Customer Reviews

The Perfect Pitch: How to Sell Yourself and Your Movie Idea to Hollywood

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book doesn't deliver what you're looking for. First of all, Mr. Rotcop says he was head of four studios. When I hear "studio" I'm thinking UNIVERSAL, PARAMOUNT, MGM...not small production companies that own studio eqpt and lot space...that turn out B pictures straight to video or third rate cable TV.
Secondly, the book doesn't seem to be much more than an advertisement for his workshop. I hope that his workshop is good--however, the book leaves quite a bit to be desired. It is odd to me that he has trouble giving "evidence" of success stories based on his own Pitchmart other than a few stories of B/straight to video pieces. In a word I was UNDERWHELMED.

I'm not particularly religious. But this book inspired me to research all Gods, long buried or still alive, so I might beseech them to give me the two hours back that I decimated reading this book.

It might give you the inkling of the environment of the pitch, but otherwise the book doesn't help you develop, write, work on a physical or verbal pitch on any level worth taking to a meeting. I've seen professional writers (eg. working writers) talk about pitching, and what's offered here is, at best, passing opinions. That, linked with the constant dropping of the Rotcop?s accomplishments like ?pitchmart?, buries this book?s credibility, and seals it with an iron lid.

Spend your money on one of the other books on pitching. Though I haven't read them, they have to be better. Or buy a book about storytelling. Or spend the money buying your friends coffee and pitch them to get practice. Or dig a hole and throw your money in that.

I only managed to finish this book by convincing myself that it must have at least one nugget of wisdom to impart. One technique that is actually practical. One tip that is not flat out ridiculous.

Unfortunately I was wrong. What Mr. Rotcop offers up here is a blend of the absurdly obvious ("Don't bring a 96-ounced drink to the executive's desk. It will leave a wet ring." Page 44. & "Never be late for an appointment" Page 45.) with the just plain absurd (Use action figures to act out your pitch. Or dress up as a superhero to give your pitch. Page 27.)

This book is absolutely useless.

This book was one large waste of time. I needed a book that was informative and full of examples, without personal promotion. I felt the only thing this book did was drop names and promote the writer. He told a bunch of stories about how good pitches can work and his success stories, but did not go into, in any length, how to write a really good pitch. I felt this book was a mere tool to help promote his writer's workshop. I do not recommend this book to anyone. If you are looking for an actually helpful book, check out "The Savvy Screenwriter".

THE PERFECT PITCH by Ken Rotcop is an excellent resource of information for new and seasoned writers. Pitching is EVERYTHING. Ken has the experience and the expertise to help get you where you need to be. He not only guides you through what he's learned, he gets advice from other top players in the business and tells revealing personal stories regarding pitching from other writers. Information is key in this town. This book has it. If you want to know how to give the perfect pitch, your answer is here.

The Perfect Pitch: How To Sell Yourself And Your Movie Idea To Hollywood by Ken Rotcop (written with the assistance of James K. Shea) is a solid and practical guide to being the best possible agent for your own idea, story, or screenplay. From learning how to best pitch your story in two minutes or less, to reacting quickly and on the spot, improving communication, and getting to see Hollywood's big-time movers in the first place, The Perfect Pitch is a rock-solid foundation and a very highly recommended "how to" reference for any aspiring writers seeking to turn their film script ideas into box office movies.

This is a helpful book; states its point then elaborates for longer than needed, but, as I said, true and useful.

I read The Perfect Pitch and wish I had done so earlier in my career. Having attended just about every cattle call in Los Angeles competing with hundreds in lines, moving from intern to intern at the ring of a bell, and not knowing what to say in 30 seconds, I decided it was time to learn from someone who knows the inside to the Hollywood film industry. The Perfect Pitch is not just entertaining and fun to read but gives you all the information you need to pitch your script that you just can't get anywhere else in Hollywood. Since reading The Perfect Pitch, I have joined Ken's workshop and come to know Ken not just as a professional and professor in the art of pitching scripts but as a mentor personally involved with the success of his students and get their scripts polished and in the hands of producers. And Yes! My scripts have gone in the hands of producers because of Ken and his Perfect Pitch. I highly recommend reading The Perfect Pitch and join his workshop if you want to take your screenwriting career in the right direction.

Even with an MFA in screenwriting from NYU and two quarters spent in UCLA's masters program, there is still plenty I don't know about the business side of this game. And most screenwriters who are honest with themselves would probably say the same thing. That's why this book is so valuable to writers of all levels and backgrounds. It helps you learn what you need to know to get your work read by the people who can buy it or help you get it sold. Buy this book and read it now!

This book is very informative, I recommend it to new and seasoned writers! If you want to learn the key to pitching, you'll find it in this book.