You can have the greatest story idea in the world, but at some point you’re going to have to communicate that idea with someone. In last week’s post I talked about what Aeaea is looking for in new content, but this week I want to write about how to present that idea. I’m going to take you through what I look for in pitch, and why each element is so important.
Synopsis
Just as important as knowing what your story is about, it’s important to think about how you’re presenting your story. What is your story about, and why is it interesting? Use clear and concise language. Who is your protagonist? What do they want? What’s standing in their way? You won’t capture all the beauty and nuance that exists in your script, but you don’t have to do that here. The synopsis just has to get your reader interested enough to keep going, and give you shot.
Team
Who are you, and who is making this show. Understanding where you and any team you may have come from gives your reader a better sense of where this show this show may go. Write short bios that give any experience which demonstrates your capability of undertaking this project.
Audience
Who is this podcast for? Your first instinct may be to say, “everyone,” which is understandable, but not helpful. You want everyone to listen to your show, but this section exists to talk about your core audience. Is this a show for kids? Teens? 20-somethings? Is this a show for parents living in the Midwest? Is this a show that is going to appeal to curling enthusiasts who live with three dogs in a cabin in the woods? Understanding who you’re making this show for helps us to understand the show, and helps get your content to the people who want to listen to it.
Production
We have the the what, and we know who you are and who your audience is, but now talk about how to make this show. Do you need a cast, or a single actor? How does it need to be recorded? Do you need to compose any music for this? Are there any technological elements to this show (like we have with One More Story)? Talk about the format, the length of an episode, what’s the structure of a season (if it has seasons). Walk us through how this show will get made, and then talk about how that gets done.
Risks
If you’re asking someone to give you their time and effort, this is your chance to assuage any last fears they may have. Show that you understand what the risks are, and what your plan is to overcome them. If you want to record your show outdoors, what problems could that lead to, and how do you see solving them. If you are making a podcast about your tabletop roleplaying game sessions, talk about what makes yours stand out. A good Risks section shows that you’ve given critical thought to your idea, and can problem solve.
What Else, What Next?
Adding supplementary material can be appropriate depending on what it is, and how much there is. If you have any audio samples, writing samples, a CV, by all means, include them. The trick is to make sure they’re relevant and you don’t overwhelm. Even the kindest hearted person may not read your 300 page epic script, people have limited time, and sending a short snippet of your work shows them you respect that. The truth is though that you have to tailor each pitch to the person you want to read it. Think about who they are, what they’ve done, and what they are looking for. Spending the time to craft your pitch around where you’re pitching to, will pay off. It can be annoying, but is always worth it.
This probably isn’t going to be your favorite part of the creative process, but being able to communicate your ideas well, is an invaluable skill. More than anything though, you’ve got to practice it. If your first pitch doesn’t work, keep trying and keep refining your work. And if you have any other questions about submitting to Aeaea send an email to submissions@aeaea.co .
Until to next time,
Zev Hurwich