3 Pitch Deck Mistakes To Avoid

I’ve had hundreds of conversations and consulting calls with filmmakers of all levels who want to pitch their film & TV project.

But pitch decks are the number one creative material that I've seen both emerging and experienced filmmakers miss the mark on completely.

A lot of filmmakers craft lengthy pitches without actually answering basic questions.

Never underestimate the power of simplicity.

With all of that in mind, here are the first three mistakes to avoid when creating a pitch deck for your film idea.

Mistake #1: Length

Some pitch decks are just really, really long.

Your pitch deck doesn't need to iron out every detail, it's just a hook to get a partner or buyer interested enough so they can move forward.

The person reading your pitch deck is most likely reviewing multiple pitch decks per day. Don't create more work for them or waste their time with a 20 page pitch deck.

When you overload someone with information, they will have a harder time taking action.

If you can't summarize your idea within a few paragraphs, it likely requires more refinement before being presented.

Mistake #2: Wordiness 

Trying to sound smart with complicated jargon and fancy words can backfire, because people get confused and feel lost when they don’t understand something.

Any pitch deck that makes it difficult to grasp quickly the idea and concept is putting itself at a major disadvantage to pitch decks that explain the idea succinctly.

Use simple words and sentences.

Say what you mean, not what you think they want you to say.

Be straightforward. 

Don’t ramble.

Make sure that when readers get to the end, they know exactly what they read. 

You can test this out with your non-industry network or family and friends. Do they understand what your film idea is about after reading through your creative materials?

Mistake #3: Formatting & Fluff 

I use the same template for all of my film & TV pitch decks.

Each idea is different, but templatizing my pitch decks keeps me on track with my proven format that sells shows.

It also helps me avoid unnecessary pages and fluff.

I use paragraph breaks and whitespace to make sure my pitch deck is easy to scan. And I use headers to break up paragraphs. 

Formatting is everything.

The last thing you want is a page with a mountain of words.

Action Steps & Summary

Here's my quick pitch deck checklist to review so you can avoid these common mistakes right away:

1. Length. My typical film & TV pitch decks are 8-12 pages in length. Give or take. Your page count should be the minimum amount of pages necessary to explain your idea.

2. Simplicity. Use simple words and sentences that are clear and concise. Don't overcomplicate or overexplain.

3. Formatting and Skimmability. Is it easy to scan through your pitch deck and walk away with the general idea? If not, go back to the drawing board and make it easier to skim. 

In my experience, this proven approach will help you make a bigger impact with your pitch decks.