Austin Pitch at the AFF

[suzbays]

Here's text from an email update I received.

** AUSTIN PITCH

AUSTIN PITCH COMPETITION Slots are rapidly filling for the Austin Pitch
Competition! Spots are limited, so don’t miss out. Once you sign up, you
will be given a time (Thursday, Friday or Saturday) to pitch a panel of
judges (producers, agents and writers). This panel will critique your pitch
(giving you pointers on how to better your technique), and fill out a score
sheet based on your overall "performance." The pitchers who score the
highest will move onto the grand finale Pitch Party on Saturday night. The
party is open to everyone who entered the Pitch Competition. At the Pitch
Party, the writers who scored the highest will pitch a final panel of
judges who will determine a winner of the Austin Pitch Competition (not a
bad bullet for your resume!).

Our goals are to create a competition that can help writers learn how to
better pitch, offer an opportunity for writers to "wow" producers and open
doors to successful screenwriting careers. It only costs $15 dollars to
enter the competition and to enjoy the party. Spots are limited. You must
be registered to attend the conference in order to register for the Pitch
Competition. Pitch times may conflict with panels or other scheduled
events. No refunds will be given.

May the best pitch win!

Here is a quick list of production companies attending the Festival:
Miramax, Arrival Pictures, Warner Brothers, Kismet Entertainment Group,
Columbia, Gross Entertainment, Fox 2000, Tarmac Films, Mandeville Films,
Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Pixar, Focus Features, Mad Chance Films,
Nickelodeon, Manhattan Project Limited, Andrew Lauren Productions, Williams
Pierce Entertainment, Fortress Entertainment and The Department of Motion
Pictures, just to name a few.


** A Word from the Conference Director

Holy Mary Mother of something or other, have you seen who’s attending, have
you taken notice of the part-ays, made a checklist of our premiere film
screenings! Honestly, and trust me when I say this, I know what’s cool.
It’s that simple because I’m the super coolest dude in this town, at least
for the first four days of the conference. You know why? I’ll tell you
why, because our Distinguished Screenwriter Award Winner Frank Pierson
(Dog Day Afternoon), our Outstanding Television Writer Award Recipient Tom
Fontana (creator "Oz"), Bryan Singer (director of The Usual Suspects, X-Men), are going
to be here with some advice from way up in the Hollywood hills.

Of course there’s also Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential), David Benioff (25th
Hour), and Linwood Boomer (creator "Malcom in the Middle"). Did I mention
that Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean, Shrek), Chris &
Paul Weitz (About a Boy), and Peter Hedges (Pieces of April), among a whole
slew of guests will be waiting to accept a free Drink on your tab at the
Driskill Bar? No! Well you weren’t listing.

***

[suzbays]

I spoke with someone at Austin today. He asked if I was going to pitch and I said I'd bought a ticket but I was nervous. He got all excited and wanted to tell me which production companies they had lined up. I specifically told him I didn't want to know b/c it'd make me more nervous but he said he had to tell me just one. So, for those of you who might want to know, they have someone from Columbia. I realize I should be excited about this but I'd feel better if I thought it wasn't going to be that meaningful an opportunity. Now I have two weeks to get my act together, figure out what I'm going to pitch and rewrite other stuff. I'm excited about this year's panels and stuff, but it's so much work getting ready.

Oh, I also saw an email saying the discounted registration did not expire. That means they'll honor the discounted prices up to the day of the conference, if any of you still want to go. 8o

Susan