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You have a series project but you struggle to pitch it efficiently? Presenting a series project in English has become an essential part of audiovisual markets in an increasingly international industry.

This three-day training program focuses on developing and fine-tuning your pitch for maximum impact, and gain the confidence to communicate your series project and vision clearly and confidently in English. An opportunity to prepare for competitions held entirely in English, such as the Co-Pro Pitching sessions at Series Mania Forum.

This is a project-based program: participants take part in the course with a series project in development (fiction, documentary, animation…) on which they will apply the methods and skills they have learned.

Objectives

  • Develop pitching skills in English
  • Learn how to get your message and vision across clearly & confidently
  • Learn how to stand out and influence your audience

method

  • Theory & interactive sessions with a pitching expert
  • Public speaking exercises
  • Individual and peer-to-peer feedback
  • Pitch session in front of a professional jury

Format

Date: Fall 2024 – Three full consecutive days from 10am to 6pm – 21 hours of training

Location: Lille, France (10 rue des Poissonceaux, 59000)

Language: Entirely in English

Number of participants: 5 to 12 participants per edition

who can register?

Series writers and producers.

Requirements

  • This is a project-based program. Participants must have a series project in development (fiction, documentary, animation…) on which they will work to apply the methods and skills acquired.
  • Participants must have a  good level of English (minimum level required: B1 – intermediate).
  • Participants must be over 18 years old or above.

If you have special circumstances, such as a disability, please let us know so that we can discuss your needs. Contact: smi@seriesmania.com

Program outline

Day 1 – Introduction to the art of pitching: Mindset, Content & Structure

  • Developing audience awareness: understanding the interpersonal dynamics that come into play.
  • How to position yourself and your project – developing focus and clarity.
  • How to fine-tune & build your project presentations. What to include and what to leave out.
  • Optimizing the elements and tools you have at your disposal.
  • Tips and tricks on how to get your message and vision across effectively.

Day 2 – Building a series pitch: Execution & Impact

  • Best practices for both casual and formal pitching, 1:1 meetings and networking situations
  • Exploring how to establish connection as a basis for a collaborative relationship
  • Learning how to shape the journey of your pitch
  • Sharpening your presentation skills – exchange constructive feedback on your communication style

Day 3 – Simulation of a pitch session

  • Pitching simulation in front of a duo of professionals. 
  • Valuable and constructive feedback on the impact and quality of the pitch within an encouraging atmosphere

the speaker

Bonnie Williams is a Pitch & Public Speaking Coach & Consultant for industry professionals. She specializes in supporting international speakers in finding their own voice and speaking with impact. She consults & mentors on pitching, presenting, networking & interview techniques for filmmakers, creatives, heads of industry, moderators & experts. She also runs workshops and panels on the Human Side of International Co-production: Communicating with Impact.

An Amsterdam-based, American-born (former) actress and stage director, Bonnie also coaches and advises documentary filmmakers on their personal voiceovers.

tuition fees

1260€ TTC per participant

For French participants, depending on your eligibility, all training programs can be funded in part or in full by AFDAS or other funding organizations.

For other participants, we encourage you to contact local funds or writers/producers guilds to inquire about potential funding.

Series Mania Institute urges all applicants to anticipate further costs that are not included in the tuition fees, such as travel, accommodation and daily expenses.

key dates

Spring-Summer 2024: Registration

Fall 2024: Pitch your series project in English training program

REGISTRATION

To register, fill in the online registration form accessible on this web page. It is necessary to provide a CV in English, as well as a copy of the identity card or passport.

Following the submission of the registration form, each participant will be contacted by Series Mania Institute within the following 15 days, in order to validate their participation.

The rules & regulations terms must be accepted in the registration form.

Submissions by e-mail, post or any other means will not be accepted.

the training program in figures

Latest update – January 2024

  • 9 participants trained in the first edition
  • 5 different nationalities represented among our participants
  • Participants of the last edition rated the training program 9.4/10.

questions ?

If you have any questions, please send an email to smi@seriesmania.com

eureka series

Latest update: 2024-03-27