It's no secret that pitching makes a lot of writers nervous. We get it! When you work so hard on writing your script, having to pitch it in just a few minutes is a huge challenge. And then there's the added pressure of what the person you're pitching to is going to say after the pitch is done. Are they going to ask you questions? Give you feedback? If they do, how do you respond?
To answer all this and more, Roadmap's very own Joey Tuccio and Tristan J Shuler are here with a special webinar!
This 90 Minute Webinar Will Cover:
- The small talk before the pitch
- Dos and don'ts of pitching
- Typical questions to expect
- How to respond to feedback
- Live Q&A
Joey started in the industry at Bold Films (DRIVE, NIGHTCRAWLER, WHIPLASH) and has read for Hugh Jackman's company, George Clooney's company, and Night and Day Pictures, to name a few. Experiencing how hard it was for writers to receive real tangible advice on how to break into the industry, Joey and Dorian created Roadmap Writers over 7 years ago. At Roadmap, Joey focuses on connecting vetted writers with execs in the industry. He has helped hundreds of writers connect to their representation, get staffed and get produced. He also mentors for Cinestory and The Writers Lab. When he's not helping writers, he spends his time rescuing animals in need.
Alexandra holds a degree in English Literature from UCLA, which she earned while pursuing acting. As an actress for many years, she learned the ins and outs of character, story and entertainment first hand, both on stage and in front of the camera. As the Director of Education at Roadmap, Alex strives to identify the most common hurdles writers face in developing their work and design classes, clinics, and webinars to address these issues. In addition, Alex is a writer with several scripts, a novel, a short film (produced during the AT&T Shape Create-A-Thon), and a webseries (coming soon!) under her belt. Prior to Roadmap, Alex worked in live events, law, and education.
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!
~ Gail Joy Stewart, Screenwriter
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!
~ Jared Januschka, Screenwriter
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!
~ Andrew Jenner, Screenwriter
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!
~ Shauna Ratapu, Screenwriter
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.
~ Gabby Font, Screenwriter
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.
~ Joel Dovev, Screenwriter
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.
~ Jayde Rossi, Screenwriter
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.
~ Paul Schutte, Screenwriter
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.
~ Attiyya S. Brown, Author/Screenwriter
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.
~ Colleen Glennon, Screenwriter
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.
~ Petula Miller, Screenwriter
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!
~ Francesca Tatini, Screenwriter
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.
~ Stella Ruggiero, Screenwriter
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!
~ Monica La Vella, Screenwriter
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!
~ Jamie Okubo, Screenwriter
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.
~ Jessica Jiji, Screenwriter
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!
~ Allison Mattox, Screenwriter
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.
~ Daniel Cox, Screenwriter
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.
~ Lisa Summers, Screenwriter
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!
~ Gesley Alexis, Screenwriter
Questions?
If you have any questions or any trouble accessing the recording, email our Director of Education Alexandra Davies at alex@roadmapwriters.com!