Two Biggest Reasons Why A Screenwriting Pitch Is Rejected - Shannan E. Johnson

Shannan E. Johnson, a native of Houston, TX, is a former creative executive at The Syfy Channel turned CEO of the first black-owned script consultancy in the entertainment industry, The Professional Pen. The Professional Pen is a writer-centered service provider helping emerging and established creatives develop their stories for the screen.

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#writing #writers #entertainment

[tsbrownie]

Shannan is a wellspring of information and always worth the listen. She pointed out 2 contradictory items: that many writers are introverts, but the ways of reaching execs requires the tools of extroverts. That might be worth a discussion.

[osw]

Selling a screenplay sounds a lot like trying to date… most people dont know what theyre looking for, but are quick to reject your offer before giving it the time of day…

[James-nvwf]

Its clear most high budget films have never been pitched.

[XxSEETHRxX]

There are more ways in than just Hollywood.

[UnleashthePhury]

Is true that all pitch meetings begin with “so, you have a movie for me?”

[nickfindsgold]

Something is going wrong in the industry. Professional gatekeepers and the cost of production is not equating to a quality product (broadly). Its not a complaint, more an observation. Something is being lost between exciting pitch and final edit.... the filters that are in place (people and strategy) need some self reflection.

[imthebestdirector]

What she basically said was inside people marketing with each other.

[kurtjenkins]

How TF are people getting pitch meetings WITHOUT knowing what their story is?! If there ever was an instance of "If THEY can do it, I can do it, " it's this interview. Sheesh!

[douglashall]

I've sold scripts (sold my first one written in 5 days on a lark). I've optioned scripts in every genre. I have to laugh when I listen to a lot of this. Hollywood is so desperate to be seen as relevant, important, vital, informed, and crucial to humanity that they've got thousands of consultants, tutorials, story software... blah blah blah and at the end of the day you see so much horrible crap you just want to say "shut up and entertain." Quit doing this detailed, in-depth analysis like it's a multi-billion dollar new drug you're coming out with that promises to save the world. Just take your big paychecks and be happy. God...

[reginayfavors]

This is honestly a great business talk for branding and managing your brand, which translates as the story you are presenting to customers and to the extended audience. Very nice lesson.

[scifirealism]

Shannon is intelligent and inspirational.

[elNan]

pitching a screenwriting should be easy, barely an inconvenience...

[mixboy]

Great useful information. I actually pitched to Syfy in LA back in 2013 they were really engaging and gave great feedback.

[colstonlchinese]

Shannan is so thorough! Thank you for sharing!

[MrTitanic]

So if Shakespeare couldn't pitch in 1 hour, Hamlet would be passed on.

[AdonisMediaProductions]

This was a lot of actual concrete information, very good video, I hate the idea of going on social media but i get the point of networking on it as tool

[huwwackman_excel]

Almost impossible as a first time writer to even get an opportunity to pitch. No agent, no access.

[sibusisoboemah]

Shannan is so captivating and knowledgeable. Thanks for this!

[lespierce]

And this is why we have so much crap in the pipeline! Give a writer the benefit of the doubt and don’t waste time, by listening for and hour when you knew you weren’t going to take it!

[fanartexhibit]

I've really liked this lady's advice in the past, but Twitter is a cesspit that I want little part of.