One of the networks I met with actually continued to communicate with me about my pitch for some time after the event, helping me to tweak my show concept and improve the treatment. The face time gives you a great opportunity to make those invaluable connections.
-Jacquie LevyProducer, Levy Production GroupI thought I was prepared for my pitch presentation but I was wrong. Hearing from experts in their fields made me realize the elements I was lacking allowing me to recraft my presentation to make the most of it. Being able to question speakers one-on-one is a real plus. PitchCon is a must!
-Daryl Jannuzzi
Writer/Producer, Janco Productions
No self-respecting neurosurgeon would ever consider performing brain surgery without first completing a top notch residency training program. Such is the case when pitching your TV show ideas at the NATPE PitchCon. Sell Your TV Concept Now and their HIT MAKERS TOUR is the Harvard residency program of the TV concept pitching arena. They will guide you, prepare you, and position you for a successful patient outcome with a minimum of blood loss.”
-Paul “Dr. J” Jacobson, M.D.,
The new voice of LaughMD TV
I first attended PitchCon in 2011. I was fresh off completing the first season of my web series The Further Adventures of Cupid and Eros and in the midst of production on another web series as well. What appealed to me was the prospect of being able to pitch my work (and myself as a creator) to a variety of new media companies that were in attendance.
It proved to be a great experience. I focused solely on companies interested in web series, and on enticing their representatives enough to secure follow up meetings or conversations. I succeeded in securing those follow-ups with all 4 companies I pitched to. While only one pitch (to Frank Chindamo of Fun Little Movies) lead to business, all 4 of them laid the groundwork for an ongoing relationship with those companies that I still maintain.
When I attended the following year, this time as one of the presenters at the “Big Screen Little Screen” event, I was even able to follow up with some of the catcher companies who’d returned. The fact that I could go into a pitch, with an already established relationship, was invaluable.
I think any producer can leave PitchCon having gained something valuable, even if you don’t sell your project in the room. While not every catcher is going to be right for your project, if you stick to the ones that are, and focus on your pitch as a tool to open up a dialogue with them, chances are you’ll walk away feeling successful.
-Avi Glijansky
Writer/Director
I think it is an amazing opportunity to learn and get the chance to pitch and see how it all works. I learned a lot about what I need to do to get prepared for NATPE.
-Kirsty Spraggon
Konnection Global LLC
NATPE staff was terrific, professional, and very knowledgeable.
-Matt Aaron
Head Fake Games, LLC
I was extremely impressed by the workers and volunteers on site. Everything went remarkably smoothly and I was able to maneuver through the last minute sign ups with no trouble. The staff was amazing: supportive, enthusiastic, helpful. I've been to many large events and they don't always go this well. Also loved the cocktail party; met lots of great people and shared ideas and contact info.
-Jane Beale
Starferry
I was impressed with how your staff conducted itself in a helpful manner and kept us informed at every turn. You regulated the crowd really well. And you did it with poise.
Also, I was very happy you selected top level executives for us to pitch to. These weren't low level people who couldn't make decisions.
My DP from my sizzle said he was coming next year based on my report to him.
-Jan Dixon Sykes
Open Range Creations
I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I felt that this was very well organized and thought out event and that every attempt was made for our success. I also enjoyed my first PitchPit experience. I was very nervous, but every one of my four pitches I made were to very kind and warm people. Even if my pitch was not what they were looking for, I was let down very nicely and even had suggestions made to me.
-Kim Eoff
Writer
Each of the catchers that I pitched to wanted to get more info on my project and asked to see the manuscript.
-Walter Gavin
The Autobiography of Obsidian Dumar
As with last year, my Pitch Experience was great. I pitched to The CW and My Damn Channel, both of whom were my top choices. In both cases I achieved my goal using the PitchPit as a way to secure a follow up conversation about my projects.
As someone who has been working extensively in Digital/New Media these last few years I was really excited to see the trend continue of highlighting issues revolving around that space.
-Avi Glijansky
Highway 9 Pictures
I loved the fact that you allow us to pre-schedule our top 2 pitches. This relieves some of the stress since it allows us to get into a company we really want. I also loved the 10 minute pitch verses the 5 minute pitch that you have with other pitch fests.
I felt the production companies I met with were helpful, considerate and informative. I was very pleased with their consideration.
-Mary Haarmeyer
Reelflicks Productions, LLC
The pitch pit was great. I really got a chance to hone my pitch skills and learned a lot about how the industry works. The staff was amazing and very helpful.
-Jim Lawyer
Amazing Video Productions
NATPE organized this very well. Everyone was treated professionally and graciously. My hat’s off to NATPE. Well done.
-Susan Lee
Stleo, LLC.
As a first-time pitcher, I found the whole conference enlightening and fun. Two catchers asked me for a script. I gained a lot from networking with the other pitchers, so next year I'll be better prepared.
1. The panels were enlightening and fun.
2. Laurie Scheer's session was great. I'll be taking her Pilot prep class. She gave us a lot of info.
3. You did a great job of organizing and running the conference. You "made the trains run on time".
4. The Big Screen/Little Screen session was great.
5. The venue hotel was ideal for the conference---lots of places to hang out and network with conferees.
6. Because the pitchers had to pay, everyone was a serious pitcher, even if some ideas weren't so hot.
7. The luncheon at the end was good.
-Jim Mueller
D&M Screen Play
The experience was great. I'm in the process of working with BET and several production companies.
The staff was awesome. Very organized and uplifting. Jenean Atwood Baynes was incredible!
-Veda Smith
Hitman Records Inc./Music 4 My Soul LLC
I think you had some great companies there, and most of the catchers were at the executive level. Very impressed.
-Soreyrith Um
Summertime Entertainment
I worked in the industry on the Motion Picture side for many years and just crossed over to television. This was the best experience ever. I will be going to NATPE in Miami next year because of this experience at PitchCon.
-Bobby Val
Implicit Production Group
PitchCon was more than I could've imagined. I learned valuable information, met numerous of aspiring writers and producers, and had the opportunity to meet with some of the best networks/production companies in the business! This was definitely worth every moment!
-Bryan Wright
America's Job Team
The NATPE summer conference was a watershed for me and my project 'The Tales of The Pencilneck'. Just by attending the conference and attending the lectures, I could see very quickly that I was on the right track, except for a couple of key points that were missing from my pitches and treatments. The pitch pit and the advice have been HUGE!!!
- Owen Garrett
Creator, Tales of a Pencilneck
I went to the NATPE summer conference, and it allowed me to reconnect with some knowledgeable and skilled women who have become wonderful resources to me. I pitched to several companies, and both Lifetime & Hallmark indicated interest in my ideas. The rep from Lifetime took my script right there, while Hallmark sent me a release – and the positive feedback encouraged me to continue writing. I have made connections with presidents from both companies, have solidified my projects, and am currently in the process of moving ahead on both.
- Karen Fitzgerald
President, Leap Forward Productions
Through my involvement with the NATPE summer conference, I ended up forming a strategic online media partnership with another woman I had met there. Also, as an independent content producer I learned so much from meeting other producers facing similar challenges and was inspired to new solutions through idea-sharing and brainstorming. I found the festival a great place to network with other industry professionals in an open, friendly, fun, and educational environment.
- Lori Harfenist
Creator, The Resident/Theresident.net
The NATPE summer conference helped me understand how fast things can move and how valuable opportunities can be missed if you are not prepared. I learned to research the companies I wanted to pitch to as well as what crucial networking opportunities I had to take advantage of. I then later applied my knowledge from this event to tailor my pitches at the huge NATPE conference held each year in January. Using what I had learned - I was able to sign a show each year I attended the conference - all from the preparation I gained from the conference.
- Charles Flemings
Executive Producer/Director: Brook Entertainment/BrookEntertainment.com
As a television outsider with a vision for my own project, "Fit and Fabulous Outdoors," I went into the pitch pit and got some valuable information and feedback on how to move forward. The event gave me access to buyers and decision makers that I could have never had otherwise. Those contacts and connections lead to others who helped me champion my project. Not only that, but it helped me learn the "language of television" which helped me brand my product and market it to producers and agents for support!
- Lorrie Sullenberger
Creator, Fit & Fabulous Outdoors / FitandFabulousOutdoors.com
The summer NATPE conference changed my life. Instead of chasing another job I wasn't passionate about, the event made me realize the enormous range of opportunities open to me. I met a former CW executive - and since then have begun a new/old media production company with him. Now I can throw my energy behind something I have a passion for.
- Mildred Lewis
At the NATPE summer conference I made the connections that enabled me to create, produce, and distribute a series entitled, "The African Minute". I also connected with another creator/producer named Charles Flemings, and we are currently launching a series that will be in nearly 16 million homes on CoLours TV very soon. Not only did these connections result in these series, but I learned a ton of helpful information and got to meet so many interesting people in the process. The people, topics, and information were invaluable.
- Arthur O. Thomas
Producer, Main Man Films
Before I attended the conference, I did research on the specific panelists and speakers & decided beforehand who I wanted to speak to. I contacted them before the event and met with several of them & furthered my relationships with them during the two-days. One of those relationships lead to me hiring a new vice president of creative development at my production company. Our combined efforts have contributed to my show being picked up for a second season and is now currently syndicated on ABC affiliates.
- Jake Sasseville
Executive Producer, Foot in Mouth Productions, Host/Producer of "The Edge with Jake Sasseville"
As a working producer of online content, I found the NATPE summer conference incredibly helpful. The conference networking opportunities were invaluable (especially through the sessions focused on digital content), and my peers provided a wonderful "traditional television" perspective on my burgeoning webisode business. As a result of the relationships I maintained after the conference, I landed two development deals for my online content production company.
- Nathan Kitada
Director, 5432 Films
I came to NATPE's summer conference from Missouri as a housewife and stay at home mom with an idea for a TV show. I took what I learned at NATPE's seminars and put them to use at Pitch Pit and got a yes during several of my meetings! Shortly after returning home, I signed a television development deal. I am so thankful every day I attended NATPE's [Summer Event]. It changed my life!
- "Mutha Mae" Mason
MuthaMae.com
One of the things I learned from the two years I attended the NATPE summer conference was the importance of having something to show, even if you are a writer. So I’ve spent more time directing and becoming a writer/director. Thanks to that I have completed a full supernatural thriller webseries “31” that launches on 3/31 at 3:31pm ET. 31 episodes. 31 seconds. 31 days. It is the strangest thing how one’s career evolves in ways you did not expect. But here I am, a writer/director.
- L. C. Cruell
We found the pitch prep to be immensely helpful and used the suggestions in our pitch the following day. We believe it was to our benefit.
-Paul Caldera
Caldera Creations A great time and a great experience. I can only hope that things will result in a show.
Suzanne Lyons was the first [pitch critique mentor], and she was great. I liked the fact that we discussed the content of the pitches and why or why not they worked.
-Nathan Ginn
NGinn Productions It was the BEST. After years of overpriced, over booked and unorganized Pitch conferences, I was done with the whole experience. NATPE raised and bar and renewed my faith to pursue my producing goals.
The Pre-Pitch Critiques is a HIT....thank you
The advance pitch prep is a GAME CHANGER for this industry. You've raised the bar. I expect other companies will duplicate this element.
-Denise Pendleton
De Nice Productions, Inc. The experience was so valuable and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Although I have been passed on by all but one of five catchers I still feel the experience was very valuable to me. From seminars to Pitch Critique I was very pleased with the experience. I keep a positive attitude, you can be turned down 100 times but it just takes that one “yes” to change everything. Thanks again PITCHCON I have recommended you to all my aspiring comedians and writers.
-Michael “Miguel” Washington
Up Next Production Inc. Thanks for including me in Pitch Pit. I was very impressed with the general level of preparedness and professionalism of the Pitchers. Good job preparing them! Also, I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with some of my colleagues at other companies. Hope my participations was beneficial. Feel free to call me again for this event in the future.
- Endemol On behalf of WME, I wanted you to know that I thoroughly enjoyed the Pitch Pit experience and got a lot out of it. NATPE was a very gracious host and we were treated extremely well. Even though a few of the pitchers were on the novice side, I definitely found 2-3 ideas that I thought were fantastic that I am now representing. Many thanks!
- William Morris Endeavor (WME) FLM discovered Lori Harinfest and her series at NATPE's Pitch Pit. Through our distribution, she got a distribution deal with Babelgum, and became a regular correspondent for that network. Several other series we discovered have gone onto distribution through our various mobile outlets.
- Fun Little Movies
