Exclusive to Stage 32, Chris Lockhart, one of the most legendary and revered literary agency story editors in the business!

Chris has read over 60,000 scripts in his career for WME and has the database to prove it!

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

Your script has the potential to be the next big hit—all you need is the right pitch to open doors. Pitching is an opportunity to excite decision-makers, spark interest, and get your story into the right hands. Whether you're pitching on the fly in a casual conversation or delivering a full presentation to executives, knowing how to adapt your pitch for any situation is the key to success. This exclusive Stage 32 4-part class will ensure you’re prepared to make every opportunity count!

Many writers struggle to craft a pitch that is clear, engaging, and leaves the right impression. Some over-explain and lose their audience, while others don’t include the most compelling elements. It’s also easy to overlook the importance of tailoring your pitch for different lengths and scenarios. Without proper preparation, even the best scripts can fail to get attention. This class will give you the tools and strategies to avoid these pitfalls and deliver a pitch that lands.

Your educator Chris Lockhart is one of the most legendary and revered literary agency story editors in the business. As Story Editor for WME, he has read over 60,000 scripts and worked closely with A-list talent such as Denzel Washington, Michelle Williams, Richard Gere, and more. Chris began his career as a script consultant at International Creative Management (ICM), working with the iconic talent agent Ed Limato, who represented Hollywood giants like Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Robert Downey Jr. Now, he brings his decades of expertise to help you develop a world-class pitch.

This exclusive Stage 32 class will break down the key elements of a successful pitch for every scenario, from a quick elevator pitch to a formal 10+ minute meeting. Through real-world examples, structured frameworks, and interactive assignments, you’ll walk away with the confidence and skills to pitch your story effectively—no matter the situation!

PLUS! You Will Receive the Following Handouts:

• Scripts from referenced movies
• 2-3 minute pitch structure map
• 5-minute pitch structure map

Praise for Christopher's previous Stage 32 Teaching:

"Amazing webinar, loved it. It was the best I have ever watched!"  -- Robert M.

"Chris was clear, concise, helpful, and focused. Loved his enthusiasm and humor."  -- Lori H.

"Oh my god, I was laughing all the way through. In between writing about 10 pages of notes. SO much fun and a wealth of knowledge." -- Denise G.

"Very informative. Clarified a lot of questions I've always had regarding loglines. Well worth the money." -- Emmit R.

"It was very informative and insightful." -- Mays S.

Session 1: The 60 Second Elevator Pitch - "Tell me" 

You never know when someone will say "Tell me..." and want to learn about you as a writer, your script or your ideas. You need to be prepared with an instant answer and not get stuck in minutiae. If they're interested, they will want to learn more. 

• What should be accomplished in your pitch?

• What should be included

• What you should leave out

• Reading the room

• Pitching you as a writer

• Pitching your script

• Pitching what you are working on

• Examples as a case study 

Assignment: Practice your 60 second pitch 

Handouts: Scripts from referenced movies 

Session 2: The 2-3 minute Pitch "Tell Me More" 

So, you've gotten the attention of your audience with your elevator pitch, now they are going to ask some questions to have you elaborate. You don't want to drone on aimlessly, and instead keep them engaged wanting to learn more. 

• What should be accomplished in your 2-3 minute pitch?

• What should be included

• What you should leave out

• The structure of the 2-3 minute pitch about your script

• Reading the room

• Examples as a case study 

Assignment: Practice your 2-3 minute pitch

Handouts: 2-3 minute pitch structure map

Session 3: The 5 Minute Pitch "I'm Hooked" 

Your audience is ready to have you storytell your script. You have a captive audience and it's important that you help them visualize your story in their mind. If someone is going to commit to spending 2 hours of their time reading your script, your 5 minute pitch better be compelling. Now the person across from you will be thinking "can I make this a movie?" or "can I see talent in some of these roles?" - your stakes are higher

• What should be accomplished in your 5 minute pitch?

• What should be included

• What you should leave out

• The structure of the 5 minute pitch about your script

• Reading the room

• Examples as a case study 

Assignment: Practice your 5 minute pitch

Handouts: 5 minute pitch structure map 

Session 4: The 10+ Minute Pitch "Let's Sell This!" 

Assuming your script has been read and picked up by a producer or development executive, now it's the time to pitch it to buyers. These pitches can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes.  Now the person across from you needs a reason to invest millions of dollars into making your film- your stakes are the highest

• What should be accomplished in your 10 minute pitch?

• What should be included

• What you should leave out

• The structure of the 5 minute pitch about your script

• Reading the room

Assignment: Map out your 10+ minute pitch

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

• Writers, directors, and producers looking to refine their pitching skills
• Filmmakers preparing to pitch to executives, agents, managers, or investors

Praise for Christopher's previous Stage 32 Teaching:

"Amazing webinar, loved it. It was the best I have ever watched!"  -- Robert M.

"Chris was clear, concise, helpful, and focused. Loved his enthusiasm and humor."  -- Lori H.

"Oh my god, I was laughing all the way through. In between writing about 10 pages of notes. SO much fun and a wealth of knowledge." -- Denise G.

"Very informative. Clarified a lot of questions I've always had regarding loglines. Well worth the money." -- Emmit R.

"It was very informative and insightful." -- Mays S.