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

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มี.ค. 2023
  • 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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ความคิดเห็น • 86

  • @filmcourage
    @filmcourage  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Here is our full interview with Shannan - th-cam.com/video/EUd5hZL62MA/w-d-xo.html

  • @tsbrownie
    @tsbrownie ปีที่แล้ว +60

    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.

    • @africansuperhero
      @africansuperhero ปีที่แล้ว +7

      She is amazing! And yes, VERY good point... "Tools of the Extroverts!" (Sounds like a movie all in itself! 🤣)

  • @osw330904
    @osw330904 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    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-nv1wf
    @James-nv1wf ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Its clear most high budget films have never been pitched.

  • @XxSEETH3RxX
    @XxSEETH3RxX ปีที่แล้ว +12

    There are more ways in than just Hollywood.

  • @UnleashthePhury
    @UnleashthePhury ปีที่แล้ว +12

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

  • @nickfindsgold9788
    @nickfindsgold9788 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    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.

    • @justinwyatt8
      @justinwyatt8 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      When you have power you can be blind

  • @imthebestdirector
    @imthebestdirector ปีที่แล้ว +9

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

  • @kurtjenkins
    @kurtjenkins 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    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!

    • @user-xi3co3yu2z
      @user-xi3co3yu2z 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Agree, 15 minutes of nothing. Just a hook to her series of hollow advice

  • @douglashall4985
    @douglashall4985 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    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...

    • @mickkollins
      @mickkollins หลายเดือนก่อน

      "... Hollywood is so desperate to be seen as relevant"...yep!

  • @reginayfavors
    @reginayfavors ปีที่แล้ว +13

    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.

  • @scifirealism5943
    @scifirealism5943 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Shannon is intelligent and inspirational.

  • @elNan140
    @elNan140 ปีที่แล้ว +6

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

  • @JrtheKing91
    @JrtheKing91 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Great information 💡

  • @mixboy79
    @mixboy79 ปีที่แล้ว +5

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

  • @colstonlchinese
    @colstonlchinese ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Shannan is so thorough! Thank you for sharing!

  • @MrTitanic222
    @MrTitanic222 ปีที่แล้ว +3

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

  • @AdonisMediaProductions
    @AdonisMediaProductions ปีที่แล้ว +9

    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

  • @shopski
    @shopski ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Amzing stuff!!!

  • @gwtolley
    @gwtolley 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great information. Thank you!

  • @huwwackman_excel
    @huwwackman_excel ปีที่แล้ว +10

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

    • @resofactor
      @resofactor ปีที่แล้ว +5

      A lot of ego and group ego in this line of work.

    • @MuttonChopYaz
      @MuttonChopYaz ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I've been trying for 10+ years and have been largely ignored. It's mega frustrating and largely a waste of my time and effort. Plus, I'm still 20 grand in the hole from loans for film school.

  • @sibusisoboemah
    @sibusisoboemah ปีที่แล้ว

    Shannan is so captivating and knowledgeable. Thanks for this!

  • @lespierce1565
    @lespierce1565 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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
    @fanartexhibit ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @blackforestgiant648
    @blackforestgiant648 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for your advice, Shannan.

  • @saragillerupt
    @saragillerupt ปีที่แล้ว

    Very useful straightforward information. Thanks!

  • @michaelr3583
    @michaelr3583 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this channel, always fascinating people with a wealth of candidly delivered knowledge

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for posting Michael!

  • @willstraw9988
    @willstraw9988 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is great and very useful. Let's me know what I need to work on being a screenwriter

  • @Andrea-nom
    @Andrea-nom ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Shannan always comes through with straightforward information! Thanks for having her again!

  • @himwiththehair8118
    @himwiththehair8118 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    4:00 I can tell she is super tired of zombies 😂

  • @ericjohnson8326
    @ericjohnson8326 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Of all the interviews I've seen Shannan is the most riveting. She is so on point knows the business, has multiple answers to questions. Knows every aspect of the behind the scenes nuances & is the most confident & believable in her answers. You meet with her you better have your stuff together. Truly appreciate her & would like to see more interviews with her.
    I see some people being interviewed who don't have the answer or can't think fast enough to the questions. Shannan never disappoints😊

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Eric! Great to see you finding value in our interviews with Shannan. Here is a playlist of all the segments we have published with Shannan including our previous 2 full interviews - bit.ly/32pCWAF

    • @ericjohnson8326
      @ericjohnson8326 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@filmcourage Thank you very much. I actually typed in her name and all the interviews came up I'm watching them now. Thank you very much. Things I've learned from watching your show have helped me tremendously Im my writing & going about the business. Thank you

    • @filmcourage
      @filmcourage  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      We are happy to hear that! Our best to you as you move forward on your journey!

  • @lacolem1
    @lacolem1 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Executives: “We don’t take zombies”
    *The Last of Us becomes huge hit*
    Executives: “Whoa there, friend! Let’s talk!”

  • @subramanianramamoorthy3413
    @subramanianramamoorthy3413 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Shannan is back with a bang

  • @michaelmartinez7414
    @michaelmartinez7414 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This is sad, I learned more from your 12min interview with her then a high price seminar ".

  • @lukewarmwater5320
    @lukewarmwater5320 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This woman is really slick and straightforward...

  • @malusisoko7030
    @malusisoko7030 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Shanon is brilliant

  • @filmcourage
    @filmcourage  ปีที่แล้ว +6

    How is this video helpful to you?

    • @T00muchF00Dchannel
      @T00muchF00Dchannel ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It helps me know that I need someone to help me pitch. I can only imagine I get nervous and then they take it as me not knowing my story.

    • @EricHeidenAuthor
      @EricHeidenAuthor ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It reminded me of the importance of building relationships.

    • @Anonymouse007
      @Anonymouse007 ปีที่แล้ว

      Act casual

  • @scifirealism5943
    @scifirealism5943 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    CAN SHANNON BE PRESIDENT OF HOLLYWOOD?

  • @sichtbeton
    @sichtbeton ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I wouldn’t want to work with somebody that arrogant anyways.

  • @zstopperuno
    @zstopperuno 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Social media - useless.

  • @rodrickwimberly3245
    @rodrickwimberly3245 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I just LOVE Shannan! I am a junkie for everything that she does and when I create my media company, I'm going to see if I can coax her to work for (or with) us :) She is very knowledgeable, really authentic, and just a person that you would like to share ideas with, which is very important in a professional setting.

  • @JohnWick-mv5pr
    @JohnWick-mv5pr 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What brilliant insight from Shannan. I want to thank Film Courage for finding such an accurate executive regarding this topic. This information was and is a blessing to listen to. I have to Pitch soon, and I believe I have all the bases covered.

  • @Antigone-yp6ht
    @Antigone-yp6ht 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hollywood is a ridiculous industry. It's tiring to hear all this crap. We need a Hollywood that works. Good bye.!!!!

  • @BloodDjimon614
    @BloodDjimon614 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Sometimes Pitches just be crazy

  • @pauldeleonfilm
    @pauldeleonfilm 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    If you got a really good script you might not want to sell it anyway it’s worth more if you sit on it.

  • @Andrea-nom
    @Andrea-nom ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I don’t want to be on Twitter Shannan dear Lord.

  • @nadjakallisfilms4858
    @nadjakallisfilms4858 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hey there! Do any of you have tips on who to follow and interact with on Twitter like she said? Like, with what people does it make sense, who actually does these "send in your scripts" once in a while and who is less likely to respond? :)

  • @HarryJoiner
    @HarryJoiner ปีที่แล้ว

    Okay: This lady is smart as hell.

  • @aqgidadu
    @aqgidadu ปีที่แล้ว

  • @TheJuzi
    @TheJuzi ปีที่แล้ว +1

    i pitched to 15 production companys in July as part of the Fade In grand prize. All the top ones too. I got 2 call backs. Ask me anything.

    • @poolgoldworldwild2163
      @poolgoldworldwild2163 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      What were the pitches? (if you're allowed to share them)

    • @sibral
      @sibral ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Did you meet via Zoom or video call in any of these pitches? Is there much difference?

    • @TheJuzi
      @TheJuzi ปีที่แล้ว

      @@sibral It was all done with zoom, they said that most meetings are done on zoom now.

    • @thestockimagequeen
      @thestockimagequeen ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Did they say why they called you back? What feedback did you get?

    • @TheJuzi
      @TheJuzi ปีที่แล้ว

      @@thestockimagequeen They were interested in reading the script. they said they enjoyed it but had a full slate. I didn't sell it but came close.

  • @l.b.2392
    @l.b.2392 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wait, so does that mean a yes on the zombies?

  • @kirilvalchanov7385
    @kirilvalchanov7385 ปีที่แล้ว

    What if there’s no story, nothing but nonsenses or pieces of many other stories.
    For example, the best way is to use a local hero or famous rock star and we can crash them on the ground, running them completely. The story will be sweet and cheesy..

  • @comentaristametaforico9287
    @comentaristametaforico9287 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sooo... no zombies?

  • @wexwuthor1776
    @wexwuthor1776 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    But I don't care about your dog. I just want 100k for my script.

  • @gabrielcaro
    @gabrielcaro ปีที่แล้ว +4

    First

  • @BMichaelGalloway
    @BMichaelGalloway ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Yeah, be Caucasian & hetero Male.

  • @AcademyNS
    @AcademyNS ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Greetings from 2023. Is Twitter still the place to be, now that Elon is in charge?

  • @blackerpanther3329
    @blackerpanther3329 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’ve heard better