A2 pitch preparation

1. AA22 PPIITTCCHH PPRREEPPAARRAATTIIOONN
A PITCH IS…?
A presentation of a proposal, typically to a funding agency or potential client (artist, record label).
A summary of what the idea is, why/how it will appeal to that artist’s audience, steps taken to research
practical requirements like costume, locations.
FORMAT:
A video to illustrate your proposal and research into this; either record a voiceover or speak over this as a
background video. Use this document to make + organise notes, including noting which group member/s will
tackle each point, and when.
THEMES TO ADDRESS
THE ARTIST/TRACK + THEIR AUDIENCE
Which artist/track + why did you choose this?
What genre/s are this act?
Sum up, with clear + specific evidence, their primary audience, and a realistic secondary audience.
Cover versions and especially media appearances are very useful for identifying target audience/s: if your act
appeared in a magazine look online for a publisher’s description of that mag’s audience (they need to provide
this for advertisers), or use a Wiki search for a media outlet to see if you can find a summary of this.
Address the audio: does it have enough variation of pace? Any other potentially useful features?
Is there an existing video – is it influencing your idea?
THE IDEA, SYNOPSIS.
Literally in one sentence, sum up your idea.
Break it down in more detail using Todorov, Propp and other relevant narrative theorists.
INFLUENCES
What influences from specific existing videos will your video reflect?
KEY CHARACTERS: REPRESENTATION, COSTUME
Describe your main narrative character/s, and list any extras needed.

2. Address how you’ll counter/stereotype them (usually a combination). Its useful for a modern youth audience
to have some countertyping, and will help with your evaluation and exam too. Consider uses and
gratifications here too.
Note any considerations (challenging parts) for casting.
What props and costume/s will you ideally assemble (try to match up to references from any other
videos/media, but especially genre examples). Any make-up requirement?
Is there a budget requirement?
PERFORMANCE, REPRESENTATION
How many performers, for what roles? What characteristics are you after; what might make these roles
challenging?
What props, costume, make-up (it’s advisable to plan some for this) will you ideally incorporate? Any issues
in getting these? Address verisimilitude, including performer body language requirements, and practical
means of training your performers on this.
How are you signifying (sub-)genre? Challenging conventions on this in any way? Try to apply sub-culture +
cultural capital theories here. Its crucial that you reflect some initial genre research here, and also clear
research into your act’s existing videos.
LOCATION SCOUTING
List the shoots you plan to undertake. Highlight or separately list the location types required. Briefly evidence
any ideas on where these might be, including any locations scouted and rejected. Film when scouting; speak
to camera and explain why you dis/like that location as a possible choice.
Note any potential set-dressing, including props, for each location.
Note any practical issues, especially access and permission, but also lighting and space to frame good shot
variety.
HEALTH + SAFETY
List any potential issues, eg food (allergies) for cast; driving/public transport; electrics.
SECONDARY TEXTS: WEBSITE, DIGIPAK, SOCIAL
What additional videos, photos etc will you produce for these? How will you clearly brand all 3 texts (and
accompanying social media)? How will website/digipak reflect the video?
Is there a viral idea? That means some element of audience interaction: eg a poster or something seen in the
video which can be downloaded by fans who film or photograph themselves with this stuck up somewhere
where they’d like the band to perform; a competition for fan-videos of lipsynching and/or dancing to a certain
track (maybe to feature in the next video) etc. Viral means UGC that can be easily shared online (so can
potentially go viral).
SUM UP

3. Why is this a strong idea – what factors will make this impactful and successful; appeal to a clear primary
audience (+ some secondary appeal)? What are the main difficulties in making it work? Does the idea clearly
reflect general and genre conventions research? Have you contextualised the industry aspects? Are you
sufficiently clear on audience/s?
A good level of (audio-)visual illustration is expected overall.