How do you guys pitch ideas? at DVinfo.net

Stephen J. Williams · February 23rd, 2010, 03:36 PM

I know that there are plenty of ways to approach this. But I want to know what the most of you guys do when pitching a storyboard idea. Do you use storyboard programs? Do you try to explain what your visualizing in your head? Pictures?
I've seen some very impressive STD or love story videos that I know must have been a project to pitch to B&G.
Looking for any advice.
AS far as programs... All I have is the hitchcock application on my iphone. I would be better off though taking pics and making something come together in FCP.

Steve

Travis Cossel · February 23rd, 2010, 03:58 PM

I think storyboarding is incredibly useful. That said, my sketching skills are horrible, so I generally prepare a rough script first and then verbally describe (pitch) the idea to the couple. Sometimes I storyboard some of it for myself, but I'd probably never show the couple because they wouldn't have a clue what I drew. d;-)

Aaron Mayberry · February 23rd, 2010, 04:21 PM

I pitch the idea/concept, not really the shot-by-shot storyboard.

After they agree with the idea, I will storyboard it out for my sake, not the clients. I draw ugly stick figures and keep it simple, only enough detail to get the point across.

I couldn't justify spending too much time on a making a really nice storyboard to have a client look at it for 10 seconds and go "okay, whatever you think".

Philip Howells · February 24th, 2010, 12:12 AM

Simple - use the communication skills that you have and ignore those you lack. Like Travis I can't draw worth a toffee so I use words to describe my "pictures". One a couple of occasions when pitching a script I played some appropriate backing music on a tape as I read the pitch. The clients liked it but they might also have liked some pictures if I could draw!

Susanto Widjaja · February 24th, 2010, 04:22 AM

Hi Stephen,

I agree with Philip on this one. I never draw storyboards to pitch to my clients.

I merely just use words to pitch to them and luckily they are usually convinced :P

It is how you tell them I guess... if you tell them the story with a lot of passion and optimism.. then they would believe in you and spend the $$$ :P

Santo

Stephen J. Williams · February 24th, 2010, 01:59 PM

Hey guys...

Thanks for getting back with me. I have that "fun couple" that i've been waiting for. She has a couple of ideas but I wanted to build off of them without scarring her away (from my ideas at least).
Hopefully I'll be able to describe in detail with words what I have pictured in my head.

Steve

February 23rd, 2010, 03:36 PM	#1
Stephen J. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 768	How do you guys pitch ideas? I know that there are plenty of ways to approach this. But I want to know what the most of you guys do when pitching a storyboard idea. Do you use storyboard programs? Do you try to explain what your visualizing in your head? Pictures? I've seen some very impressive STD or love story videos that I know must have been a project to pitch to B&G. Looking for any advice. AS far as programs... All I have is the hitchcock application on my iphone. I would be better off though taking pics and making something come together in FCP. Steve

February 23rd, 2010, 03:58 PM	#2
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	I think storyboarding is incredibly useful. That said, my sketching skills are horrible, so I generally prepare a rough script first and then verbally describe (pitch) the idea to the couple. Sometimes I storyboard some of it for myself, but I'd probably never show the couple because they wouldn't have a clue what I drew. d;-) __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

February 23rd, 2010, 04:21 PM	#3
Aaron Mayberry Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Flint, MI Posts: 212	I pitch the idea/concept, not really the shot-by-shot storyboard. After they agree with the idea, I will storyboard it out for my sake, not the clients. I draw ugly stick figures and keep it simple, only enough detail to get the point across. I couldn't justify spending too much time on a making a really nice storyboard to have a client look at it for 10 seconds and go "okay, whatever you think". __________________ www.styleandmotion.com - Modern Wedding Films based in Michigan www.miweddingblog.com - Michigan's dedicated wedding blog

February 24th, 2010, 04:22 AM	#5
Susanto Widjaja Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 622	Hi Stephen, I agree with Philip on this one. I never draw storyboards to pitch to my clients. I merely just use words to pitch to them and luckily they are usually convinced :P It is how you tell them I guess... if you tell them the story with a lot of passion and optimism.. then they would believe in you and spend the $$$ :P Santo __________________ If a picture is worth a thousand words, what about motion picture? website: www.papercranes.com.au \| blog: www.weddingvideosydney.net

February 24th, 2010, 12:12 AM	#4
Philip Howells Trustee Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 1,212	Simple - use the communication skills that you have and ignore those you lack. Like Travis I can't draw worth a toffee so I use words to describe my "pictures". One a couple of occasions when pitching a script I played some appropriate backing music on a tape as I read the pitch. The clients liked it but they might also have liked some pictures if I could draw!

February 24th, 2010, 01:59 PM	#6
Stephen J. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 768	Hey guys... Thanks for getting back with me. I have that "fun couple" that i've been waiting for. She has a couple of ideas but I wanted to build off of them without scarring her away (from my ideas at least). Hopefully I'll be able to describe in detail with words what I have pictured in my head. Steve