How do you best pitch your film idea to a local production company?

T

Tom Films

Active member
So I have this idea for a documentary film covering a genre of action sports that is currently undiscovered for what it really is. I've made three films in this genre in the typical 'highlight' style that is common place. I would like to take it to the next level of making a full documentary that really covers the stories and emotions along with the action. But in reality I don't have the budget or man power to make this a reality.

So my question is what is the best approach to pitch my idea to main production company in town? This isn't Hollywood, but this company is known as THE production company in the general area (small town of 400,000). I have been introduced to the head honcho's when they approached me to scout my home for a potential location for a film they were shooting.

I imagine first impressions are paramount, so how to I contact them to request time to pitch my idea? Email seems too impersonal. So phone or walk in? If interested, will they request a meeting or ask for sample material through mail?

If a meeting, what will be their main concern: a good story or how will it make money?

My goal is to produce a documentary along the lines of what Dana Brown did for the Baja in Dust to Glory. What I'd need from a production company is of course a financial investment, but also their experience in crafting the story, conducting the interviews, etc. This film could be filmed quite nicely for $100,000. And I'd gladly invest $50,000 to show them how serious I am. Along with months of my own time to make this happen.

My other concern is how do I pitch my idea with losing it to a company fully capable of running with it on their own? There are boundries that I'd be suprised if they could surpass without my help such as: film locations, gaining top athlete interest, etc. So my value would be undeniable from the get go.

So to boil down my questions: Hypothetically, lets say I want to make a documentary on the Baja 1000 (like Dust to Glory, assuming this film has never happened). What's the best way to get a small production company on board?

All help and ideas are tremendously appreciated!

Regards,
Tom
 
For a small town it may be different. I would call them on the phone and request to meet with them. I'd bring samples of your past work. They will want to see a good story and how it will make money.

Other options are mandy.com and craigslist.com if the whole local production company thing doesn't work out.

I don't have much experience with that so definitely wait until somebody that does chimes in.
 
First of all, show your passion. It will be contagious. Pitch passionately. Be ready to answer any questions they might ask, and I mean anything. Especially if it's a documentary, they will expect you to already be very knowledgeable on the subject. They will probably want to "see it" too, so be very visual in your pitch. Are you going to start with interviews, or are you going to go into footage straight away? Are we going to hear a narrator, or is this going to be fly on the wall type doc. shooting?

Who are your characters? What is your setting? What is your story? What is the stroy arc? You need to know all these things.

As far as protecting your idea, write it into a formal pitch sheet and copyright it. It only costs $30, and will be "officially" copyrighted the moment you put your check and copyright application in the mail. Google the US Copyright Office for all that info.

And, most importantly, how will your documentary get them a return on their investment? You have to get it into their heads that they can recover their investment, that it will be a worthwhile endeavour. Hope that helps.
 
Realistically you are going to need a business plan. You are asking them to be an investor. They will need to know a precise breakdown of cost and timetables as well as, most importantly, what profit they will make. You need to be able to outline what the expected revenue, what distribution methods, cost associated with it, and typical examples of similar successful films that outline the business and its potential.

In addition you will need to be able to sell yourself as they will be backing you. You will have to be able to answer why you are the right person for this (they don't care if its your idea; ideas are a dime a dozen its the execution that matters)
 
One of my hopes in bringing in a production company is the business experience they would have in distributing and other ways of making money off the film. Is it a bad idea to approach them with the notion of relying on them to provide the business and distribution ideas?

I certainly have my own distribution contacts and revenue models, but I would hope they can take that to the next level.
 
Couple of things.

If this company is a legitimate commercial enterprise, you'll need to sign a submission release agreement. Effectively, this states that there is no relationship between you and the pro-co, that they are under no obligation to act on your concept and most importantly, that they might already have a project similar to your's already in development.

Once you sign this agreement, they will be able to (legally) discuss your concept with you. We've had some discussions with writers that have ended quickly because we already have something similar to it in our stable of projects. Be prepared for this if you're pitching an idea that might already have a broader, but less commercially exploited audience. That meeting will end very quickly.

When we go into a collaboration agreement with a writer, it is structured as an equity position on that project only - meaning we make that person an equal partner on that venture alone (derivative works inclusive). The players in the project share the risk and reap the potential benefits accordingly.

We have two such projects underway as we speak, with decisions on creative, marketing, legal and market representation, placement, licensing, franchising and so-forth being decided by the collective two-party "board" (pro-co / second disparate party) behind the project.

You might enjoy a similar arrangement if you can get the initial conversation rolling. If you have funding behind you, the pro-co's risk is diminished and they will certainly be more receptive to your pitch. If you go into this meeting willing and able to provide financing, you must pitch yourself as a producer-writer. If you are unproven as a producer, but have an easy collaborative style, they may very well overlook the lack of practical experience in favor of your vision.

Let them choose a supervising / series producer and director for the project that they are familiar with - offering this concession immediately tells them that the underlying project takes priority over your ego and emotional attachment to the property.

Indeed, you are pitching this strictly as a business relationship - not an "artistic collaboration". If you frame this venture that way in your mind, you'll enjoy a much easier time of it when forging the initial collaboration agreement.

Establish, early on, your stake in the property. If you bring finance, you can easily argue for a voice in the creative process. Have a solid story outline that addresses key characters and points in advance of your pitch. Have a verbal synopsis of between no more than two and four sentences rehearsed in your mind. Be ready to "tell them more" if you pique their interest.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

e
 
Erik, that is some great info, thank you so much. A few more questions come to mind.

A big part of my seeking out a production company is to get this project beyond a straight to DVD release and on to the big screen. Even if only on a very small scale. I have experience in the DVD sales market, but zero experience of taking a project to the big screen and making money off it. Would they be put off if I am unable to provide a solid plan on how to get this on the big screen and how to make money from a big screen release?

If they really like my idea, would it be out of the question to ask and have them accept a proposal for personal compensation during the filming of this project? See it's a project that would be filmed over the course of an entire winter season, with me as the primary on location filmer. And I obviously have to put food on my table and pay for related expenses (travel, hotels, gas).
Having some financial assurance to cover my costs would allow me to dedicate more days of filming across the country, rather than having to work the ole job to get by. Thoughts on this?

What is a typical percentage of equity in the project would they require?

If I was the primary filmer, assisted in editing, and heavily involved in crafting the storyline, likely what 'tag' would be beside my name in the credits?

For a small production company such as the one I am approaching, what is their likely desired method of profiting from this documentary? In an ideal world, would they try to sell the finished project to a larger company for a lump sum? Or would they want to profit from box office tickets and dvd sales?

Thanks!
Tom
 
"As far as protecting your idea, write it into a formal pitch sheet and copyright it."

from what i recall you cannot copyright an idea ... a script you can copyright ...

"would it be out of the question to ask and have them accept a proposal for personal compensation during the filming of this project?"

"And I'd gladly invest $50,000 to show them how serious I am. Along with months of my own time to make this happen."

i assumed by months of your own time = you're working for free ...
you may have to hold back some of that 50K to pay the bills and then take no or little pay ?
 
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