How to Build a Film or Television Pitch Deck Using the Free Tool Canva (Little Design Skills Necessary!)
Summary
Learn how to design a pitch deck that actually gets attention in this exclusive Stage 32 webinar! Led by a former Google, Uber, and Verizon designer turned filmmaker and pitch deck expert!
You’ll also receive a Pitch Deck Font Guide and join a live Q&A with Bri to help you build a deck that feels polished, cohesive, and truly industry-ready.
Your pitch deck is often your first impression—and sometimes your only shot. In a fast-moving industry, producers, buyers, and collaborators are scanning quickly, and strong visuals can be the difference between getting read or getting passed over. A clean, professional deck instantly signals clarity, confidence, and that your project is ready for the next step.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in Canva unsure how to make everything look “right,” you’re not alone. Most filmmakers don’t struggle with ideas—they struggle with presentation. Fonts, layout, spacing, and imagery can feel overwhelming without a clear framework. The good news is you don’t need a design background to fix it—just simple, practical principles that actually work.
You’ll learn directly from Bri Kaisen, Associate Creative Producer at Life Out Loud Films, where she builds pitch decks alongside producer Sara Elizabeth Timmins to help indie projects get packaged and sold. With a background designing for Google, Uber, and Verizon, Bri understands how thoughtful design builds trust and captures attention. She also holds an MFA in Screenwriting, blending story and design into a powerful creative approach.
In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll break down the core design fundamentals behind professional pitch decks—contrast, layout, white space, and visual hierarchy—plus how to choose imagery and create a cohesive visual tone for your story. You’ll also get practical Canva techniques for fonts, color, and formatting, along with export and presentation tips to make your deck investor-ready.
By the end, you’ll leave with a clear, repeatable process to build a pitch deck that looks studio-level—and the confidence to present it with pride.
Plus, you’ll receive a Pitch Deck Font Guide to support your work long after the session!
What You'll Learn
Design Fundamentals That Elevate Every Pitch Deck
- Using contrast to emphasize
- Creating balanced layouts that feel polished and intentional
- Making white space work for you
- Understanding visual hierarchy and guiding the viewer's eye
- Building consistency throughout your deck for a professional finish
Selecting Images That Tell Your Story
- Choosing visuals that capture the tone and world of your film
- Applying the Rule of Thirds to create stronger compositions
- Cropping, positioning, and sizing images for maximum impact
- Avoiding visuals that make a deck feel generic or amateur
- Simple techniques for integrating images seamlessly into your layouts
Building a Visual Brand for Your Film
- Defining your project's overall mood, style, and visual identity
- Selecting a color palette that reinforces your story
- Choosing fonts that complement your genre and tone
- Maintaining a consistent visual language from beginning to end
- Creating a cohesive presentation that feels industry-ready
Mastering Fonts, Color, and Layout
- Finding inspiration for font pairings and color palettes
- Pairing fonts with confidence without overcomplicating your design
- Using color strategically to enhance readability and emotion
- Designing clean, effective title, section, and information slides
- Avoiding the most common layout mistakes that clutter a presentation
Making Canva Work Like a Professional Design Tool
- Starting with templates while making them your own
- Customizing layouts to fit your unique project
- Time-saving Canva tips and shortcuts
- Refining images, backgrounds, typography, and spacing
Preparing Your Deck for Presentation
- Reviewing your deck for consistency and flow
- Exporting professional PDF presentations
- Managing large file sizes for easy sharing
- Presenting your deck professionally to producers, investors, and collaborators
- Final polish before sending your deck into the world
Q&A with Bri
Who Should Attend
- Filmmakers of all levels who need a professional-looking pitch deck to present their project to buyers, producers, and investors.
- Screenwriters of all levels who want to package their script with visuals that capture its tone and make it stand out.
- Producers of all levels who are preparing to pitch or package a project and want their materials to feel industry-ready.
- Directors of all levels who want their pitch deck to visually reflect their creative vision before stepping into the room.
- Creatives of all levels who use Canva (or want to start) and are looking to design with more confidence and less guesswork.
Executive
Bri Kaisen is a filmmaker, award-winning screenwriter, designer, and Associate Creative Producer at Life Out Loud Films, where she works alongside producer Sara Elizabeth Timmins to support filmmakers in developing, packaging, and moving their projects forward which includes designing filmmaker pitch decks.. She also leads the company’s writing education, helping screenwriters strengthen their stories, structure, and creative voice.
Before moving deeper into the film industry, Bri built a career as a web designer, developer, and visual storyteller with a focus on branding, user experience, and strategic design. She has designed and developed large-scale e-commerce websites for major brands including Google, Uber, Cisco, PwC, and Verizon, bringing a strong understanding of how design can communicate a story, build trust, and guide an audience. She has transferred that design expertise to help indie filmmakers.
Bri holds an MFA in Screenwriting from Hollins University and a BS in Digital Media and Cinema from James Madison University. Her work sits at the intersection of story, design, and strategy, helping filmmakers present their projects in a way that feels clear, professional, and compelling.