SagePresence frequently enjoys the honor of participation in conferences and events oriented toward professional women, but a new twist occurred when a conference focused on professional women in film involved us in presenting and coaching.
Two weeks ago, Bill and I led a seminar for MNWIFT about developing the perfect pitch for film, television, media or business ideas. We focused as we usually do, combining what writers know about crafting story-structured messages with what actors employ when delivering powerfully under pressure.
Bill and I both recognized a "homecoming" feeling as we brought our SagePresence principles back to where they came from. I had the thrill of presenting to people I remembered from my production crew on Bill's Gun Shop and Bill described it as his first real bonding with the film community locally, since most of his film work has been in LA.
Two nights ago, Bill and I returned to MNWIFT, but this time with partner Pete Machalek, together sharing the goal of providing coaching and tips to MNWIFT patrons at a crucial time – because this second event included a panel of industry professionals who listen to pitches for a living. The panel would share knowledge initially, and then accept pitches from 40 some people who signed up to pitch.
Actual pitches to actual industry professionals – and our contribution to the event was to be a resource to pitching patrons, helping them with their story structure and coaching them on their delivery.
Among the judges was one of my producers from Bill's Gun Shop, Ann Luster, one of the most prolific local producers around.
Also amongst the judges was Cathy Ditoro of Campbell Mithun Advertising, the Advertising monolith who acquired my first company, the "little NewMedia train that could," Digital Cafe.
It was really nice to be in a position to help other people deal with their frazzled nerves and with organizing their "sea of information" into something you could pitch. I recognized myself in a lot of the people who came to our table for advice. "I have no idea how to do this," was a common statement, and it was very gratifying to work with them, and then have them return to the table a little while later and tell us that it went very well.
From the moment the panelists were done speaking, and the pitching process began, I was never able to leave my station at the booth. I remember helping a woman pitch a reality TV show idea to the television distributors in the judging panel, and I looked over to see Bill and Pete engaged with their own clientele.
It was cool to watch them work. I'm kind of the "extra" when it comes to pitching coaching, except where performance is concerned. But a lot of the real work here is story structuring, which I can do, but nothing like Bill and Pete can.
When I paused to listen in on Bill coaching someone, it was clearly the tier above, but when my clients returned feeling great about themselves and how they'd done, I knew that one way or another, we were all pulling our weight.
After hours of pitching and coaching, we enjoyed a red zin with the MNWIFT hosts, JoAnne (JoJo) Liebeler and Aleshia Mueller, along with David Garber, the President of Lantern Lane Entertainment, who promised to let Bill and I take him to lunch when we're in Los Angeles later in the fall.
Thanks, Amy Brewster, Meighan McGuire, Aleshia Mueller, JoAnne (JoJo) Liebeler, and Carly Zuckweiler, and all the fine patrons, members and volunteers of MNWIFT!
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