Three Templates for Creating a Great Film Pitch, Part 2
Still trying to create your film’s elevator pitch? More tips in a moment!
First, I’m pleased to announce I’ve opened registration for our New Doc Inner Circle 7.0. This popular 3-month story consulting program begins September 30th, 2013. For more about joining this supportive group of filmmakers, go to:
newdocediting.com/land/innercircle
Now…I’ve developed some simple techniques to help you nail your documentary’s elevator pitch that have helped hundreds of filmmakers. If you can’t write out an engaging elevator pitch within 10 minutes after reading this short e-mail, then I suggest you spend time further developing your film’s structure.
Here are three techniques that I’ve been using in my story consulting practice:
If you have a character-driven documentary, then use one of the following sentence templates and fill in the blanks.
Sentence 1:
“It’s a film about a (man/woman) who wants _________ (their goal or desire) and confronts __________ (the obstacles they face in pursuit of their desire).”
Example: “It’s is a film about a middle-aged woman who wants to take care of her mother who has Alzheimer’s and confronts a lack of affordable long-term care facilities.”
If you can fill in the above sentence, then you are well on your way to knowing the first and second acts of a three-act structure. You’ve identified the quest and the challenges the protagonist will face.
In the next sentence template, you only need to know the Act One story elements that will launch your story.
Sentence 2:
“My film is called ____________________ (title of your film), and it’s about a _________ (man/woman) who discovers/experiences __________ (the inciting incident), which impels/set him/her to _______________________________________ (goal or quest).”
Example: “My film is called “Screw Cancer”, and it’s about a young woman who discovers she has liver cancer, which sets her on a quest to Mexico to try an experimental treatment not yet approved by the FDA.”
Notice that we have not yet outlined the specific challenges she faces, but that’s OK. The difficulties are implied by the inciting incident (the diagnosis) and the quest (to heal).
If your film is not character-driven, you’re probably making a topic-based film structured around a central thesis. Try engaging your elevator companion with a question and an answer.
(Note that what I’m calling a “salty nut” below is a term I borrowed from filmmaker Tiffany Shlain. A “salty nut” refers to an interesting fact of which most people aren’t aware.)
“Well, did you know that ________ (salty nut)? This is a film that explores why/how ____________ (central idea).
Example: “Did you know that 3 million Americans have more than one lover? And they’re not all gay men! This is a film that explores how people live in open relationships.”
I trust these sentence templates have been helpful in developing an elevator pitch that will leave your “elevator companion” wanting to know more about your film!
If so, the next step is to try them out in the real world. Practice them until they roll off your tongue, and then see if they peak your companion’s interest. Tweak until you’re happy.
If you’re still stuck, that simply indicates you need to develop your film’s structure more. You’ll find the world’s most comprehensive teaching on this topic in my online seminar, The Ultimate Guide to Structuring Your Documentary.
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If you found these tips helpful, join our New Doc Inner Circle where you’ll receive in-depth story consultations and unparalleled peer support:
