer

You can add "One script optioned" to your tally for the PitchFest. It's a great event and it's proven itself out to me from the very first one I attended. Please keep up the GREAT work!

~ T. W. Hague

This was the best pitch event I've attended. Very well organized, very friendly, and very respectful of our needs and our place in the business.

~ Chris Armogida, Rogue Pictures / Focus Features

The Great American PitchFest is a fantastic networking resource to help screenwriters pitch their ideas, open doors and have an opportunity to meet industry professionals.

~ Monika Skerbelis, ES Entertainment

I love Signe and her team! This was the best turnout of pitches and seminar went well. Very organized and fun.

~ Tim Crescenti, Small World International

Always a first class operation. Well run and organized.

~ Alan Kaplan, Producer, Cine LA

I gotta say, this is the best run PitchFest in town.

~ Danny Manus, Clifford Werber Productions

Dear Signe, I was astounded at the organization of the PitchFest. Gosh, with that ability, maybe you can take over the Iraq War and fix it for us Americans!

~ Linda Seger

This is the #1 PitchFest to attend. It's writer-friendly, well-organized and not only gives you the opportunity to 'meet and greet' Hollywood, but provides the tools and private practice sessions that help you to make those opportunities productive and positive! Several of my clients walked away with requests for scripts and meetings as a result!

~ Kathie Fong Yoneda, Former Disney Exec & Author, 'The Script Selling Game'

This year's PitchFest was absolutely awesome!!

It's wonderful to have participated for the past 3 years - to watch the growth and hear the praise from other participants on how organized and professional the PitchFest is run.

Thanks, again, for putting together the greatest PitchFest in the world!!

~ Christine Lynne, Writer-Producer-Manager, GODDESS PRODUCTIONS

Signe & Bob, congratulations again. You are both amazing and you do the most incredible job of organizing. I'm just so impressed with how you manange to get every detail right-the twizlers pick me up was inspired-and still stay charming warm and wonderful throughout. I especially appreciate not having to run around trying to figure out how to get my parking reimbursed, the lovely lunch-waiter service!-and a drink and munchies after all is over. So thoughtful and supportive. You make everyone feel appreciated. You are just the best!

~ Ellen Sandler

Signe, Bob, Lorene & GAPF staff:

I hope you can see me standing up & giving you a much-deserved standing ovation on the best-ever PitchFest! Attendees had smiles on their faces & I know in speaking with my colleagues, we felt everything went quite smoothly - organization is such a hallmark of yours, Signe!

Please know that I will always come back to teach, speak or consult for your PitchFests - it is a pleasure to do so because everything runs smoothly & everyone is so friendly & welcoming & willing to help out. Your staff works hard, but has such a warm & approachable attitude - I personally observed the gals working the private consultations...they did much to calm the nervous writers & to give them encouragement! I don't always see that at other such events! So please know that I am never more than a phone call or email away & will always "be there" to help you out in whatever way I can!

Our interview with Barbara Bitela of ES Agency (Monica, Karl & myself) went well & Barbara was very complimentary about how the speakers are "real people" & not the stereotypical Hollywood "egotist". By the way, Karl & Monica had never met, but the opening presentation (Write It! Pitch It! Work It!) ran smoothly & judging from the number of writers who came up to us during the day, we must have done well, with many of them commenting on how it seemed like the 3 of us had known each other for a long time & that it was great to get "inside" knowledge since the 3 of us had worked at production companies & studios.

Signe, you, Bob & Lorene are just amazing! I know these events don't run by themselves & that there are always so many details & last minute things that need to be juggled, but no one would even know that from the outside! Congratulations on your sell-out...I KNOW it's the first of many more to come!

~ Kathie Fong Yoneda, Former Disney Exec & Author, 'The Script Selling Game'

I am happy to report Pyramid Productions secured a deal to produce three pilot episodes of a new series on crime and forensic psychiatry called The Criminal Mind. Production is underway and the series is scheduled to begin Fall, 2004. This from a pitch that began at PitchFest.

~ Larry Day, Producer, Pyramid Productions

We optioned a project from someone and have now developed it into a co-production.

~ Angela Lee, Letnom Productions (Montel Williams Company)

I signed three writers and am still thinking about others. I have placed all three projects with industry executives who can help make their careers.

~ Max Freedman, Agent

I thought you did a wonderful job with the PitchFest. It seemed like the participants really got a lot out of it! Everyone seemed to pitch to a lot of different companies. It really showed that you and your team had done everything to ensure that the entire experience was a smooth one. I’d love to participate again.

~ Ian Moore, David Kirschner Productions (Stuart Little, Secondhand Lions)

We're seriously considering a project called "XXX" by XXX and his writing partner. It is at treatment stage and is something we're keen on developing into a feature length project.

~ Deborah Goodwin, Director of Development, Sanford Pillsbury (How to Make An American Quilt, Desperately Seeking Susan)

Very well organized, well prepared pitchers. . I found your set up to be much more accessible to the pitchers and everyone seemed pleased with the event. I heard some really great pitches and especially appreciate the training you provide that helps people learn ‘how to pitch’. I can honestly say that I've attended other PitchFests, and this one is far and away the best run.

~ Keith Dinielli, Original Films (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Sweet Home Alabama)

Congratulations on the successful launch of a new initiative.

~ Joanne Levy, A-Channel

This is the vehicle for new writers and industry players! I hope that you continue with this venture as I see it becoming a staple of our Canadian industry.

~ Anne-Marie Lamonde, Howard Hill Talent Agency

I have heard such great things from some of the attendee’s of your marvelous PitchFest here in Los Angeles. Thank you for all the great efforts you put forth to bring this great experience to these people and for putting together what could very well be the ‘birth’ of the next great blockbuster...

~ Starcraft Talent

It was a pleasure appearing at the event and I found everyone associated with it to be very helpful and professional. Thank you for the opportunity.

~ John Scott Lewinski - Entertainment Manager

We really were impressed and appreciated how very organized and clear your event was. We do many of these and your was quite refreshing. We’ve signed a couple writers from your event, and have hired them for writing assignments.

~ Jenz Bergren, KEN GROSS MGT.

Professional, well-coordinated and enjoyable in every way.

~ David Freedman, Agent, Hollywood View

At the risk of gushing, I just wanted to thank you for inviting me to work with you on this year's Pitch Fest. It was by far the most organized, well thought out event that I've attended.

~ Pilar Alessandra, Script Consultant & Guest Speaker

It was the best PitchFest I have been involved with.

~ Paul Bennett, PB Management

I heard nothing but great buzz from everyone including pitchers and companies about how well run the event is. You truly put on the best PitchFest around. In fact, I remember XXX saying she won't do most PitchFest's anymore as they don't compare to the event you put on and they don't take care of there people like you do. All the companies speak so highly of you and the work you do so you should be so very proud of yourself, you really do put on a fantastic event for all.

~ Jeff Davison, Director

This PitchFest was by far the best organized, and most beneficial pitch fest I've ever seen. The ratio of companies to participants was very high, the process of pitching was simple and smooth, and lots of participants got their material requested. I strongly recommend this event for anyone with a project ready to market.

~ Michael Hauge, Author of the best seller, "Writing Screenplays That Sell"