Pitch 101 Workshop

ABOUT

Get the basics of a good pitch down pat! Identify the key components that contribute to a good pitch, and learn the best way to deliver them.

Topics will include:

Story development
Character development
Learning how to edit your work
Making your idea marketable
Learning how to take and use notes
Delivering what your audience craves
Prepping towards the pitch
Creating a polished package
Delivering a successful and inspiring pitch

This 3-day program will introduce participants to the elements of a successful pitch. Starting with a master class, moving to workshop their concept (using their required synopsis), participants will have the opportunity to “perform” their pitch in front of industry professionals selected to provide feedback on their delivery. Through this program, and with the guidance of pitch and story editor professionals, participants will explore the essential relationship between the creator and the producer in successfully bringing ideas to fruition.

This program is presented in partnership with Ontario Creates and our community partner, Centennial College

ELIGIBILITY

This program is designed for entry-level or emerging content creators/producers who are ready to start pitching their projects. This is a "beginner" or "introductory" program; participants are expected to have some industry experience so that they can get full advantage of the workshop and hit the ground running.

You will need to submit a synopsis of a proposed project which you will be actively workshopping during this program. Eligible projects for discussion include TV/web series, short feature-length films. All genres accepted.

Note: for this program, documentaries, talk-show formats or reality programs will not be considered eligible.

SESSIONS & INSTRUCTORS

MASTER CLASS

On this day, the process of understanding the basic elements of the pitch will begin. After the initial instruction is given, each participant will have the opportunity to put their interpretations of the session to use via a “practice pitch” for their project. The second part of this day will concentrate on working with each participant to further develop and perfect their particular pitch in preparation for the pitch to the panel the following week.

Instructor: Marina Cordoni

Marina Cordoni is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of success in the Entertainment Industry. Skilled in Business Planning & Development, Script and Story Development, Project Financing, Project Management, On Set Production, Distribution, Promotion and Industry Event & Conference Planning, Marina has hands-on practical experience in creating and implementing strategic models that help companies to build profile and revenue. Her superior communication skills help her to navigate challenging waters to find new solutions for old problems. She provides these services both in house and as an Industry Consultant for hire. Marina has a Diploma in Film Production and Certification as a Communications Trainer and Facillitator.

WORKSHOPPING

On this second day, participants will continue building on the learning from the previous day. Guidance will include clearly identifying and developing characters and setting, and how they work together. They will also explore the implementation of plots and subplots, and how they work in tandem to build characters and move the story forward. The fundamentals of what will be required when pitching their concept will be incorporated so they can be taken into consideration as they continue their writing and creative exercises during this day.

Instructor: Jill Golick

Jill Golick writes character-driven coming-of-age stories that are relatable for audiences of all ages. She believes that coming of age is a process we go through over and over throughout our lives whenever things get hard. These stories are particularly relevant now because audiences want to believe they have the power to make themselves happy.Jill Golick has been fortunate to work as a screenwriter, story editor and creative producer in many genres, including children’s (Sesame Street, Annedroids), soap (metropia), prime (Instant Star) and digital (Weirdwood Manor). She is best known for Ruby Skye PI, the interactive web series she created and showran for three seasons. An early adopter from an early age, Jill started a successful software company in the 80s, created Twitter’s first live comedy soap and currently owns a robot. Her dual passions for interactivity and cutting edge technology infuse her original work. For much of her career as a writer, Jill has been an advocate for artists. She served as president of the Writers Guild of Canada from 2010-2018. She is co-author of WIVOS19, Women in View’s most recent research study on the participation of women in Canada’s film and television industry. Jill mentors writers at all career stages and teaches about audience-focused series development. Her new podcast with Annelise Larsen, Story + Audience, focuses on how to create stories that connect deeply with audiences. Jill is author of the Pandemic Pilot Program: a step-by-step guide to writing your script while maintaining physical distancing and has been offering a series of screenwriting workshops during this period of social isolation.

PITCH PANEL

On this final day, each team will have the opportunity totake what they have learned in the previous days and pitch directly to an industry professional. Feedback and guidance will be given by this panel of experts. Participants will be specifically informed that this panel is providing feedback for educational purposes only.

* Panelists to be confirmed.

Pitch 101 Workshop

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