Authors: Peter Desberg and Jeffrey Davis

Publisher: McGraw Hill

ISBN:  978-1-2642-6856-6

Calling all wannabe screenwriters. Listen up.

Authors Desberg and Davis say, “when you present an idea, especially if it’s new or controversial, you’ll encounter one of two reactions; People will agree or disagree with it. – When people disagree, they listen quite differently because as they listen, they’re creating counterarguments to your pitch.” (2022, p.16) Desberg and Davis have set forth tried and true ways to overcome this situation in Pitch Like Hollywood.

“There is growing evidence that stories have a greater persuasion effect than fact-based presentations. Stories make it easier t integrate information into one’s own beliefs.” (2022, p.30) However, realize that “talking about story isn’t as effective as experiencing one.”

Tools you will need to truly pitch your work include a logline. “A logline is a short description of your project that presents the essence of the idea. It doesn’t give away the ending. A logline has three essential elements:” (2023, p.42) a protagonist and an antagonist, a conflict, and hook that makes them want to stay with the story.

As a screenwriter you should never underestimate the art of persuasion. “When trying to persuade someone, there are two routes that information takes, and they occur simultaneously, but one tends to have a stronger effect than the other.” (2022, p.62) Desberg and Davis call these the central and alternative routes.

Central routes exhibit the following. “It leads us to think things through and use all the cognitive resources we have available. – We closely examine the evidence supporting it.” (2022, p.62)

“The alternative route people take when someone is trying to persuade them is Peripheral Processing. It involves relying on cues that aren’t fundamental to the core idea but are related in some way to what you are presenting. Generally, it occurs when the states and interest levels ae lower.” (2022, p.63)

So how do you accomplish this? “We like people who makes us feel good about ourselves. Compliments can go a long way towards this end. – Compliments make people easier to persuade.” (2022, p.100)

Sometimes people get anxious or panic when they know their pitch must go well for them to move forward in this highly competitive environment. Desberg and Davis outline two types of pitch panic.

“One is the fear that you won’t be competent enough to perform your pitch well, and the other is fear that your audience will not accept or appreciate you or your work even if you perform it the way you intend to.” (2022, p.122)

Confidence can go along way toward overcoming anxiety and pitch panic. Relaxation training is another way to combat those pre pitch jitters. “Relaxation training calms you down by reducing your anxiety

symptoms. You’ll be doing some deep breathing that will send more oxygen to your brain, making you more aware of what is going on around you. – When you’re focused b relaxing, you’re distracting yourself from these fear-provoking thoughts…” (2022, p.157)

I am not going to give the entire book away, but I will say there is a lot of very helpful advice packed into this read. I enjoyed it and learned a lot in the process and believe you will too.