From the participants

Michael Hauge's session helped me to get two option offers and five script requests.

~ Mike Gosselin, Vancouver

10 out of 10!!!

The PitchFest was well organized, high energy, and very exciting. I can't wait for the next one!

~ Gary Yuill, Vancouver

On my very first pitch, they asked me to meet at their studio offices the next day. I had that meeting, and while we are not working with the original idea, it is leading to other projects!

~ Tod McCoy, Vancouver

The only way your PitchFest could possibly be better is if Angelina Jolie were there.

~ James Dickson

Well organized. Thanks for designing a warm, professional PitchFest. It was great to meet relaxed, taken care of people across the table.

~ Arlen Rundvall, Nanaimo

I loved it! I'dd gone to another one in LA last year, and this one was so much less chaotic. There was a nice tone, too, of being welcomed and supported. Also, I had several requests for my script(s), so that was pretty great. Definitely worth attending.

~ Bliss Goldstein, Seattle

I pitched to 19 companies and got 11 requests. I met a TV producer who is going to meet with me. It was very worthwhile to me, and I made a lot of contacts. It was very worthwhile to me.

~ Rita Cooper, Vancouver

I made a contact with someone at the luncheon, which led to a request to see one of my screenplays.

If it wasn't for the freely given advice from a newly acquired friend from the PitchFest, I would have missed an opportunity to pitch to a major studio specializing in terrorist/action screenplays (they asked to see two of my screenplays!).

~ Ralph Shorter

It was well organized, and you had a wide array of real power companies.

~ Sean Kilgallin

I felt the Great American PitchFest was the most productive one that I have ever attended. I pitched to 15 companies and received a lot of interest and support. And the free seminars were excellent.

~ Jacob Kamhis

Signe, I hope the producers you help, realize what a tremendous service you are providing for them. We writers sure do. I wish that this great endeavor, brings you three fold in success and happiness of what you put in.

~ George Constantine

After taking Pilar's class, I was able to really hone my pitch and feel totally prepared for the PitchFest.

~ David Goldberg

I've been working with a wonderful producer who I met at your PitchFest. I will definitely sign up for the next one.

~ Allison Dillard

Pilar Alessandra is a firecracker! I would go to hear her any time, anywhere. Brilliant!

~ Jim Curtis

I went to the 2007 PitchFest. I have since signed a contract with a PitchFest interviewer/producer. My book has been turned into a screenplay and will hopefully become a movie. I worked with the screenwriter to develop scenes and dialog that we mutually discussed.

This NEVER would have happened if I had not attended your Pitch Fest. I have nothing but encouraging words for the writers "out there" thinking about attending this year. They not only meet other authors from around the country, they have this chance to sell their material to someone who will change their life. It happened to me - it could happen to them.

If not for you, none of this would have happened.

~ Frank Trombetta

And thanks again for another fantastic PitchFest experience. Your organization is astounding, the results far surpassing all the others I've attended. Keep in touch.

~ Mary Dunkerly

Thanks for a great PitchFest. Signe, you and your dedicated staff are a marvel!!

~ Anthea T. Sibert

Thank you for creating the Great American PitchFest. It was a wonderful experience for me.

~ Sincerely, Anna Kutlich

Just wanted to thank you and everyone at PitchFest! Our experience far exceeded our expectations.

We truly can't say enough about how successful our pitching day was! We pitched 16 pitches, were asked for 5 one sheets, and had 9 requests for the script! We actually handed out 5 scripts on the spot! Only 2 producers said "no" and even then, they only did because they weren't looking for our genre but still loved the script idea. All of the Decision Makers were generous, respectful and very helpful. We were totally blown away. Plus agents who were attending the fest on the participant side were approaching us in line, handing us their cards, offering to help by either representing us or helping us find another agent who fits our style.

We actually were able to work both sides of the experience because some producers who hadn't met the deadline to get a table to meet writers were in the lines scoping all of us out! We had more than one approach us, and at the end, one said he overheard the buzz and asked for the script. He read the first 10 pages that night, emailed us Monday and said it was even better than he thought it would be and would contact us again when he finished it!

Another incredible bonus was our private consultation with Michael Hauge - what a Master! We will be eternally grateful to him for all of his help and plan to send him daily emails of gratitude (hoping he doesn't think we're stalkers) as well as scream his name from the rooftops until he becomes the richest and most successful pitch consultant of all time! He transformed our pitch into a tight, accurate, intriging pitch that would make anyone curious to read the final result! (I realize I'm using a lot of exclamation points here, but I am jumping out of my seat with enthusiasm... and yes, falling out of it too from sheer exhaustion after this weekend.) Michael was worth more than we paid you... but don't increase the cost until we hit pay dirt, OK? :)

Another beautiful bonus was the connection we made with other writers. That feeling we all had of validation of our craft, our time, our talent, and our engery was indescribable. Yes, the lines were stressful, but we were all there on the journey together. It wasn't a contest, it was a festival of talent waiting to be discovered. We were all cheering each other on and hoping every one of us achieved our dream.

Who knows where this will all lead, but you can be rest assured we will not only keep you posted of our success, but also attend every Great American PitchFest that we have material polished and ready for!

To say "thank you" simply is not enough. The gift you have given all writers who dream the dream by opening a door wide enough for all of us to "cattle call" into is a true blessing. We will never hear a cow bell again without smiling!

You rock!

~ Jeanne and Dawn

I had three completed feature scripts that I wanted to get into the hands of agents and producers. Several of the production companies took all three and others took one or two depending upon their needs. Sixteen scripts, in all were taken that day. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the great opportunity you provide for new writers.

~ Anne Harman

GAPF was an unbelievable event. Had a fantastic experience. As an organizer of public events in the past, I know how much energy and effort was expended to pull this thing off. You did a fantastic job and I will certainly attend next year. I also greatly appreciate your desire to give back to the community...I hope other writers understand how much the GAPF staff is sacrificing to benefit the rest of us. Had 14 great pitches and 14 requests for one sheets or scripts-but also had a lot of fun! Thanks again for all you do and wishing the best for each of you on your own filmic journeys.

~ Mike Maden

I have never seen a PitchFest with fewer problems, and I did not hear of one complaint. This was a well organized and well run operation.

~ William Milano, Writer

No comparison, yours is the best.

~ Anthony Cuda, Writer

The lady from National Lampoon actually took my script on the spot.

~ Frank from Kentucky

Excellent organization, and I had some fantastic meetings. Saw my entire A-list by early afternoon and actually took a 1/2 hr. coffee break with someone I had just met there. The companies were more approachable than I ever would have dreamed. I will only attend your PitchFest’s from now on. You have perfected the process!

~ Meghan Bishop Scott, Writer

My friend and I pitched a reality show at your PitchFest and Foglight Entertainment have just optioned it! I think it’s pretty amazing to have gotten this far in such a short period of time, especially since it’s the first time I ever wrote a treatment and it was our first time to PitchFest. Just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work in making the PitchFest happen.

~ Bill McIntosh, Vancouver, BC

We didn’t expect to have as much success with our project as we did. We’ve been signed with a production company and they have already brought on board a distributor for the project. Both of those contacts were made at the gala so you were right about how important that kind of function can be. Also, Tim from FOX called me back yesterday about our demo and proposal that we pitched at your PitchFest. It was really cool to get a call from the Vice President of FOX International!

~ Josh & Andy Rimer, Writers & Hosts of Brothers TV

It was in a nutshell, an invaluable experience - beyond compare. The workshops were incredible. The knowledge and insight I was privy to over the three day event has convinced me that even if nothing comes from my pitching to the companies, I have come out a winner. Thanks so much! The members of the PitchFest team are so supportive and encouraging - where else in this industry do you find that?

~ Teresa Saari

It was the best one I've ever attended. The lines were short, and there were more people to pitch to than I had time for.

~ Jim

I now have an LA agent that I met as a result of the PitchFest, and industry executives regularly requesting my material.

~ Lorene Lacey

The organization of the lines, and getting in and out of the pitch area was exceptional! I couldn't believe how smoothly it all ran.

~ Martha

Thanks to contacts I made at the last Great American PitchFest, I am currently working in the industry, developing scripts that are turning into fully-financed productions. I also landed my first paid writing gig. I have the PitchFest to thank for all of my success.

~ Bob Schultz, Writer

Until I attended the LA PitchFest, I had not felt validated as a writer, but afterward, I believed that success was completely possible. Signe is unique because she genuinely cares for writers and encourages them to at least give it a try. She has truly made a difference in my life!!! For that I am grateful...

~ Rhonda Lombardo

I found the Great Canadian PitchFest to be one of the most rewarding opportunities. It provided me with tremendous access to key network companies and allowed me to receive helpful feedback in a very encouraging environment. As a rookie to the industry, it also allowed me to hone my pitch. Kudos to the team that initiated and organized this outstanding event!

~ Andrea

Thank you so much for this opportunity...I can't tell you how much I learned. It was the perfect way to kick off my week in Banff!

~ Andrea Lekushoff

Because of the PitchFest, I now have two strong production companies that are reading my script. Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that you once again went out of your way to personally help me.

~ Ken

If there is anyone out there who feels that they are not ready to attend the Great Canadian PitchFest, read on. As an emerging filmmaker, I felt too shy and unprepared to approach Broadcasters about an idea that wasn’t fleshed out except for one sheet. Upon signing up, I received valuable information in the booklet and was able to find out ahead of time what they were looking for and who to pitch to. By the end of the day, I had a greenlight for my project. I have successfully completed my documentary which has subsequently been nominated for an Ampia Award. I can say without reservation that this would not have been possible without the Great Canadian PitchFest. I will be attending again this year.

~ Smita Acharyya

Signe, you have to keep doing your thing. Yours was head and shoulders about the cattle call and herding that took place at other PitchFests. We all agreed that there was no comparison, especially in the area of customer relations and the skills and smiles that your staff brought to this event. Please don’t quit.

~ Fred Keating

Coming to the PitchFest is a no-brainer! It is the best way to cultivate relationships with others in the industry who can help careers and projects along; it was so well-organized. It was a stroke of inspiration!

~ Simone Keiran

Just wanted to say thank you for your tremendous job of organizing the PitchFest. We all agreed that it ran like a Swiss watch. I actually got complimented on by three producers and got three companies that want to read my script. Needless to say I will be back and also am recommending the PitchFest to everyone I know.

~ Susan Raby-Dunne

I had to write and tell you what a great job you did organizing the PitchFest. I got an excellent response for several projects. It is certainly a huge and significant contribution to the industry and people in general.

~ Paula

I had a great time at the PitchFest. I had 13 sits and got some good responses. One company actually took my script on the spot! Thanks for a very well-run program.

~ Frank

I just wanted to thank you for your work and effort in putting out the Great American PitchFest. I am glad that I came. I was able to pitch to 11 different companies and got requests from 5 to see my script. I will attend if you do it again. It was a really professional and relaxed atmosphere.

~ Mark Lunsford

I know you’re sick of hearing this but you did a terrific job and a lot of people owe you a debt of gratitude for this networking experience. It was the perfect time to hold it with so many companies saying there were interested in getting productions going in the spring. Pat yourself on the back, you done real good!

~ Mike

If you're a beginner writer, especially if you just moved to LA recently, the PitchFest is an excellent way to not only learn how to pitch but get the opportunity to do it in front of people who are working with the big dogs.

~ Steve

I got a call just yesterday to send in a script from PitchFest. Also the afterparty was great! The post mortem with other writers is always fun and a lot of the companies were there also which process worked, schmooze etc.

~ Maria

This was my first PitchFest. I learned alot of valuable information that I had not even considered before being a neophyte in the business.

~ Diana

My friend, Don, likened the pitching event to sledding. "You run up hill, jump on the sled and get a huge adrenaline rush as you recklessly careen down hill. Get to the bottom of the hill (get back in line) and do it all over again." YEAH! The post party was fun too. Made a few more connections there too!

~ Rebecca Smith

The organization of the event was incredible. Your staff was very friendly and helpful. The information book you provided made it possible for me to get the most out of every minute I was there. The book made it easy for me to easily determine who I wanted to pitch, thus saving me the embarrassment of sitting down with a producer who would have no interest in what I was trying to sell. I really found it useful when members of your staff came out to announce that certain producers were looking for specific types of projects. For example, it was announced that one of the producers was looking for scripts with a "coming of age" theme. This was a producer that wasn't even on my list of who I was planning to pitch. Without that announcement, I wouldn't have approached this producer and I would have missed out on my most successful pitch of the day. I have been to countless similar pitch sessions and none of them come close to comparing to the overall quality and efficiency of your event. I found this to be the feeling of every single person I spoke to while I was in line waiting for my next chance to pitch. I felt like you were there for the writer. I cannot wait for the next PitchFest you will be hosting. Your PitchFest will always be on the top of my list "must be there" events.

~ Neo Edmund

My first PitchFest. I had a great time. Everyone was so nice and it was done in a very organized way. It was a long trip for me, but I felt the location was great. I was excited to get 6 requests for my script. I was well pleased. I am so glad I came. I learned a lot.

~ Mark Lunsford

I had never pitched before and was good at it. 5 out of 7 companies I pitched wanted to see a script. Besides, it was so fast and fun and friendly. I had a blast!

~ Nancy Linehan

I had 11 meetings in four hours, twice what I've experienced at any other PitchFest I've attended.

~ Fred

I have been to three pitch fests including yours and yours rates far above in terms of organization, preparation and being relaxed and hassle free. Bottom line, I liked yours best!

~ Paul Martin, Vineyard Productions

It was fantastic. I got in 13 pitches and have sent out seven scripts. It was unbelievably well organized and professionally done. If I can pull together some cash I will try to go to the one in Alberta.

~ Michael Vajgert