T1| Wk 3 - Thurs (due Wed Wk 4) Major Task Planning PITCH

 Today you guys are going to create a PITCH for your short film.

A pitch is a short, persuasive presentation that sells a film idea to producers by proving:

• The idea is clear

• The story is engaging

• The audience is defined

• The film is achievable

 

For A2 Media, it must show:

• Narrative understanding

• Genre conventions

• Audience targeting

• Industry awareness

• Practical production thinking

  
  

  Activity: DUE WED 

  
  

  Create a Pitch using the 8 step pitch structure below. Create a slideshow that will be presented as though you were pitching to potential investors, filmed and uploaded to your blog as a Youtube video.

  This can be a shared task but should have equal input for marking purposes, both in the planning and the presentation.

  You'll be marked on the following areas;

  1. Content

  - the actual idea 

  - clarity (clear, structured ideas) 

  - researched

  - creative rationale for choices 

  - feasibility (realistic) 

  - audience awareness is specific and justified

  
  

  2.  presentation 

  - clarity in communication of idea (articulate and concise)

  - professionalism

  - persuasive and confidence in communicating the idea

  - technological tools used in a sophisticated way

  - articulate 

  
  

  The 8-Step Pitch Structure

  Use this framework:

  1. Title & Logline (Hook)

  1–2 sentence summary

  It must include:

  • Protagonist

  • Goal

  • Obstacle

  • Stakes

  
  

  Example:

  When a shy teen accidentally livestreams her private diary, she must track down the hacker before her secrets destroy her reputation.

  2. Genre & Style

  You should answer:

  • What genre?

  • Hybrid genre?

  • Tone? (dark, comedic, surreal, realist?)

  • Visual style?

  Use references:

  • “Inspired by Black Mirror…”

  • “Shot in handheld realism like This Is England…”

  This shows media literacy which is essential for A2.

  ---

  3. Target Audience

  You must define:

  • Age range

  • Gender skew (if relevant)

  • Psychographics (values, interests)

  • Where it would be distributed (festival? YouTube? streaming?)

  Go beyond:
   “Teenagers”
  Rather  “16–21 urban audiences interested in social realism and mental health narratives”

  ---

  4. Narrative Outline (Beginning–Middle–End)

  Not the full script,  just:

  • Setup

  • Conflict

  • Climax

  • Resolution

  Keep it under 1 minute when spoken.

  5. Characters

  Brief description of:

  • Protagonist

  • Antagonist (or central conflict)

  • Key supporting role

  Focus on:

  • Motivation

  • Internal conflict

  • Representation

  6. Themes & Messages

  • What issues are explored?

  • Why does this matter now?

  • How does it reflect contemporary society?

    
    

  This is where theory can be integrated ( Todorov, Hall, etc.)

  7. Visual & Technical Approach

  Students should mention:

  • Cinematography style

  • Colour palette

  • Sound design

  • Editing pace

  • Locations

  • Budget awareness

  This proves production understanding.

  8. Why This Film? (The Sell)

  End with:

  • Why it’s original

  • Why audiences will care

  • Why it’s relevant today

  This is the persuasive close.

  
  

  
  

  Common Mistakes

  • Idea too big for a short film

  • No clear conflict

  • No target audience

  • Confusing genre

  • Overcomplicated plot

  • No clear ending

  Reminder;

  A short film is about one moment of change — not a whole life story.