This document provides guidance on pitching a new film idea for an assignment. It discusses developing the film from the initial pitch through production stages. Key aspects to address in the pitch include the title, genre, budget, storyline, characters, locations, and why the idea is innovative. Examples of film pitches are provided. The homework is to finish a pitch presentation for Wednesday's class.

1. PITCHING YOUR
NEW FILM IDEA
ASSIGNMENT 2

2. TASK
Your task is to come up with a brand new idea for a film
which you will be pitching in class.
We will be judging your idea as a group and deciding
whether we would like to commission your film to be
made!
Your film needs to be innovative and inventive.

3. Film Production Stages
Development
Pre-Production
Production
Post-Production

4. Film Production Stages
Development
Pre-Production
Production
Post-Production

5. Development
 Finding finance:
1. 100% Financing - a studio or other backer gives 100% of the film’s budget in
return for full ownership of the film
2. Multi-party financing - the independent producer typically raises finance from a
host of sources
 Script Development
 Stars (getting actors)
 Director
 Other key crew
 Role of the Producer

6. Development -Securing finance
 Present ideas/pitch to potential financers - typically a major film
studio, film council or independent investor
 Can be a complex and very lengthy process
 Must attract potential investors
 Generate confidence in the film’s ability to create revenue
 Returns can be enormous - but very risky!
 The higher the film’s profile, the more likely to attract investors
 Only 1 in 10 films make a significant financial return
 If the pitch is successful, the film will recieve a “green light!”

7. Development - The ‘Package’
 A script treatment - Much lengthier than a pitch, for a feature
film, will usually be 10 + pages which outlines in detail the storyline,
(from scene to scene), characters, locations, general “look and feel”
of the film
 Generic profile of the film - to help investors “place” the film in
marketplace (potential audience, genre etc...)
 Proposed budget - rough guide to price
 Key Personnel - stars, director, DoP etc...
 Potential spin offs, merchandising, marketing strategys
etc... - ways in which the film can generate a profit!

8. Pre-Production
 Finalizing script
 Scheduling
 Budgeting
 Casting
 Crew contracts
 Storyboarding
 Location scouting
 Equipment hire

9. What you need to discuss in
your pitch
 Title of your film
 Genre of your film – make sure you are taking into account the codes and
conventions of the genre
 Target audience / demographic
 Budget needed for your film – you need to justify this
 Release date – Summer/Winter/Autumn/Spring – explain why (you might
want to research other films of the same genre to find out the most effective
time to release your film)
 A synopsis/overview of the storyline
 Characters – Give a brief profile of some of the main characters and which
actors/actresses you would ideally like to cast for these roles…
 Settings & Locations that the film will take place in
 Discuss a potential BBFC rating for your film and explain why.
 What is different/innovative about your idea and why should we commission
it?

10. Film Pitch Examples
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9LSYV0b6bI
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44XP7f3-JL8

11. HOMEWORK
Finish your pitch ready to
present on Wednesday!!