Story Pitching Tips for Screenwriters

Being a successful screenwriter requires not only the ability to convey a story in script format but also the ability to verbally pitch your story in an engaging manner. Below are quick tips to help you prepare for story pitching sessions with studio executives.
Pitch like you can give the executive a visual trailer.
Come in as a “problem solver” not “problem maker.”
Convey a sense of competence, sanity and reliability.
Practice pitching in front of a video camera. Replay your performance.
Time your pitch so you don’t ramble on the day of the pitch.
When you’re in the room pitching, make eye contact with everyone.
Know your story well. Do not read from index cards.
Address weight-bearing scenes.
Talk about moments that are big emotional scenes but push through orbital scenes.
A good pitch has to reach the emotional core of the audience.
Finish with an original ending.
The more you prepare for your pitch, the better you will feel on the day of the pitch. Deliver your pitch with enthusiasm. Engage your audience. The energy you channel in your pitch will impact those around you. Avoid pitching your story in a monotone voice. Be lively. Be excited about what you have to share with the executives. Give them something positive to report to their bosses. Know how much time you have to pitch your story and pace yourself accordingly. Don’t let yourself get thrown off track if you see someone in the room nodding off. If the listener looks bored, it’s time to move to the next point in the story. Don’t linger on a scene for too long if you notice the audience is drifting away. Equally important, give your main characters unique names that are easy to remember.
Avoid using similar sounding names that can confuse your audience. For example, having a Harry and a Terry in your story can confuse the person who’s listening to your pitch. Similarly, be consistent in how you refer to the character’s name. Do not introduce a character by one name and later refer to the character by his/her nickname. For example, a character should not be introduced as Bobby in one scene and referred to as Robert in another scene. It is the screenwriter’s role to pitch a story with clarity. Studio executives listen to many pitches in a day. The easier it is to recall and identify the characters, the easier it will be for your intended audience to follow your story.