Comments on: To Pitch Or Not To Pitch?

By: Tyler James

Tyler James — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:30:44 +0000

Chris, we must be drinking the same Kool-Aid, because I agree 100% with your advice, and second all of your book recommendations.

Almost two years ago, I finished my first feature length screenplay, “OVER.” Rather than pitching, I translated the work into a graphic novel. For the past 15 months, it’s run as a webcomic, updating 3 times a week. (http://overcomic.com) In that time, it’s built a small, solid readership. As the book was winding down, I ran a successful pre-order campaign, and thanks to my readers, I’ve funded a good sized print run of the book from reader pre-orders.

This kind of model is very powerful. It’s one that leaves the creator in control, that gets the story out there, that increases the chance your work gets seen and sold, and doesn’t rely on hitting the pitching lottery.

By: ArtCast #49 :: Projects That Pitch & The Fine Art Of Finishing :: With Jerzy Drozd & Thomas James | ChrisOatley.com

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:04:08 +0000

[...] Drozd (creator of The Front) and Thomas James (creator of Escape From Illustration Island) about a recent discussion that has been taking place here on ChrisOatley.com regarding personal projects and how to actually [...]

By: Denver Wagner

Denver Wagner — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:02:18 +0000

Wait. We need to work hard and be patient? This whole “creative” thing is tough. Maybe I’ll just go watch some Jersey Shore.

Seriously, your advice and thoughts on creative success, and the available outlets to distribute our work, is a welcome and positive motivational message. You once said something on an Artcast about not knowing the exact circumstances of finding success, but “being there / standing close to it” when it happens. That idea has stuck with me (and kept me very busy!). Nobody “sees” our stories until we put them out there. You are doing positive and impactful work, Chris. Keep it up!

Also, I love your book recommendations. I haven’t been disappointed yet.

By: ChrisOatley

ChrisOatley — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:46:21 +0000

Zach, I’ve heard it said that studios are looking for “pre-sold properties.”

Meaning that they want something that has a built-in audience that will help them market it. This includes everything from super-obscure graphic novels to web cartoons and so on…

I suppose the thought is that as long as there is SOME kind of built-in audience, that “property” is more likely to “sell” or get optioned.

And yes, there are a lot of studios looking for content outside of the industry despite the gajillions of good spec scripts that are out there circulating. And though I’m sad that so many spec scripts are sold only to sit on a shelf forever, I don’t think we can fault anyone for being excited about something that is more crystallized like a GN or a web comic. …especially if that “property” already has fans.

It’s a nearly impossible task to make an independent film but it’s even more difficult task to build a fan base around a mere spec script.

By: Zach Bosteel

Zach Bosteel — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:19:15 +0000

This sounds exactly right to me. I think, these days, you have to demonstrate that you’re a good story teller before someone will want to pay you to tell a story. Though, I often wonder… this seems like such a great thing for independent creators who want to tell a story their way, but it also means that almost all innovation in movies story telling is coming from outside Hollywood. Do you think studios might be shooting themselves in the foot by only taking on properties that have already been evaluated by audiences?