We’ve sourced everything you need to know about creating a pitch deck for your next film project. There is a lot of great information out there and luckily, pitching your script is easier now thanks to the abundance of updated visualization technology. After all, your pitch deck is a visual supplement to your screenplay or script. This is your chance to share your vision of why your film should get made.

First, Let’s Look at the Original Stranger Things Pitch Deck “Montauk”

If you follow @lafilmschool on Instagram and Facebook, you may have seen our video on the Stranger Things pitch deck. If you’re curious, go back and watch the video to see what three elements made that original pitch deck such a success. We’ll dive deeper into what makes a film pitch deck successful here in a moment, but let’s examine the original pitch deck from Netflix’s Stranger Things.

The Duffer brothers built their franchise empire off a charming, supernatural-inspired show concept they originally called “Montauk.” Their pitch neatly laid out the show’s vision across a 20+ page pitch deck to attract networks and eventually secured a home with Netflix.

The title page of the pitch deck shows an eerie grey-washed photograph of an abandoned bike on the side of a desolate road. “Montauk” is clearly displayed in red block letters above the photo. The only other text on the title page is… “An Epic Tale of sci-fi horror.”

The 3 Things the Duffer Brothers included in their pitch deck that made “Montauk” into one of Netflix’s most successful series franchises

Stranger_Things_-_Bible Download

1. Use Imagery That Builds Your Vision

Imagery is used throughout the deck to convey what type of vibe the series is aiming to achieve.

The Duffer Brothers leveraged colors, textures, and even imagery from supernatural ’80s cult classics, building a strong vision for investors right off the bat.

2. Write a Clear and Engaging Synopsis

Your readers should feel hooked right from the introduction page. This sets the tone for the rest of the pitch deck and includes a strong final sentence that sums up what’s to come:

From Montauk’s Pitch Deck: “Emotional, cinematic, and rooted in character, Montauk is a love letter to the golden age of Steven Spielberg and Stephen King – a marriage of human drama and supernatural fear.

Both the STORY and STRUCTURE sections of this pitch did an excellent job of painting a clear trajectory of the story while still giving investors a sense of mystery and intrigue.

3. Appeal to Your Investors’ Business Sense

The final page of the pitch deck is “Franchise Potential,” which aims to pique the interest of studio executives and networks. It gives a solid story continuation layout if the series were to get picked up and do well with audiences. Spoiler alert—Stranger Things did more than just well, the show was a smash hit.

How can you apply these same concepts to your own film or TV show pitch deck?

Now that you’ve seen what a successful film pitch deck looks like, it’s time to perfect your own. Leading with the three essential elements of a great pitch deck (1. Strong imagery 2. Clear synopsis and 3. A future plan), let’s dive into your ultimate pitch deck checklist.

Under those three main buckets are subcategories to include in your pitch deck. You’ll want to make sure your vision for your project is clearly defined. Potential networks need to see the value of your project’s pitch deck and connect with the story synopsis right off the bat.

Your Pitch Deck Should Have… Strong Imagery

film pitch deck example — ^{Example by Vicious & Co}

Instant visual cues included in your writing
Mood board images to convey the style and tone
Examples of inspiration from other film and TV projects

Your Pitch Deck Should Have a… Clear Synopsis

A brief story introduction following your title slide
Background on the creative team behind the screenplay and/or film project
Introduction of characters (make your audience care and feel a sense of who each character is)

Your Pitch Deck Should Have a… Future Plan

Breakdown of targeted genres and audience demographics
Financial and distribution details
Mention potential installments or series continuation opportunities

Take a look at your own pitch deck and see if you have these elements outlined above. Ask yourself if there is anything missing. Does your pitch deck convey a clear tone and build interest with each slide? Are you representing the project in the most effective way?

STUDENT PRO TIP: If you’re a student at The L.A. Film School, you can get your pitch decks and film reels peer-reviewed by our advisors in Career Development or with your course instructors.

Ready to Pitch the Story Only You Can Tell?

A strong pitch deck does more than summarize a film or TV idea. It helps people see the world, tone, characters and creative potential behind the project before a single scene is shot.

From mood boards and visual references to a clear synopsis and future plan, every slide should help your audience understand why the story matters and where it could go next. For emerging filmmakers and writers, learning how to pitch is part of learning how to think like a storyteller and a creative collaborator.

At The L.A. Film School, students can build the skills behind writing, producing, directing and presenting original screen stories. Explore the on-campus Film degree, the on-campus Film Production degree or the online Writing for Film & TV degree.

You can also Request Info or Apply Now when you’re ready to take the next step.

FAQs: Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Film/TV Pitch Deck

What Is a Film Pitch Deck?

A film pitch deck is a visual presentation that introduces a film or TV project to potential collaborators, producers, investors or networks. It usually includes the project’s title, tone, story concept, characters, visual style, target audience and future potential.

What Should Be Included in a Film or TV Pitch Deck?

A strong pitch deck should include compelling imagery, a clear synopsis, character introductions, background on the creative team and a future plan for the project. It may also include genre positioning, audience demographics, distribution details or franchise potential.

Why Is Imagery Important in a Pitch Deck?

Imagery helps communicate the tone and world of the project quickly. Mood boards, color palettes, visual references and design choices can help readers understand the genre, atmosphere and emotional direction before they read deeper into the story.

How Long Should a Film Pitch Deck Be?

A film or TV pitch deck should be long enough to communicate the project clearly without overwhelming the reader. Many pitch decks use a concise slide format that moves from the title and concept into the story, characters, visual style, creative team and next-step potential.

How Do You Write a Strong Pitch Deck Synopsis?

A strong synopsis should introduce the story clearly, hook the reader early and give enough detail to understand the central conflict, characters and tone. It should create interest without overloading the pitch with every plot point.

Why Should a Pitch Deck Include Audience or Genre Details?

Audience and genre details help show where the project fits in the marketplace. A pitch deck becomes stronger when it communicates who the story is for, what kind of viewing experience it offers and why it could connect with a specific audience.

What Can Film and Writing Students Learn From Creating Pitch Decks?

Creating a pitch deck helps students think beyond the script and consider how a project is presented visually, creatively and professionally. It can strengthen skills in storytelling, tone, character development, audience awareness and creative communication.

The Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Film/TV Pitch Deck

First, Let’s Look at the Original Stranger Things Pitch Deck “Montauk”