LET'S TALK ABOUT PITCHING

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NAILED IT

Hey, Reader,

Recently I saw a film announced in Deadline that sounded like I was born to write it. It was being produced by a few production companies, including one that I had worked with previously.

So I:

1. Hit up my reps and told them I want to throw my hat in the ring. Mind you I had no idea what stage the project was in. Still, I let them know.
2. I hit up an exec at the production company that I had worked with previously and told her how much I love the idea of the project, my connection to the subject matter, and that I would like to throw my hat in the ring.

I should mention that as I reimagine my relationship with Hollywood, I’m going after less projects that HONEY CHILE doesn’t originate. However, this particular project felt very strategic for me and the HONEY CHILE brand because of the subject matter and the producers involved.

The exec said it was still early, but she would float my name. My reps made sure my name was in the mix.

A couple of weeks later, the project is on and the producers are meeting with writers.

I rarely do what are called bake-offs these days. Bakeoffs are when producers hear takes or pitches from several writers. Bakeoffs can often be exploitative. But for this project, I felt like it was worth pitching on because of how high profile it is. Also, I wanted to get in front of these producers who should know about me and HONEY CHILE.

Anywho, I pitched the film on Thursday and NAILED IT. To the point that one of the producers was crying!

My ability to pitch my behind off has been one of the reasons why my career has accelerated in the way that it has. All of my TV and film projects have been sold based off of a pitch, accept one that was sold as a spec script. I've had producers tell me my pitches have been the best they've ever heard. I've sold a TV show in the room. Pitching is a VITAL skill we need to work to master.​
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BTW: The Build Bundle, the complete blueprint of six courses, 25+ lessons to help you sharpen your craft, accelerate your journey, and build your career to last, includes an entire Pitch Bundle. The Pitch Bundle includes a pitch template, a sample recorded pitch for TV and a sample written pitch for film, which I have NEVER shared before. How I wish I had these resources when I was learning to pitch! Check it out and enroll here.​

6 PITCHING PRINCIPLES​
​Here are 6 of my pitching principles:

1. Care.

2. Connect story with emotion.

3. Find a dynamic way in.

4. Pop your stuff.

5. Perform.

6. Set your intention, then let go.

Alright let’s get into them... but before we do, have you checked out The Build Bundle yet? Price goes up at the end of the month.

THE BUILD BUNDLE

For the past few months, I've pulled together nearly every workshop I have ever taught, along with tried and true tactics, examples, and strategies, directly from my own experience, to help you accelerate your journey, AND build your career to last.

Introducing The Build Bundle, a resource with six courses, 25+ lessons, sample pitches, and more.
​
​Contents include:

1. PITCH YOUR FILM OR TV PROJECT BUNDLE
Learn how to successfully pitch your TV show or film.
​*Includes a recording of me pitching a TV show and a written pitch for a studio film.*

2. MAKE YOUR SHORT FILM BUNDLE
A comprehensive workshop that covers everything from writing and directing, to financing and distributing your short film.
​*Includes sample scripts, a shot list, casting breakdowns, lookbook copy, list of film festivals I submitted to, case studies, and more.*

3. DEVELOPING A WRITING PROCESS, PRACTICE, AND SCHEDULE WORKSHOP
Learn how to develop a consistent writing practice and process within a schedule that works for you.

4. CREATIVE CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
Tools and insights on how I built the foundation for my creative career and how I manage my creative business.

5. BASED ON: ADAPTING IP WORKSHOP
An outline of the process to option and develop IP for adaptation, the nuances of different types of adaptations, what I look for in IP, and more.

6. THE CREATIVE COMEBACK WORKBOOK PDF
The fillable workbook includes 30 days of dynamic journal prompts, inspirational quotes, and more.

+ BONUSES:

• Journalists Transitioning to TV / Film Workshop ​
  Learn about the transferable skills between journalism and writing for the screen and receive insight into making a smooth transition.
• What it Takes to Become a Professional TV / Film Writer Workshop
  ​An outline of the strategy, planning, and plotting required to professionalize your career as a writer.
• Film Distribution Roadmap
  ​Template to help develop a film distribution plan for your film.
• Music Video Shot List ​
  A shot list for a music video that I directed.

I've taken everything I learned, gathered templates and samples directly from my career, and have compiled them into The Build Bundle.

​Enroll today before the price increases!

1. CARE ​
​This seems obvious, but you have to be passionate about what you're pitching. People can feel genuine passion. And often producers want to work with folk who they know are super passionate about the subject matter. Also, if you do sell it, you're gonna have to write it. And there's nothing more painful than trying to write something that you're not that in to. Been there and it was miserable.

2. CONNECT STORY WITH EMOTION​
It is easy to pitch plot by plot points, but often what execs are looking for is the emotional through line. So make the connections for them. Show them how X plot point is connected to X part of the character's emotional journey.

3. FIND A DYNAMIC WAY IN ​
​Your way in is essentially both how your version opens and your actual version of the story. Is your version a caper chase? A meditative look? A road trip movie? The possibilities are endless. But whatever route you choose, you want both ways in to be dynamic, emotional, and set up the journey you’re about to take audiences on. There are so many different versions of the same film. What makes yours unique and unforgettable?

4. POP YOUR STUFF ​
​Be unapologetic when explaining why you're the right person to write this project. In my pitch the other day, I said I was made to write this film and provided several reasons and receipts. Because I am. 🤷🏾‍♀️

5. PERFORM ​
​I perform my pitches. Mind you, I'm horrible at acting. But when I pitch, I am strategic about how I say every single word. The pauses. The inflection. The emotion. And because I have genuine passion, I FEEL it and so do my audience. And I have a great time doing it. Execs and producers will feel your enthusiasm.

6. SET YOUR INTENTION THEN LET GO
​My intention for every pitch is to have a great time telling a story I love. That is my job. And I work to do my job well. If I do my job well, I am proud. I release all expectations. That doesn't mean I won't feel disappointment if I don't get an opportunity, but I quickly remind myself that what is for me is for me. And that the decision had nothing to do with my performance, because I did my job and I did it incredibly well.

THE SWEET BUILD ​
​See why I named this newsletter, The Sweet Build?

My goal is to encourage and embolden you to:

• Become a master craftsperson
• Take control of your career and gain agency
• Take care of yourself so that you can be of service to others
• Make work that reaches people and makes them feel
• Unabashedly serve your audience

We’re building careers on our own terms. We’re building our audiences. We’re building new tables. We’re building companies. We’re building ecosystems. We’re building new ways of doing things.

And we’re building artists who know their value.

Who’s with me?

BTW: Bring your community along, forward them this email and encourage them to subscribe.

Felicia Pride TV Writer. Filmmaker. CEO. Building HONEY CHILE, an indie media company serving Black women 40+, and empowering other niche storytellers to tell their stories and reach their audiences.

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The Build Bundle All of the tools you need for developing your writing craft, pitching your tv/film projects, making your work, and strategizing for a long-lasting career. It's what I wish I had starting out and even mid-way through my career—tried and true tactics, examples, and strategies to help you accelerate your journey. ENROLL TODAY

The Creative Comeback Workbook by Felicia Pride It's time for you to start writing again and tell the stories burning within. Through 30 prompts, you'll discover your why, develop a writing schedule, outline your projects and unearth what's holding you back from the career of your dreams. These are the exact steps I took to make my creative comeback. Purchase on Book Shop.​ GET THE WORKBOOK

tender: the official script book by Felicia Pride Specially designed, the script for Felicia Pride’s award-winning short film tender! Also includes an original essay by Felicia and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photos. A PDF eBook sent immediately upon purchase. GET YOUR COPY

LOOK BACK AT IT: The Official Script Book by Felicia Pride Specially designed, the script for Felicia Pride’s award-winning short film LOOK BACK AT IT! Also includes an original essay by Felicia and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photos. A PDF eBook sent immediately upon purchase. GET YOUR COPY

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING...

Promote your project or business in The Sweet Build. Want to get in front of 1,300+ motivated storytellers? We're offering an introductory flat rate of $500. Inquire today by responding to this email.

This email was sent by Kit. And I really enjoy working with them because I can also sell products through them. I sold the first 21-Day Creative Comeback Challenge completely through Kit. It's an awesome one-stop shop. Here's my Kit affiliate link.

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How do I stay organized? I feel like I've tried all the productivity software girls. And none can really compete with Notion. She has it all. It takes some time to learn, but chile... once you do! You can build custom databases (we track contacts, projects, more), create custom pages and more. I LOVE it. Here's my Notion affiliate link.