This is what I learned when I went to a pitch fest in LA. Treat it like you’re getting ready to go stage and do a set. You have 5 minutes to give your pitch make sure you can do it in 3 minutes. This will give you two minutes for questions and you will not seem rushed. Before you go on stage you write your jokes you practice them you make sure you know them inside and out so you can look smooth on stage you should do the same with this.
Make sure you think about your tag line for your TV or Movie idea. Make sure it’s catchy and it kind of explains the idea in one or 2 lines.
You’re a writer! Write! Make sure you write a one sheet. Want to guess what a one sheet is! It’s a one sheet that explains your show idea something you can leave behind. Make sure it has your contact info on it plus a great idea is to register it with the Writers Guild of America You could also do a treatment. A treatment is like an out like of your idea it may have an outline of what 6 or 8 episodes would look like. If they like the idea they will buy it and most likely chance things so be ready for that. Here is a link to the treatment I wrote for The World Series of Comedy WSOC Treatment
If you have any video of your idea, then make a sizzle reel. This should be 1 or 2 min longs. I made one for The World Series of Comedy and it was too long. It was good and I had it to leave at the pitch meetings, but it should have been shorter. If you do not have a video of your idea and you’re a comic you should have some video of you if you’re in the TV or Movie idea.They may want to see what you do on stage. Here is the sample of the sizzle reel I made for The World Series of Comedy WSOC Sizzle Reel
A few Links I like
Vince Gilligan’s Series Bible For ‘Breaking Bad’
http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Reality-Show
A few book I like
Pitching Hollywood: How to Sell Your TV Show and Movie Ideas
 | Two successful movie and TV producers provide the reader with the tools needed to create, develop, and sell ideas to Hollywood. Producers Jonathan Koch (""Beyond the Glory"") and Robert Kosberg (Deep Blue Sea) are known as the ""Kings of Pitch."" They currently have more than a dozen projects in development at major studios, including projects with Josh Lucas, Tobey Maguire, and Katherine Heigl. |
Writing Treatments That Sell
 | A fully revised guide to turning your movie idea into a treatment that can persuade even the most jaded movie producers As Hollywood insiders know, the first step in selling your story idea for film or television is preparing a treatment, the brief pitch that sells the concept to a busy producer or agent. Now including updates on the latest trends in the industry, writers-producers Kenneth Atchity and Chi-Li Wong tell readers everything they need to know to create an effective and saleable treatment, one that incorporates such key elements as conflict, likeable characters, plot twists, a climax, and visual drama. Using dozens of the latest examples from actual productions, Writing Treatments That Sell distinguishes between scripts designed for feature films, episodic television, and made-for-TV movies, and shows step-by-step how to prepare a selling treatment for each. Also included is essential information on copyrighting and acquiring rights along with a comprehensive glossary of industry terms. This book is essential for anyone hoping to get a foot in the door of the exciting scriptwriting business. |
The Hollywood Pitching Bible
 | Finally, a book that tells the truth about the art of pitching in Hollywood. “The Hollywood Pitching Bible: A Practical Guide to Pitching Movies and Television” breaks it down, step by step. From choosing the right idea, to selling it in the room, this book tells you how it’s done, in clear language, suitable for the beginner or the seasoned Hollywood professional. With decades of combined experience working in Hollywood as buyer, seller and teacher, the authors have created the definitive book that will demystify the pitching process, supported by a reasoned, logical point of view and supported by numerous specific examples. If you want to work in the Hollywood creative community, you must know how to pitch. This book will show you how to succeed. |