This S*%t is Hard! How to Overcome Pre-Pitch Anxiety
Love it or hate it, if you're a screenwriter, pitching is a part of the job that never goes away. The higher your level of success, the more people will be clamoring for you to pitch them on your projects.
But even though having to pitch is a good problem to have, I know that doesn’t make it any easier. Most writers aren’t actors. It’s not fair that you have to “perform” as a screenwriter (especially in front of Hollywood decision makers who have the power to change your life), but that’s the way it is.
If you’re a writer who experiences pre-pitch anxiety (and only a handful don’t), here are 5 ways to help curb your fears and feel confident in the room…
1. Be uber prepared, then let it go
Preparation is one of the best defenses against pre-pitch anxiety. So do your homework: know your script, know your story, know your characters, know the genre, know your strengths as a writer, research the company and the people you are pitching to. Get to the point where you can recite the details in your sleep (in a dynamic, structured, conversational way). Then rehearse the pitch out loud with a friend or a peer (Pro Tip: have them ask you questions that might come up during the actual pitch). Then - let all of it GO. Seriously. If you’re truly prepared, all of the details will be there when you need them. Don’t worry about reciting it word for word in the room - trying to remember it perfectly will only send your anxiety even further off the charts (and odds are you’ll come off as robotic and unauthentic). Just trust your homework and focus on having a conversation about a story you’re deeply passionate about. It’s just “once upon a time” storytelling.
2. Breathe
This advice isn’t earth shattering, but it really can make all the difference. When you’re stressed your breathing increases dramatically, which can make all of those nagging, negative pre-pitch thoughts ten times worse (and make you more likely to “speed talk” once you’re in the actual room). So schedule some time before your pitch to practice some deep breathing (or do a short meditation that incorporates deep breathing - the Calm app has some great ones). Even just a few minutes can make you feel less anxious and more grounded.
3. Find a way to get in “Game Mode”
Many star athletes, actors, even Beyonce have a physical and/or verbal ritual to get their head in the game before a concert, red carpet, or playoff match. Why? Doing something physical or verbal moves your focus out of your head, away from any anxious thoughts, and into your body. So what movement or phrase might help you feel confident pre-pitch? Maybe it’s a power pose, or simply tying your hair back? Maybe it’s saying out loud, “You’ve got this” or “F*** it!” It sounds silly, but it can be a great way to mentally “flip the switch” from anxiety and fear to confidence, excitement, and focus.
4. Resist social media and email
Most of us have a few minutes to “kill” before a pitch. Whether you're in a waiting room or in your living room waiting for the Zoom call to connect - resist the urge to scroll. Most of us fill those in-between moments by scrolling Instagram or refreshing our email, but as we all know, email and social media are full of distractions and anxiety triggers. If you go on social media before your pitch - at best it will draw your mind away from the task at hand, and at worst you’ll get an email or see an Instagram post that sends you into a tailspin right before you have to be on your A-Game. In those short moments before your pitch, put the phone down and take the time to breath and just BE.
5. Mentally bring them down to your level
It doesn’t matter if you are pitching to an agent from CAA, an Amazon executive, or Steven Spielberg. They are all real people just like you. They sweat, spill coffee on their clothes sometimes, go to the bathroom, and have anxieties of their own. Yes, they can seem “all powerful” but trust me, they’re just people in a somewhat extraordinary job. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat them with respect, but it does mean you should resist putting them on a pedestal. If you can find a way to think of your pitch as just having a passionate, creative conversation with another passionate, creative person you won’t be so intimidated. Also, executives can’t do their jobs without blazing hot scripts. Being the creative one with the ‘fresh new idea’ means you bring a lot to the table.
At the end of the day, you can’t control whether someone you’re pitching to buys your project, all you can do is go in and talk about it with passion, knowledge, and a positive attitude. If they want it, great. If not, take whatever lessons you learned from this one and move onto the next. I promise the more you pitch, the easier it gets.
What do you do to calm pre-pitch anxiety? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!
For more industry info and tips check out these additional resources:
To learn how to create your “personal logline” read my free e-book, Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds.
For my in-depth video course on breaking into the business go to: Carole Kirschner’s Hollywood Boot Camp.
And you can find my book, Hollywood Game Plan on Amazon or at Michael Wiese Productions (MWP).