pitch book

[gem770]

hi, i'm new to the whole forum thing so not sure what im really doing! but i need help!!

i have a few ideas for feature animation and want to put a pitch book/show bible together, and then pitch it!!! but i dont know what im supposed to include in it, do i need a completed script or just a basic story layout, full character sheets and profiles etc, do i need to put in any scenes or drawings, reasearch, visual development?? help!! i dont want to over do it, but i also dont want to look unprofessional.(i know a bit about the animation industry, i have a BA in Animation, but we didint cover this and it was quite a while a go, im totally out of touch!)

if anyone could help me i would be very greatfull, also if anyone knows anything else about the "evil" world of pitching then that is very welcome information too!!!
thanks alot, gem770

[L_Finston]

i have a few ideas for feature animation and want to put a pitch book/show bible together, and then pitch it!!!The topic of pitch books has been discussed here before, and pretty thoroughly. I suggest you have a search through the forums.

I'm going to say something you're not going to like now: If you don't have lots of your own money to invest, you are almost certainly barking up the wrong tree. Feature animation costs huge sums of money. It's just not a realistic goal. The animation business is very tough and getting tougher. It's also hard to get an animated TV show produced --- virtually impossible for an outsider is more like it. I think a portfolio, a showreel, or a comic would be goals that are quite ambitious enough for a single person. Who knows? If someone who does the hiring for an animation studio likes it, they might give you a job. Actually getting the chance to use your own ideas is something else entirely. With a comic, you at least have some chance that it could be published, even if it's just by yourself. The comics business ain't a bowl of cherries, either.

I truly wish I could be more encouraging.

Laurence Finston

[gem770]

hi, thanks for taking the time to reply, i figured i would get a 'kick up the backside' from reality kind of reply!! i'll have a look through like you suggested, thanks. just so you know i had no illusions of producing the film myself, i only wanted to sell my idea! i enjoy writing story's and drawing so thought i would give it a go! you never know what may happen! but i appreciate your advice.

[L_Finston]

hi, thanks for taking the time to reply,
You're welcome.

i figured i would get a 'kick up the backside' from reality kind of reply!!Sorry, I hate disillusioning people. Been there myself.

i'll have a look through like you suggested, thanks.There was a thread with very detailed information a few months ago.

just so you know i had no illusions of producing the film myself, i only wanted to sell my idea!Yeah, I figured. Sorry, I expressed myself poorly. My point was, you probably won't be able to sell it, so the only way to get it produced would probably be to finance it yourself. This isn't realistic for most people.

it's just a side line thing really! i enjoy writing story's and drawing so thought i would give it a go!Art, comics, and animation are great things to do for their own sake. For most people, it's hard to make a living doing them. If I had my way, things would be different.

Laurence

[gem770]

hi, thanks, it's ok, i don't think your a destroyer of dreams!!! i appreciate your advice. i'm still searching through the archives at the mo looking for anything on pitch books!!

[L_Finston]

it's ok, i don't think your a destroyer of dreams!!!Well, I'm glad somebody doesn't think so.

i'm still searching through the archives at the mo looking for anything on pitch books!!Up toward the top right side of the browser window, under the top bars, there's a "Search" link you can click on. If you enter "pitch bible book", you'll find links to some relevant threads.

Laurence

[gem770]

great thanks! wow people are so helpfull here!!:)

[skinnylizard]

gem770, i have worked on pitch books for other people as well for myself. usually there is a set kind of format where there is certain information which must be introduced.

i know some people even follow a set layout.

i have written bout it on my blog as well as on this forum.

a bit swamped right now. if you cant find it ill try and give you a lowdown

[gem770]

hi, i'm sorry to be a total pain, but i couldn't find anything on your blog, and the one i found in your threads wouldn't direct me to the extra info. i know you have all probably had endless disscussions about pitch books/bibles!!! (cant believe some people are so touchy!) but i cant find them, i've been looking for bloody ages and my wrist is hurting from using the mouse!!(take pitty on poor me!) any info you can give me whenever you have a spare five would be really appreciated. im in no rush!!-(thats not a sarcastic comment by the way! im really not in a rush!) thanks.:D

[L_Finston]

i know you have all probably had endless disscussions about pitch books/bibles!!! [...] but i cant find them, i've been looking for bloody ages and my wrist is hurting from using the mouse!!I don't quite get this. Did the search not work? Or did it just not turn up anything useful?

I can't help you with the specifics of pitch books. However, if you want to get started working, I think a script for a pilot and set of character designs would be good places to start, and keep you plenty busy while you find out more. I'd actually rather see pictures of the characters doing something, but I've discovered that what I want to see and what studios want to see are quite different. Studios and broadcasters might actually provide information about what they want to see in a pitch. You might find pointers to this information on their websites, or they might tell you if you ask them.

Laurence

[gem770]

hi,
i couldn't really find anything about the actual content of a book. but your idea is a good one, to ask studio's, it's worth a try! thanks:)

[skinnylizard]

Gem. here is soemthign i throw together in bout 2 mins off the top of my head

Opening page
Character splash sheet with One line description of the project
Brief - Mention style, theme, duration,demographic, market, episodes,current status
About the project - the gist, target, themes,what makes it special
Characters - descriptions,details
Synopsis of episodes
One script

im sure im missing something there.

[gem770]

thats great, thankyou very much, i appreciate it.:)

[gem770]

hi me again, one more question and i'll leave everyone alone!!
does anyone know, if your pitching for a feature length animation, then do you need a whole script, or just a bit of one? :confused: