97. Everything
How we put together a film pitch in seven days. Key takeaways, an excerpt, the state of the film, bloopers š. Reflections on community, and phonelessness.
It feels like a lifetime happened in the past few weeks.
I spent the first in Marthaās Vineyard with a cohort of writers, coming away with what feels like surprisingly solid relationships for such a short (intense) period of shared time. I spent the following, unexpectedly, in a mad dash to deliver a pitch for my animated film. I also: voted early; attended three shows (long story), and regretfully missed a creative writing MFA residency to which I was an invited auditor. The world is on fire in all the ways that it can be. Weāve had 100Āŗ F days in New York City; moving through its streets has felt like swimming in a fever dream at the end of the world.
Iām on a flight to California as I write this, finally able to sit down, and tell you everything.
In the studio
Filming a pitch can be gruelingāeven with professional help. Iād never done it before, and calling 1.5 days to do post-production āchallenging,ā would be an understatement.
Most of this issue is about how I pushed through it. I canāt share who I was pitching to, but hope the behind-the-scenes is interesting, and that the takeaways are helpful to those pitching their own projects for grants and fellowships.
Speaking of grants, thanks to the Jerome Hill Artist Foundation for funding this shoot.
Members: find below the story behind everything, what the process of prepping + shooting a film pitch looks like, and a spotlight on the folks who went above and beyond to support me during this period.
I include a one-minute excerpt of my three-minute pitch, a look at the primer (microshort-as-style-guide) so far, and a one-minute blooper reel š
Plus, Provisions (inspo), and an update on my essay collection.