Hi. I thought I'd explained the ScreenplayLab Pitch Contest
enough already, but an email I got back from a skeptic makes
it obvious that at least some people don't get why Sunday is
something special. At the risk of annoying everyone who
already gets it, please read on for important information.

> Not to put a damper on your moneymaking opportunity ($20 x
> 160 = $3200), but from my personal experience pitchfests
> rarely garner an agent for participants and once in a blue
> moon yield an actual meeting if a screenplay is requested.

I agree with you that pitchfests are generally ineffective.
That's why it's important that this event is a pitch contest,
not a pitchfest.

Regarding the $20, we've been hosting ScreenplayLab live
events weekly for free for over a year. All of our past
events have been free. With free events people have invested
nothing and may feel no commitment to show up. Half of the
audience who took the time to RSVP is no-show at our free
events. That's simply not acceptable with this event. We
need participants who are certain they want to be there and
ready to succeed.

> Why are pitchfest stats not publicized when pitching
> participants? Check with the organizers of The Great
> American PitchFest or Screenwriters Expo for the real
> scoop on the odds of breaking into the business by
> pitching in a room full of other pitchers.

You bring up a good point about transparency and publishing
results. The only prize we offered our first year of the
pitch contest was a copy of Final Draft. Even so, our
winner last year also got a ScreenplayLab referral and did
meet with a manager.

I will publish what happens with the winners and agents
this year if they allow me.

> Did you meet your agent though a pitchfest?

I was referred to my agent through ScreenplayLab. My writing
partner was referred to her agent through ScreenplayLab.
More than two dozen actors and screenwriters have signed
agent representation based on ScreenplayLab referrals since
we launched in June of 2005.

It's worth noting that ScreenplayLab is fundamentally
different from groups that have "Independent" or "Alliance"
in the name of the organization. We're not trying to beat
the Hollywood system or go it alone. We love agents and
studios and Hollywood. With that sort of attitude it's no
surprise they're loving us back and being tremendously
helpful.

Agents from multiple agencies have agreed to meet our 2006
pitch contest winners sight unseen. These agents are
trusting ScreenplayLab that we'll bring them people worth
seeing, that these meetings are serious.

See you Sunday!

Robin