I believe you have a mistaken impression about the TRU program and Bob Ost.
I was part of the Speed Dating of Playwrights and Producers last year and learned an incredible amount about how to pitch my play. As a playwright, I did not have that much insight into how producers thought about and chose the plays they would consider. There was extremely well directed preparation and one-on-one live coaching before the pitching. I was able to think about my play's appeal, its potential audience and how to catch attention for it immediately in a headline and and an "elevator" pitch. We prepared a pitch deck, got feedback on it, made revisions and practiced our pitch live before the session with producers. Then the producers gave their reactions and invaluable advice during the session. Their reactions helped me strengthen my pitch more. And that was the point of the session. Yes, a few people might actually get a producer interested in a production but that was not the promise of the session.
I found when my play was produced this fall - I had a good idea of what to convey in publicity and marketing for my audience - the play's positioning, the visual identity, the tagline, the "elevator pitch" and how to discuss my work thoughtfully and clearly in interviews. And I believe the confidence I had in talking about my play's strength helped attract the professional team I ultimately got.
I have found Bob Ost to be brilliant in providing tools, coaching and support for emerging producers and playwrights. He was recommended to me by several people before I joined TRU and I join them with my highest endorsement.
Kate Gill |
