2013 Pitch Pit Instructions

On Friday, May 10, from 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m., NATPE’s PitchCon will provide attendees rare access to studios, networks, cable channels, syndicators, distributors and independent production companies specializing in television who are actively looking for new material and talent – all in one room.

The Pitch Pit is a very exciting process and we ask that everyone follow these instructions so that the event is as successful as possible for everyone involved.

PITCH PIT OVERVIEW

This year’s Pitch Pit meeting times will be 10 minutes each with 5-minute breaks in between meetings for the Catchers and Pitchers.

Come prepared with your short pitch and also be able to go into some of the details on your project.

Please note that while NATPE works to ensure the continued participation of confirmed Pitch Pit Catchers, occasionally Catchers will cancel and NATPE makes no guarantee as to the continued participation of confirmed Catchers. In case of Catcher cancellations, NATPE is not responsible but will make every reasonable effort to facilitate an acceptable substitute.

SIGN-UP APPOINTMENTS

• Attendees who registered by April 30 are guaranteed to receive two confirmed Pitch Pit meetings in advance of the event.

• Attendees who purchased the Ultimate Pitch Package are guaranteed to receive four confirmed Pitch Pit meetings in advance of the event and a Pitch Critique (critique scheduled for Thursday, May 9).

• All other PitchCon attendees who register after April 30 will be eligible to sign up for their first two Pitch Pit meetings onsite and will be given an appointment scheduled for Thursday, May 9 (during PitchCon) from 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 4pm to sign up for their first two Pitch Pit meetings. Registrants will receive their appointment time via an e-mail confirmation. It is important for the registrant to bring a printout of this e-mail with them to their sign-up appointment.

• Registrants will receive Pitch Pit meeting confirmations via e-mail on May 3. Please make sure to check your e-mail. If you haven’t received confirmation of your Pitch Pit meetings by May 6, please contact Jenean Atwood Baynes at the NATPE office at 310-857-1622.

• All PitchCon attendees with Pitch Pit meetings confirmed in advance via e-mail will need to stop by the Pitch Pit sign-up desk on Thursday, May 9 to receive their official pitch appointments confirmation form. The Pitch Pit sign-up desk will be located in the Louie Room at the SLS Hotel.

SIGN-UP PROCEDURES

• Select carefully as we will not be able to change your confirmed appointments.

• We are not able to guarantee your top two choices although every effort will be made to accommodate your choices in order of preference.

• Review the Catcher Company Bios online or in the Pitch Pit Catchers handout. Decide which companies you would like to pitch to. Consider who might be the most likely buyer for your project(s), who might be the most suitable representation for you, etc.

• Review and sign the NATPE Pitch Pit Release form. If you are signing up in advance of PitchCon you will need to electronically accept terms of the Release in order to be confirmed for your first two meetings. If you are signing up onsite, you will need to submit the signed form in order to receive your first two meetings.

• If you are signing up for your first two Pitch Pit meetings onsite, be prepared with your top five choices when requesting appointments and look for updates regarding catchers who are full.

• We will open up the Pitch Pit schedule at 7:30 a.m. on Friday to sign up for additional Pitch opportunities until every Catcher is completely booked. Please refrain from asking the staff if you may sign up early. Staff will be concentrating on setting up and prepping the Pit for you.

• Starting at 7:30 a.m., we will be signing Pitchers up as quickly as possible on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing one appointment per rotation in line. We ask for your patience during what will undoubtedly be a very busy time. Please make sure you provide yourself sufficient time between the pitches you schedule. If you are late to or miss your pitch meeting, it will be reassigned.

PITCHING

You must be in line for your pitch session 10 minutes before your scheduled time. There will be two lines:

Line A and Line B.

Line A will be for pitches at 9 a.m., 9:30, 10:15, 10:45, 11:30 and noon

Line B will be for pitches at 9:15 a.m., 9:45, 10:30, 11:15, 11:45 and 12:15 p.m.

You will have up to 10 minutes for your pitch. If you finish your meeting before the pitch period is up, please leave the table to open up an opportunity for Pitchers waiting in the Bullpen.

At the 5-minute mark, the first warning bell will chime. When you are pitching, this will serve as your halfway marker. The bell will chime for a second time at the 8-minute mark to serve as a reminder to wrap up your pitch. The bell will chime for a third time at the 10-minute mark when your appointment is over. Please be respectful to the Catcher and to the next Pitcher by concluding your pitch promptly.

BULLPEN

In the case of missed meetings, pitches that end early, or Catchers with time slots available, Pitchers may wait in the Bullpen for standby opportunities to present themselves. This is on a first-come, first-served basis and will be moderated by Pitch Pit staff.

FOLLOW-UP

Please be appreciative and respectful of the professionals who have taken an entire morning out of their busy schedules to hear pitches.

• Do not give the Catchers scripts, treatments, tapes or any other material unless requested.

• Be open to constructive feedback they may be willing to offer.

• They will most likely only provide you with a business card or other contact information if they are interested in your pitch. If you are following up after the event, proper protocol is to reference NATPE PitchCon so they will remember the source of the submission.

RELEASE FORMS

Companies participating in the Pitch Pit may require an additional release form you will need to sign before pitching.

If you are confirmed for a meeting with a company requiring a separate signed release form, you may pick up a copy of their specific release at either the Pitch Pit sign-up desk or from the Catcher to whom you are pitching.

IMPORTANT NOTES
• Once an attendee is confirmed in advance for pitch appointments, no rescheduling will be allowed. This is due to limited resources, helps us keep staffing costs from escalating and keeps registration fees manageable.

• All attendees who schedule their appointments in advance will need to bring their confirmation e-mail to the Pitch Pit sign-up desk on Thursday, May 9 to get official confirmation forms for their appointments.

• While NATPE works to ensure the continued participation of confirmed Pitch Pit Catchers, occasionally Catchers will cancel and NATPE makes no guarantee as to the continued participation of confirmed Catchers. In case of Catcher cancellations, NATPE is not responsible but will make every reasonable effort to facilitate an acceptable substitute.

• NATPE reserves the right to modify the sign-up procedures as the 2013 Pitch Pit develops.

CODE OF CONDUCT

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS

• Arrive early for your pitch appointments.

• Adhere to the Pitch Pit Do’s & Don’ts.

• For questions about Catchers or their companies, please refer to the online catchers list, Pitch Pit Addendum and/or inquire at the on-site

Pitch Pit help desk.

• Remember to be courteous not only to the Catchers but to your fellow attendees and NATPE staffers!

We MUST have your completed SUBMISSION RELEASE AGREEMENT on file in order to participate in Pitch Pit. Companies participating in the Pitch Pit may require an additional release form you will need to sign before pitching.

DO: Introduce yourself and state a few key points about your background before you launch into your pitch. Create a logline on yourself as you’ve done for your pitch.

DO: Your Homework! Know who you are pitching to. Make sure that they’re the right people for the format of your show. Do the research, know what they’re looking for and deliver it! In addition, you must know your intended audience and why your idea will appeal to them. Check out their pitching preferences using the PitchCon online schedule and Pitch Pit Online Catchers List

DO: Be Prepared! Practice! Know your pitch backwards, forwards and upside down and don’t use notes. Anticipate possible questions that you may be asked and know how to answer them.

DO: Be Brief! Condense your pitch into a short, concise presentation. Make it catchy and easy to “get.” Have a logline that describes the basic premise and purpose of your show. Leave time for interruptions and questions.

DO: Be Passionate! (Not too passionate – don’t forget that this is essentially a business meeting.) Make it clear that you believe in your idea 100%. If you’re enthusiastic about it, your enthusiasm will spread.

DO: Make your Catcher feel like they’re involved in the process. If they make comments, don’t dismiss them. Let them know that you are flexible and that you welcome constructive criticism and feedback.

DO: Maintain your focus! Pitch as if this is your only pitching opportunity of the day. If you’re thinking ahead to the next Catcher on your schedule, your current Catcher will pick up on it. Connect with the person in front of you!

DO: Be professional and look professional. Be organized and have your contact information all in one place and ready to hand out. Be neat and clean and have some breath mints on hand. Remember, you’re not just pitching your idea, you’re pitching yourself!

DO: Have more than one pitch prepared. If you have extra time, you might want to present another idea OR ask your Catcher, “What else are you looking for?”

DON’T: Contact the Catchers or their companies prior to the event. This is NOT professional and will NOT be appreciated.

DON’T: Stalk the Catchers! Once your pitch is over and you’ve given them your contact info and one-sheet, move on.

DON’T: Use props! No one wants to see you fumbling with your bag of tricks. Your pitch should be so clear and so organized that the only prop you’ll need is you. Gimmicks don’t work!

DON’T: Give the Catchers any extra material unless it is requested. This includes scripts, treatments, tapes and gifts.

DON’T: Overstay your welcome! When your scheduled appointment is over – it’s over! Please be respectful of the next Pitcher in line by concluding your pitch promptly and allowing them to begin their meeting on time.

DON’T: Press the Catchers for contact information if they do not offer it.

DON’T: Solicit Catchers or panel speakers for jobs!

DON’T: Sit down with a catcher that you are not scheduled to meet with! This is disrespectful to your fellow Pitchers and is grounds for removal from the Pitch Pit. If you finish a meeting early or want to meet with a Catcher that you do not have an appointment with, you may wait in the Bullpen for a standby opportunity.