Pitchin'

You've done it. As a writer, you've written a successful spec, landed an agent, and you're ready to pitch.

Now what?

First off, you might be asking, "what is a pitch?" What say you, Wikipedia?

A pitch is a concise verbal (and sometimes visual) presentation of an idea for a film [or TV series], generally made by a screenwriter or director to a producer or studio executive in the hope of attracting development finance to pay for a screenplay to be written.

As my boss has both pitched and been pitched to, she has a particular insight into what to do and what not to do when you're trying to sell your idea.

First off, have a unique voice to bring to the table. This unique voice, if you've got it, comes from your life experiences, or because you've honed it through years of writing, or from your wild and crazy world view. Whatever makes you you, you dig?

Secondly, you should know the world you've created like the back of your hand. Go beyond what you've written and think outside the box.

But not too outside the box. Make sure you don't brainstorm in the pitch and throw out unmarketable adjectives. Remember, you're selling a product! You can fight the network for your artistic integrity once you're on the air.

There you go. Now get working on that script!