Core Pitching Principles

Industry Standard Format

• 2-minute pitch structure: Title → Genre → Logline (with ending if needed for clarity)
• Concise storytelling mirrors professional industry expectations
• Voting process simulates real development meetings where projects compete for resources

The Constraint Challenge

• Short format forces precision and clarity in storytelling
• Mark Twain principle: "Sorry to write such a long letter, didn't have time to write short one"
• Constraints breed creativity - limitations often lead to more innovative solutions
• Every element must serve multiple purposes in compressed narrative

Genre Strategy for Short Films

Optimal Genres for 6-minute format:

• Comedy and drama: Rely on character moments rather than complex setup
• Fantasy: Works surprisingly well due to immediate visual impact and clear rules
• Mockumentary: Built-in structure provides efficient storytelling framework

Challenging Genres:

• Thriller/horror require extensive setup to establish stakes and build tension
• Not impossible but demand exceptional skill in visual shorthand and pacing

Essential Storytelling Lessons

Show Don't Tell Fundamentals