Producer's Vault: Pitch Deck 101 for Independent Filmmakers
Master the art of pitching your indie film with a compelling deck. Included is an example too!
Word Count: 578 | Read Time: < 4 Minutes.
Master the art of pitching your indie film with a compelling deck.
WHY IT MATTERS…
A pitch deck is a crucial tool for independent filmmakers to secure funding and partnerships.
THE BIG PICTURE…
A pitch deck is a visual presentation that highlights the key elements of your film project, including the story, cast, crew, and budget. It's used to persuade potential investors, partners, and other stakeholders to get behind your project. One example of this is when the independent film THUNDER ROAD used a pitch deck to convince investors to back the project, successfully raising its $269,000 budget, with the film going on to win SXSW once finished and launching Jim Cummings career.
ZOOM IN…
A pitch deck typically includes slides on the film's concept and plot, the key cast and crew members, the production schedule, and the budget. It should also include visual elements, such as concept art and storyboards, to help bring the film to life for the audience. Finally and most important— it should show how the filmmakers intend to distribute and recoup the investors’ investment while yielding a return on investment.
ACTION ITEMS…
Research pitch deck templates and examples to get a sense of the standard structure and elements. Below is a link to my most recent pitch deck.
Practice your pitch and presentation skills to effectively convey the passion and potential of your project.
Seek feedback from industry professionals and make adjustments to improve your pitch deck before presenting to potential investors.
Filmmakers should be using Pitch Decks.
If you don’t know how… I got you.
I’m sharing a pitch deck for one of my $165,000 ultra-low-budget films👇.
GO DEEPER…
Here is a sample slide deck outline for an independent feature film with a budget of under $300,000:
Slide 1: Title Slide - Film title and contact information
Slide 2: Concept - A brief overview of the film's concept and genre, usually including a logline.
Slide 3: Story - A summary of the film's plot, including the main characters and their arcs
Slide 4: Comparatives - Compares the project with similar successful films in terms of genre, audience, and target market to convey its potential for success.
Slide 5: Financing - Information on the film's current funding and a pitch for potential investors. Including Marketing and distribution plan
Slide 4: Budget - A breakdown of the film's budget, including projected revenue and expenses
Slide 6: Marketing & Distribution - A plan for how the film will be marketed and distributed, including festival submissions and potential distribution deals
Slide 7: Production Plan - A detailed production schedule, including location scouting, pre-production, principal photography, and post-production
Slide 8: Visual Elements - Concept art, storyboards, or footage to give a sense of the film's visual style and tone
Slide 9: Cast & Crew - Introduction of the key cast and crew members, including their previous work and why they were chosen for the film
Slide 10: Contact Information - Contact information for the filmmakers and a call to action for investors to get involved.
You can also add additional slides if necessary. It's important to keep in mind that a pitch deck should be visually engaging and easy to understand, and it should effectively convey the passion and potential of the project.