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Jaws In Space: Powerful Pitching for Film and TV Screenwriters
Two screenwriters once walked into a Hollywood producer's office and said three words 'Jaws in space.' Those three words won them the contract for the blockbuster movie Alien.The ability to pitch well is essential for all writers, directors and producers in cinema and TV, drama, documentary and series. Strong pitching skills will accelerate your career - not only helping you sell your projects, but also developing them in the first place, focusing on what makes a story work, clarifying character and plot, and working more successfully with industry collaborators.This book takes you from the essentials of what makes a good pitch to advanced skills that will help you in all kinds of pitching situations. Charles Harris gives a clear-sighted view of how pitching works in the industry and a series of very practical techniques for developing a gripping and convincing pitch. Drawing on his experience, he examines the problems that can arise with both mainstream and unconventional projects - from a range of different cultures - and explains how to solve them. He also analyses the process of taking a pitch meeting and shows you how to ensure you perform at your best.'Everything you need to know about pitching and a whole lot more' - Nicola Quilter'Charles Harris has created the perfect handbook for anyone who is a bit uncertain or scared about pitching their work' - writesofluid.com'Charles makes the whole process of pitching seem so enjoyable' - Lock and Load, Brides of Christ
- GenresWriting
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2016
9 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Charles Harris
11 books27 followersCharles Harris is a bestselling, award-nominated author and award-winning writer-director.
His latest novel, the comedy crime Play Me! has won a place as a finalist for the Page Turner Awards 2025.
Harris likes to give his novels a political edge and to go undercover to research them. For Play Me! he worked with SAS veterans, journalists researching high-profile assassinations and charity workers dealing with international corruption. He goes to great lengths to get the right details, to the point of falling off a mountain in the Caribbean.
For The Breaking of Liam Glass, a gripping satirical tale of tabloid scoops and betrayal, he smuggled himself into tabloid newsrooms and local government offices. His debut novel, it was an Amazon bestseller and shortlisted for Wishing Shelf and Eyelands International awards.
For his second novel, the psychological thriller Room Fifteen, he worked with police and talked his way into a police cell. It also became an Amazon genre bestseller.
He has won international TV and film awards for his darkly satirical documentaries, dramatised documentaries and his debut feature movies, the black comedy Paradise Grove. He has had short stories nominated for awards and his non-fiction work includes the bestselling Teach Yourself: Complete Screenwriting Course (John Murray) and Jaws in Space (Creative Essentials). Both are recommended reading on MA screenwriting courses.
He has also trained extensively in hypnotherapy and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) which he uses to help writers, directors, actors and other artists, is a board member of the Society of Authors - and is a sixth Dan in Aikido.
He has a wife lives with him in North London and two sons who don't.
His latest novel, the comedy crime Play Me! has won a place as a finalist for the Page Turner Awards 2025.
Harris likes to give his novels a political edge and to go undercover to research them. For Play Me! he worked with SAS veterans, journalists researching high-profile assassinations and charity workers dealing with international corruption. He goes to great lengths to get the right details, to the point of falling off a mountain in the Caribbean.
For The Breaking of Liam Glass, a gripping satirical tale of tabloid scoops and betrayal, he smuggled himself into tabloid newsrooms and local government offices. His debut novel, it was an Amazon bestseller and shortlisted for Wishing Shelf and Eyelands International awards.
For his second novel, the psychological thriller Room Fifteen, he worked with police and talked his way into a police cell. It also became an Amazon genre bestseller.
He has won international TV and film awards for his darkly satirical documentaries, dramatised documentaries and his debut feature movies, the black comedy Paradise Grove. He has had short stories nominated for awards and his non-fiction work includes the bestselling Teach Yourself: Complete Screenwriting Course (John Murray) and Jaws in Space (Creative Essentials). Both are recommended reading on MA screenwriting courses.
He has also trained extensively in hypnotherapy and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) which he uses to help writers, directors, actors and other artists, is a board member of the Society of Authors - and is a sixth Dan in Aikido.
He has a wife lives with him in North London and two sons who don't.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 14, 2016
Every artist (and entrepreneur) should read this book!
Although 'Jaws in Space' is predominantly aimed at screenwriters with the daunting task of presenting their scripts to film and TV producers, or directors, these principles are useful to anyone with an idea to sell. Pitching is particularly difficult for us novelists who spend long months (sometimes years) polishing our manuscripts. To describe our work in two succinct sentences seems impossible at times. Yet pitching is a skill we need to possess in order to gain readers. This book helps a writer to see the wood for the trees: what is the story really about? Harris also goes further than just pitching; he also explains the nature of a story, how the characters and plot interact to make an excellent story – and a pitch.
This book has already become an invaluable tool in my writing process and I know I will be dipping in and out of for years to come.
Although 'Jaws in Space' is predominantly aimed at screenwriters with the daunting task of presenting their scripts to film and TV producers, or directors, these principles are useful to anyone with an idea to sell. Pitching is particularly difficult for us novelists who spend long months (sometimes years) polishing our manuscripts. To describe our work in two succinct sentences seems impossible at times. Yet pitching is a skill we need to possess in order to gain readers. This book helps a writer to see the wood for the trees: what is the story really about? Harris also goes further than just pitching; he also explains the nature of a story, how the characters and plot interact to make an excellent story – and a pitch.
This book has already become an invaluable tool in my writing process and I know I will be dipping in and out of for years to come.
December 1, 2020
There's some insight here, but despite the fact that this book is only 4 years old, it often feels incredibly dated. There are several references to Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey that feel inappropriate.
This doesn't tarnish the entirety of the book, but reflects the out of touch points peppered throughout.
This doesn't tarnish the entirety of the book, but reflects the out of touch points peppered throughout.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews