In today’s marketplace, you need a strong package to get people interested (studios or investors). By package, I mean a script+director+producer(s)+key cast. Get those people involved in the project and then sell the whole unit. It is EXTREMELY difficult to sell a project with just a script these days, since the heavy hitters learned a long time ago that in order to outpace the competition, they need to show up at the buyer’s door with more than just a good idea. They need the people who are going to execute, their deals already locked up, standing with them ready to play ball.
By package, I DO NOT mean your crew. I see a lot of pitch decks trying to sell the idea that they have some brilliant Cinematographer on board or some great Production Designer. Much love to below-the-line crew, but pitching your crew as a package makes you look like an amateur. The harsh reality is that audiences care about a select few things, namely actors and directors… other elements don’t translate to potential ticket sales. Celebrate your crew between you and your industry peers, support them, showcase their work to people who care, but don’t make your crew a bullet point in your pitch. It is not a package. It does not enhance your odds of a sale. Studios don’t care. Equity investors don’t know what these people do.
So, how do you build a package? See number 4, “Use Your Relationships”. It’s the same logic. Make friends, talk to them about your project, get them involved.
In a more formal procedure, you can build a package by targeting a major agency (CAA, UTA, Gersh, Paradigm, WME, ICM, etc). If you can get an agent on board, there’s a chance they can get their clients on board. (UPDATE: This is changing! The WGA is currently fighting to stop packaging at the agencies. Like I said, the industry is a living organism). You can also risk a loss by backing a pay-or-play Schedule F cast offer to attach someone of note. This is risky, since it means you need to pay up whether or not you ever make the movie, but I’ve seen it work before. Not for the faint of heart. This is typically a better method for people with money to burn if things don’t pan out.