Navigating the Map

Spending any time with Joey is well worth it! He has the pulse of the industry and shares this vital information with all his writers. He is one of the most passionate advocates I've ever met and anyone is lucky to be in the same room as Joey Tuccio!

After YEARS of making films, winning festivals, and writing (yes, enjoy that humble brag), the Pitch Prep Program showed me how the entertainment industry actually worked. Furthermore, working with Tristan was a delight - he truly cares about the art of storytelling. I can't recommend doing this program enough!

The Pitch Prep Program completely changed my understanding of how to effectively pitch. Pitching is hard and scary because we're all sensitive artists, but there is no better environment for someone uneasy on this than Tristan's pitch prep course. He brings you up to speed on the basics and before you know it, you're confidently speaking in front of development execs and literary managers and getting instant feedback that will not only make your pitch stronger, but literally make you a better storyteller for the rest of your career. Tristan teaches an incredible class and couldn't be a better teacher. Every single exercise he met with excitement and support, even when things needed fixing and we felt like idiots, Tristan was kind and encouraging when we needed it most as we put ourselves out in the open for the world to see. There are no safer hands to be in than his. Do not hesitate, just take this course. You will thank me later. I owe so much to this!

The Roadmap Writers' Pitch Prep program was my first encounter with pitching and I'm not gonna lie - I was terrified! Pitching face-to-face is something I've managed to avoid for years but I knew it was keeping me from fully committing to screenwriting as a career. But Holy Crap! With Tristan as my coach, I not only learned to write a stellar logline, pitch and synopsis - I learned to sell myself and my story in a face-to-face pitch. So far, I've pitched at least a dozen times leading to a nice handful of script requests!

I refer to Pitch Prep as Film School 2.0 for a reason. Over the course of a month, you learn vital and beneficial lessons you can (and should) apply to every project you have. I learned more in Pitch Prep than I did in University! Uni taught me how to use Final Draft, but Pitch Prep taught me how to brand myself, tell my story, and how to move forward progressively in my writing career. I would honestly recommend this to anyone who is ready to move up in their career but doesn't know where to start. The notes (especially from my coach Tristan) are cutthroat, but what you learn is invaluable.

Taking Pitch Prep was one of the most impactful decisions I have made in my writing career. I had spent the last 18 years trying to break in as a writer in Los Angeles, to no avail. I sold a show 8 months after taking Pitch Prep and the things I learned from Tristan were directly responsible for my recent success. I literally did what he said and sold a show. He is kind, patient, funny and really breaks it down.

With Tristan as your teacher, rest assured you are in the best hands for honing the crucial skill of pitching your writing projects. Pitch Prep proved to be a transformative experience for me. It provided invaluable insights on structuring my story pitches, making them both tangible and professionally appealing for studio executive meetings. As a new writer navigating the uncertainties, this class served up a feast of education. It stands out as my favorite, offering a comprehensive guide to unpacking the art of pitching.

It takes a special personality to successfully coax introverted writers out of their shells and help them feel good enough about themselves to make effective pitches. You have to balance honesty, compassion, and hope, and Tristan does this better than anyone I have worked with. He feels as much a partner as a coach.

To say the least, because of Tristan’s help and guidance, I can take any of my projects and easily put them in perspective for a pitch, which is the guideline for my outline and the blueprint for any movie or pilot. With Tristan’s help in Pitch Prep I was able to reshape my feature, giving me the confidence and clarity to deliver my pitch in any room.

Taking pitch prep with Tristan allowed me to take my career to the next level. Ever since I decided I wanted to pursue screenwriting, pitching absolutely terrified me. Working with such a supportive, upbeat, and positive teacher washed away my nerves and allowed me to shine in front of execs, while his expert script notes allowed me to elevate my story and gain tangible traction. I truly wouldn't be where I am without Tristan or pitch prep.

The Pitch Prep classes were invaluable and thorough, and Tristan’s witty sense of humor made the session times fly by. He was always dialed in, and his notes were actionable and easy to follow. Overall, Pitch Prep has improved my pitching by leaps and bounds. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Roadmap. Tristan, thanks for all of the above. Your sessions are the reason I felt confident in continuing the program and why I can’t stop telling other writer friends about it.

Pitch Prep is simply the best program you can get. It’s a massive amount of useful info, a step by step guide, a safe space to get feedback on your pitch and story… and if you think you already have a good pitch, wait till Tristan does his magic on it, that’s when it’ll really shine!

Pitch Prep with Tristan took the mystery out of how the industry works. It doesn't matter how much time you put into writing, if you never learn how to properly pitch your work to industry pros. With Tristan as my coach, my writing and pitching leveled up. Take this course! You'll thank yourself someday.

My month in Pitch Prep went beyond all expectations. I had so much growth and confidence in being who I am, authentically, as a writer. I felt like I was in a safe space, and Tristan and the Roadmap team worked tirelessly for us. So much time and effort were put into us in order to develop our brands and pitches as we prepare for careers as screenwriters. Months after Pitch Prep, I still remain in contact with the writers I met, which is invaluable!

If you break out into cold sweats just thinking about pitching to execs, Tristan takes the edge off. Not only is he great about giving you clear and valuable feedback on how to improve your written and verbal pitching, he keeps things fun. You are in excellent hands with Tristan!

Pitch Prep was transformative for me. I deliberately chose a project that I struggled to eloquently describe, but Tristan J's instruction enabled me to rediscover my passion for the script, express it clearly, and answer the questions why this, why now, why me. Thanks to Pitch Prep, I was ready when practice ended and meetings began.

Tristan helped take my story and craft it into a tight, specific, and compelling pitch. It can be hard to see how to market your own work and it was immensely helpful to have Tristan’s input, edits, and feedback. He has a strong, clear point of view which helped my entire group translate their stories into market-ready pitches. I still can't believe how much we accomplished in a month!

Tristan gave me the tools, skills, and confidence I needed to bring my pitch to the next level. I never thought I'd be comfortable presenting my show to executives, agents, and producers, but this program really changed everything for me.

The Pitch Prep Intensive was truly worth every penny. Tristan genuinely cares about his students’ careers and goes the extra mile to ensure everyone in his group succeeds. He creates a very positive, supportive learning environment and coaches in a way that feels empowering. Working with Tristan taught me valuable pitching skills and also elevated my skills as a story-teller.

Participating in Pitch Prep was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career. Not only did I walk away with a killer pitch for my pilot thanks to my coach Tristan’s honest and actionable feedback, I became clearer and more confident in my brand as a writer. I’m so clear, that I’ve since fine-tuned all of my pilots with this refocused lens and they are all better for it!

James has a wonderfully no nonsense style to his inspirational approach. He has his thumb on the pulse of this industry and a passion for guiding us toward our success. Thank you James!

James Moorer is a powerful motivator who has his finger to the entertainment pulse. James helped me craft and hone my personal logline and feel comfortable with my elevator pitch. He's excellent with strategy and has plentiful ideas. Beyond all that, he is a kind soul down to his very core. I am so thankful I met James Moorer through Roadmap Writers.

After just a few sessions with James, I felt stronger about my ability to pitch and he gave me the confidence to rise above my own self-doubt. James has an exceptional ability to provide the exact guidance when it comes to everything from cleaning up your pages to building your personal narrative. What I will cherish most about working with James is his kindness and commitment in making sure you shine brighter than you thought possible.

James is such a careful, detailed, nuanced reader. He looks at a script and imagines multiple possibilities for what it could be and just lays the tools in front of you for you to pick the best option. He's great about guiding a writer's hand and reassuring them that they know what they're doing. He helped me take my pilot from good to great in no time.

Working with James Moorer through Roadmap has been nothing but a pleasure. He's as relatable as your buddy from high school but has the acumen and drive that Hollywood runs on. James is a straight-shooter who's not afraid to tell you what you need to hear because he cares (and it shows!) Our writing, presentation process, and mindset have all developed tremendously through Roadmap, and I can directly attribute a lot of that to James.

You will know who James is within 10 seconds of chatting. He's an open book and an open heart. He freely shares decades of valuable experience, saving you from learning "the hard way" but with the excitement of a child on Christmas Eve. He truly loves his craft, this business, and you. When he told me he related to my story of an Asian woman who hated to look in the mirror, he had tears in his eyes. You won't be a list of adjectives and selling points for him, you'll be a human and an artist. Anyone who works with James will feel his love and ability to move mountains.

Pitch practice with James not only helped me hone the words of my pitch, but helped me feel more prepared and empowered to bring my pitch into the real world. We walked through each sentence until the overall structure felt right. While some of the solutions were clear to James, he carefully ensured that the pitch felt authentic to me and the story I was telling. James reminds us about the power of connecting with people and how hard work can pay off. I walked away with tools that I can use to craft future pitches. His encouragement and relevant feedback were efficient and inspiring. I am so grateful to have crossed paths with James Moorer.

James is the genuine article. He is always available for advice or questions and guided me in a way that found my match with my reps. His door is always open and no question is too small or too big. He knows his way around the business and is a stellar matchmaker. Welcoming, warm, and a guy who's been in the writer trenches—he gets it and will go the distance to help other writers too.

I have the honor and privilege of knowing James E. Moorer (II) in his professional capacity as Director of Diversity Initiatives and Outreach for Roadmap Writers. As a coach and mentor for aspiring screenwriters, one could not wish for a more supportive, patient, and knowledgeable professional to have in your corner. He treats each writer and their projects with respect and integrity. Coaching sessions with "Uncle James" are not only inspirational and a great confidence boost, but his approach allows the writer to take a breath and realize the world ain't gonna end with the first or subsequent rejection. There's always a way forward and he will help you find it. James does not sugar-coat—he's forthright in his approach. Trust him and with his guidance he'll show you how to develop and present your work in the best possible light. There's no doubt his guidance and collegial support towards all who have the privilege to work with him comes from a foundation of love and respect—for the writer, their aspirations, and to the craft.

James is the perfect mentor and coach for anyone pursuing a career in screenwriting. He provides insightful, actionable feedback that has made me a better writer. His notes on my pitch were particularly helpful, and I credit his feedback with the reason that my project has been so warmly received. He's also generous with his praise and gives a great pep-talk, which we all need from time to time. I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to work with James, and I would encourage anyone, from a newbie to a pro, to do the same.

James is an absolute delight to work with! He has been a great mentor: from our first call to discuss a strategy for my career, to helping me hone my personal brand, to reading my projects and hearing my pitches and giving me insightful feedback, to being my biggest cheerleader! Interacting with James never fails to inspire and energize me. His personality is so electric and positive! He knows so much about the business from his own personal experiences and is always willing to share. He's the hardest working writer I know. I can't recommend James enough. (Plus, he knows everything there is to know about pancakes!)

Anyone who meets James is lucky to discover they have tremendous support on their side. James' charisma and care brings ease to writers as they dive into pitching for the first time. After running my pitch with James, the feedback and encouragement I received cemented the confidence I had for my story and my presence. Also an accomplished writer, James' business sense grounds writers who are finally stepping into their professional careers. Part mentor, part cheerleader, part career bodyguard... James has your back!