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Harvard Biz Review – article by Kimberly D.Elsbach
From observing Hollywood script pitches the author discusses how the person you’re pitching too often has placed you into a specific category very quickly – so it’s important to understand what stereotype you fall in to if you’re to be successful. Author talks about 3 core types, and suggest that often the ‘catcher’ will buy the individual instead of the best work…which is why there is so much poor TV made!

• The Showrunner: those that combine creative thinking with passion and enthusiasm
• The Artist : like the Showrunner but less slick and conformist in their dress and mannerism. In Hollywood script pitching, the arist tends to be the writer – and the more shy a writer comes across the better you think the writing is.
• The Neophyte: opp of Showunners, instead of displaying their expertise they plead ignorance

How to kill your own pitch

• Pushover – if you are probed on an integral aspect of your proposition you must be able to defend any criticism, and stand your ground, never discount a core strategy in th ehope this will win favour.
• Robot – formulaic pitches presented by a cybeborg rarely win
• Used Car Salesman – VCs are professional, silky slippery salesmanship is unlikely to win
• Charity Cases – never cme across as desperate, VCs want see confidence