The fourth stage of producing and pitching a successful animated series crafting and presenting your IP bible.
After going through the many, many steps involved in crafting an intellectual property (IP) bible that sells, your animation bible is finally ready. Now that you’ve done your homework and discovered a market for your brilliant animation project, it’s time you prepare yourself to present it.
Did you know that your presentation material holds more weight than your script or even your IP bible?
Depending on how you present your animation IP bible, you can give investors a real sense of your project’s potential.
Present your bible pitch well, and you can show them why and how your characters and episode storylines are worth viewers’ time and attention.
If you wish to give them a glimpse into the world you’re creating and leave an impression they’ll find hard to forget, then keep reading. With these 10 tips, you can put on your best show and convey your passion for your animation IP.
Presentation Seriously Matters & Here’s Why
In today’s age of the small screen, it’s all about showing executives that your project is worth their resources. The tough part is where you have to do it quickly, but cover everything that matters using just the right material.
(And don’t forget the part where you have to show you have what it takes to keep viewers hooked for an entire season. And hopefully more).
You see, your presentation is more than just a sales pitch—it’s a reflection of your passion, creativity, and attention to detail. It’s your opportunity to proudly display the world you’ve built, the characters you’ve crafted, and the stories you’re eager to tell.
The way you communicate your ideas, the enthusiasm in your voice, and even your body language can all be game changing. If you’re not pumped about your project and confident in its potential, why should anyone else be?
The bottomline here is that: your presentation can make all the difference. Now let’s go through some tips that will help you nail an awesome presentation and grab your audience’s attention.
Know Your Audience
Executives at networks want to see that you’ve put in the effort to research their part of the deal. Also, be ready to discuss how your animated series will go along smoothly with the network’s existing programming and why it’s the perfect fit for them.
Thoroughly impress them and improve your chances of success by knowing:
- The network’s target audience
- Their most popular shows
- Their program gaps
Try to align your project’s direction with the network’s known goals and highlight this in your presentation. Think of it as a job interview and know that the closer you are to their values, the more you are to capture their interest!
Additionally, take the time to try to learn about the kinds of projects they invest in. Use your networking opportunities and reach out to companies that have received funding from the same investors in the past.
Who knows? They might be willing to share some insights on what you can expect or who you should try your hardest to impress. This way, you can also build connections within the industry and show that you’re proactive, and that you care!
Know Your Competition
Make sure to identify your competitors and clearly outline your animation IP’s position in the market landscape puzzle. Decision-makers worry that your project might have to face off well-known blockbusters (backed by even huger fundings) on different platforms. And you can’t blame them!
So find those competitors and outline all the unique strengths and points that make your project different.
Stephanie Palmerie, a partner at SoftTech VC, emphasizes this point in her presentations for entrepreneurs. She thinks you should, “always see your startup in the context of the environment in which you operate, including those who you partner with, those who you compete against, and those who keep you awake at night.”
Artful Use of Language
Are you thinking of going all out to show your creative flair? Using flowery language does seem tempting when impressing your favorite animation production studio is at stake, doesn’t it?
Well, it’ll do you some good to ignore those temptations. Using complicated language or relying on abstract, academic concepts won’t be nearly as effective as being clear and convincing.
Think of how animation itself is all about the incredible ability of images to go beyond words and convey many emotions in a single frame. And just like animation, language can be a powerful medium to communicate emotions and ideas.
As animators, we know how valuable and tough it can be to capture the essence of something so deep in a passing line, paragraph, or page. Of course, using visuals in your presentation can help you a lot, especially when it comes to showing your visions to the execs.
But it’s not just about the visuals. One of animation’s superpowers is its ability to evoke emotions and connect with the audience on a deeper level. Just think of how many times you’ve bawled your eyes out watching The Lion King or Brother Bear (we know you have).
Picotion’s team of talented animators and artists understand the power of storytelling and the importance of capturing the essence of your IP. Our creative team will work closely with you to craft a compelling narrative. Drop us a line and let’s see how we can help you pitch your animation series.
Nail Your “Elevator Pitch”
In the world of writing and film, the concept of an elevator pitch is essentially about sharing your story idea in a quick and snappy way, just like you would if you bumped into someone on an elevator.
And no, you’re not going to just talk about what happens in the storyline; you’ll be delving into the broader themes and ideas too.
Imagining this scenario is a clever technique to prepare yourself for a situation where you’ll either have to get those pitching skills to work or lose an investor.
In this case, an easy formula to find your elevator pitch looks like this:
Logline + Hook + Case = Elevator Pitch
As we thoroughly covered this topic on our previous blog:
- The “Logline” is a one-sentence summary of your project that has to include its core concepts. Think of your logline as the shortest version of your elevator pitch.
- The “Hook” is the element of your project that grabs attention and differentiates it from the competition.
- The “Case” is a brief statement that makes a “case” for it. You can do this by predicting audience appeal, market trends, and more.
Remember, the best elevator pitches are clear, concise, and engaging. They should encapsulate the essence of your project (while also teasing some future possibilities) and leave a lasting impact on whoever’s listening.
So, take the time to craft a pitch that does your project justice and sets the stage for a successful pitch meeting.
Find Your Presenter
It’s perfectly fine to have another team member take on the role of presenter if public speaking isn’t your forte.
Sure, it’s more common to see the CEO doing the pitch, but it’s not set in stone. The CEO’s job is to show off their leadership skills, and sometimes it’s even cooler to let someone else take the spotlight. It shows that you trust your team and believe in their abilities, which in turn highlights the awesome talents in your group.
But here’s the secret sauce: when choosing who should do the pitch, think about your audience. Are they tech-savvy folks? Well, having a whiz with all those technical details can really make a difference. But if your audience is more into the creative side of things, you might want someone with a knack for storytelling to sprinkle some extra pixie dust on your project.
Note: Don’t forget to prep your presenter! Make sure they’ve practiced the pitch and can take any curveball questions. This shows your audience that you’re serious about this project, and so is your team.
Practice & Gather Feedback
Remember, most TV pitching sessions are less than 30 minutes, so you’ll need to be concise and make every second count. Use the time you have to practice your pitch, refine your delivery, and make sure you’re hitting all the key points.
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from your team or even friends and family. They can provide valuable insights and tell you if any areas need improvement. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, and watch it back to see where you can make adjustments. The more you practice, the more confident and polished your delivery will be.
And remember, it’s normal to feel some nerves before the pitch. Try to center yourself, focus on your message, and let your passion guide you. With practice, feedback, and a sprinkle of confidence, you’ll be fully prepared to deliver a knockout pitch in under 30 minutes.
Adjust Your Tone
If you’re writing a comedy, your series bible should be funny. Just take Adventure Time’s bible document as an example (image below).
But if your project is more on the dramatic side, your tone should reflect that. For example, you can go with a more serious and grounded approach. The key is to be consistent and make sure your tone matches the overall mood of your animation IP.
It’s all about setting the right mood and giving the executives a taste of what your project is all about. So, have some fun with it, and let your creativity shine through in your animation series bible pitch!
Your Scripts May Not Be Read!
Yes, your script is a fantastic way to show off your skills in writing sharp dialogue and creating edge-of-your-seat scenes. But here’s the thing: a pilot script can easily be over 30 pages long, and that’s quite a lot for busy decision-makers to get through.
So (don’t get your heart broken just yet, but) your script may not even be read, especially if you’re not a well-known writer.
There’s a chance that the folks making the decisions might just skim through the series overview and logline to get a quick sense of what your project is all about.
So, how do you make sure your script gets the attention it deserves?
First, you’ve got your animation IP bible to help you out. Don’t forget that the main reason for your bible’s existence is to make life easier for investors and executives by giving them everything they want to know about your animation in bite-sized chapters.
Present it right, and you can draw investors and producers in with a catchy logline that sums up the essence of your story. Then, you’ll grab their attention with a short and sweet synopsis that gives them a taste of the key elements of your project. If they like what they see, they’ll be more inclined to dive into the full synopsis and get a better understanding of your vision.
Use Images Wisely
When it comes to pitching your animation IP bible, visuals play a crucial role in conveying your story and vision. Using images that clash in style or theme can lead to confusion, and low-quality images can detract from the overall impression you’re trying to make.
Remember that you don’t necessarily need to have a digital presentation. While digital images can be a powerful way to showcase your animation IP, if you prefer a more traditional approach, you can also present artwork on paper.
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing your artworks and images.
- Keep it unified. For example, two different images with contradicting visuals and opposite color themes will likely only confuse your audiences.
- Make sure to take into account the quality of each image. If it’s a low resolution or low quality image, DO NOT use it.
- Don’t reference multiple movies or shows in your visuals. That way, you’ll just seem desperate.
Show Adaptability
Investors love to see folks who can roll with the punches and change things up when needed. Make sure you get across that you’re open to making adjustments and tweaks down the line if it’s what’s best for the project.
Just a little heads-up, though. If you’re not the showrunner or a director, try not to get too bogged down in the nitty-gritty details of how your series or movie is going to look, especially when you’re talking about the visual style.
You want to show that you’ve thought things through, but you don’t want to overwhelm your audience with too many specifics. So, keep it high-level and focused on the big picture, and you’ll be just fine!
Animation Outsourcing
By creating a compelling pitch, you have the chance to attract investors and high-tech studios who can provide their expertise and support. To rephrase, your pitch is a ticket to bring valuable partners on board and make a convincing case for the potential success of your animated series.
Some companies opt to collaborate with animation studios or distributor companies after completing the pre-production phase (research, strategy, scriptwriting, stylizing, storyboarding), while others prefer involving professionals from the beginning.
The timing is yours to decide, but we seriously recommend considering bringing experts on-board whether they’re a part of your in-house team or not. In our blog post here, we thoroughly covered the reasons why creative studios might want to outsource and what challenges they might encounter.
If you’re looking for a reliable partner in animation outsourcing, Picotion is an international creative studio that provides specialized solutions to address all your concerns. From 2D and 3D animation and motion capture to character development and video game trailers, our expertise is yours for the taking.
Want to know what sets us apart?
We are committed to:
- Maintaining creative control
- Fostering clear communication and collaboration
- Ensuring quality assurance and control
- Protecting intellectual property
- Managing costs and budgets effectively
- Meeting timelines and deadlines
- Finding the right talent for your project.
By outsourcing your animation projects to Picotion, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands and your vision will be realized to its fullest potential.
Conclusion
How you present your animation bible pitch can be the difference between getting your project picked up or left on the cutting room floor.
Our final advice to you is to master the art of being concise and clear. It’s only then that you can convey all your genius ideas in the bible pitch document effectively.
Good luck!
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