An important step to presenting your audiovisual project to executives or potential partners is creating a pitch deck. A pitch deck is an introduction to what your story idea or screenplay is about. It summarizes your concept, the elements or resources your project already has, as well as your plan to make this project happen, accompanied by visual cues that can give a feel of the story and captivate your reader.
Let us guide you through the important steps to create an outstanding pitch deck.
Title or cover page. Your pitch deck should always start with the title of your project, it must be engaging and attractive since it’s the very first impression you will give. It’s best if it has compelling visuals that will represent the tone and atmosphere of the story.
Story. Sell the movie. Enthuse the readers with your idea. For this section, you should include the logline, synopsis, and main characters.
A logline is a brief one or two-sentence summary of what your film is about. Describe the concept and main characters as explicitly as possible with very few words.
The synopsis, on the other hand, is a more detailed summary. It tells the reader what they should expect in the story and an overview of the main action points, genre elements, and characters. If you are writing for a potential audience, you might want to create intrigue, but if you are writing for potential investors or partners, you might want to be as informative as possible. Either way, it is always a plus if you include the story’s tone in the synopsis (e.g. if it’s a comedy, try to be whimsical or get a laugh out of the reader).
Your main character’s personality, background, conflict, and motivation should be clear in the synopsis or separately explained. This is the hero audiences will be rooting for.
References and comparisons. Comparing your project to existing properties will help the people understand the vision you are trying to sell. By analyzing your story’s genre, look and feel, and what your intended audience is, you can pinpoint what references to provide and better explain your concept. For example, your ghost hunter movie set in a cruise ship across the North Atlantic Ocean in the 1900s, could be “Ghostbusters” meets “Titanic”. However, be clear on why you are using the references so it is not misleading (in this example, to explain themes and not to provide an estimate of box office returns).
Production. Here you can add matters related to the production, such as budget and financing, an idea of where you wish your film to take place, the proposed production schedule, what the benefits of producing your film or series will be, and other important information. If there is talent attached (cast or director) you should mention them (with quick bios or links) and explain the value they bring to the project.
Team. Let them know who will be forming part of the team. Who is the writer of the screenplay? Who is the producer leading this project? Are there any development executives, executive producers, or advisors attached to the project? Sharing their photos and biographies can help give credibility to their role. If limited on text space, you can always link a name to another page like IMDb or LinkedIn.
The Ask. End your pitch deck with a clear motive on what you need right now. If your need is financing, consult with an attorney before including any investment opportunities as you may need to follow applicable laws. If you don’t have a specific need and just want general feedback, you can just end with your contact information.
Selecting images for a film pitch deck is a crucial step, demanding strategic choices to captivate potential investors and convey your film's essence effectively.
Begin by ensuring that the chosen images align harmoniously with the film's mood, theme, and narrative, evoking emotions that resonate deeply with your story. Avoid overcrowding your pitch deck with too many images, instead, select a few high quality pictures that make a powerful impact.
When dealing with copyrighted images, always obtain the necessary permissions or licenses to avoid legal issues. Alternatively, consider using stock photos or royalty-free images from reputable sources.
Innovative technology can also play a role in image selection. Consider using AI-generated images to create unique visuals that reflect your film's concept or genre. These tools can assist in generating custom artwork, allowing you to add a distinctive and personalized touch to your pitch deck.
A well-crafted pitch deck is a powerful tool that can make all the difference when presenting your audiovisual project. Always aim for a perfect balance between clarity and curiosity, leaving your audience eager to delve further into your project but with enough information to make decisions. With a well-thought-out design and content, your pitch deck becomes a compelling invitation for executives, producers, companies, or studios to join you on the journey of bringing your creative vision to life.