Research on the trend in film production companies' preferences for their current projects. The demand for movie genres and the type of stories developed by the studios vary seasonally. Recently successful movies tend to create a trend that can last for a short or a long time. Many companies also have specific preferences depending on their branding and image. For instance, Disney makes family-friendly flicks, Fox Searchlight makes independent and art films and Pixar specifically makes animated films.
You also may make original stories that are not necessarily tailor-made for a specific movie trend or genre. However, you must still make sure you choose the right companies that can find your material suitable for their needs. Generally, studios either look for concepts with high-market appeal or art-house projects that can garner awards.
Develop the basic idea or concept you have for your movie. The challenge is how you can say what the story is all about in one or two sentences and make it interesting to your listener. Your must also determine the genre of the movie idea.
Research your concept's requirements. Unless you are actually an expert in the material you choose, you must also get more information about it. For instance, if you are making a movie about martial arts, you must be knowledgeable enough to create a story involving it.
Expand your concept into a synopsis. You must be able to tell the entire story in a few paragraphs, compete with a beginning, middle and end. Focus on the major plot points for the main character as you can't take too much time during your presentation.
Make character backgrounds for your story. These backgrounds must be written as a supporting document with the major characters' descriptions about their lives even before the actual story happens. While this document is only for your own use, you should know it by heart prior to the pitch so that you can defend your story and characters and add credibility to your presentation.
Write your storyline and make sure you have a complete grasp of the story's major details. When already pitching, it should have a good impact on the ones listening to it. Your presentation should allow them to visualize the movie and its potential for box office or awards success.
Prepare your pitching presentation. Outline your idea according to how you want your listener to understand your story. Pitching is similar to a one-man play where the audience should be able to engage themselves in what they hear. Usually, a pitch can be anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes long.
Make your presentation short, but straight to the point. Budget your time accordingly and outline about 20 beats of your story. Each beat generally works like one sentence describing the main events that happen in the story. Some pitches may be one-page long, but some may be up to 10 pages long. It is actually better to have a shorter but considerably detailed enough pitching document. Most prefer nothing more than five pages for it.