Every aspiring media professional has heard the term "pitch deck" referenced in classes, seminars, and on social media, but why do you need one, and how can you make sure yours stands out while still following industry standards?
To answer these questions, we must understand exactly what a pitch deck is. First, it should be noted that pitch decks are not just used in the film industry, but in a wide range of industries, from fashion to construction. However, for this article, we will focus on pitch decks for film.
In short, a film's pitch deck is a brief presentation given to potential investors, producers, networks, and even actors to explain the "vision" of the project. These are people who rarely have time to read an entire screenplay, so a pitch deck provides the who, what, when, where, and why of the plot. The goal is to present the film in an appealing yet concise way so people (people with money) are excited to get on board with your project.
But how do you do that?
Searching the internet for ways to build the perfect pitch deck can feel overwhelming, with hundreds of websites outlining dos and don'ts, mixing soft recommendations with hard requirements. So I'll keep things simple and explain what is generally expected in every successful pitch deck.
Logline
First, you'll need a logline: a one-sentence introduction to your project's story. A logline is one of the most essential tools at a filmmaker's disposal. Though it may seem unintimidating, a good logline can take a long time to craft, as condensing the plot of an entire film into a few words can be painstaking.
There are a few important guidelines to remember when writing loglines: first, avoid using a character's name, as it doesn't give the reader any valuable information about who they are; instead, provide a brief description of the character. For instance, instead of saying Peter Parker, you could say "an awkward teen raised by his aunt and uncle". This not only helps the audience better understand the characters, but it also requires the filmmaker to think about what the most important traits of each character are.
Secondly, at the core of every good logline is the conflict of the film, which should stay at the front of the reader's mind and leave them intrigued to learn how the characters will overcome it. Note that loglines aren't summaries; you don't need to explain every problem your characters encounter and how they overcome them. Remember your goal is to get people interested.
Finally, as you revise your logline, find ways to incorporate the tone of the project into your sentence. Add some wit if it's a comedy or suspense if it's a horror. Doing this will not only showcase your skill as a writer but also begin to immerse your audience.
If you're feeling stuck, don't worry; it's all part of the process! I recommend researching the loglines of some of your favorite films to get inspiration; here are some of my personal favorites:
A computer hacker discovers that his life is nothing more than an elaborate simulation run by an evil AI. — "The Matrix" (1999)
After a banker is sentenced to life in Shawshank Prison, he forms an unlikely friendship with a seasoned inmate and clings to hope amid cruelty and corruption. — "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994)
In the small town of Woodsboro, California, a masked killer known as Ghostface begins murdering high school students, and a group of friends must use their knowledge of horror movies to unmask the killer. — Scream (1996)
Synopsis
Once your logline has hooked its audience with a vague concept of the story, it's time to go in depth. While you only had a sentence for your logline, here you can use a few sentences to take the audience through the broad narrative beats.
You don't need to get too specific, but feel free to add in character names and take the reader on an adventure. By the end of the synopsis, the person you're presenting to should know the overall plot diagram of the movie (plot twists included!). At this point, you are painting a picture of the kind of story you're trying to tell.
On a separate slide, it can also help to include a character breakdown, which highlights a few main characters, explaining their key traits, arcs, and roles throughout the film. Feel free to use bullet points for character summaries to convey the information as clearly and concisely as possible.
Director's Statement
The director's statement is arguably the most powerful part of any pitch deck. In short, the Director's statement is a brief yet poignant note on why this film needs to be told right now and told by you specifically.
This is where you can really dig into the "why" behind the film: what is it trying to say? How do you relate to it? What inspired you to make this film, and why should people watch it? Answering these questions authentically can help you stand out not just as a filmmaker, but as an individual, and in the film industry, standing out is everything.
A strong director's statement will also be crucial to keep in mind during the production process, as having a firm declaration of why the film needs to be made can help inspire you and the rest of the crew during long shoot days and setbacks.
If nothing else, your director's statement should prove to you and your audience that you believe in the story you're trying to tell and that they should too.
Mood Board
Pitch Decks have a lot of information to convey and not much time to convey it, so in an environment where every word is a carefully counted resource, pictures are priceless.
Visuals will help your audience connect with your vision more tangibly and are a quick way to get people excited about your idea, so have fun with it! Think about the colors and inspiration for your project, ask yourself what it would feel like to step into this world, then bring the audience along with you.
Websites like Pinterest and Canva are your best friends here and make it easy to create collages that fit the aesthetic you're going for. You can also get creative with it; instead of creating a collage, maybe you sprinkle the images throughout your presentation, or perhaps print the photos out.
If you've assembled a team at this point, I encourage you to get them involved. Ask the makeup, costume, and lighting designers to send you ideas for what they're imagining the final project to look like; you may end up creating an entirely new vibe for your project or avoiding a miscommunication that would've led to an inconsistent final product.
The mood board is essential for clarifying your vision not just for your audience, but for you and your team.
Finances
As much as a film may seek to entertain, inform, and inspire, it must also make money. When pitching to a potential investor, providing proof of profitability can help bring your film to life.
But how do you do that?
First, you need to outline how much the movie costs. Take everything into account. From renting equipment and locations to paying for crew and catering, costs can add up quickly. Understand that life happens, and you are likely to incur unexpected costs, so make sure to account for them in your budget. If you start getting overwhelmed by the price tags, don't worry; League of Filmmakers has a plethora of articles about filmmaking on a budget.
Once you know how much it will cost to make your film, you need to identify how your film will make the money back. Is there proof of an audience? How will you distribute your film? Is there potential for franchising or merchandise? The goal is to make your audience confident that their investment is worth the risk; demonstrating thorough financial planning is the best way to do that.
Pitch Decks can be intimidating; just a few minutes can mean the difference between your next big break and another month of investor outreach, but they don't have to be scary.
As long as you understand that your goal is to introduce your audience to the world of your story as efficiently as possible, you can tackle the five elements outlined above one step at a time.
Before you know it, the next time you hear the term pitch deck, it'll be out of your mouth.
