Consulting

“Working with Stephanie is an invaluable, transforming experience…. Her techniques demystify the studio pitch by helping the writer ‘hear’ the story from the studio executive’s perspective. She helped me hone a compelling pitch and discover effective ‘selling points’ along the way.” —Dean DeBlois, Oscar-nominated director of Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon

“Stephanie Palmer is the guru of pitching. She has helped me get ready for meetings I aced, not only selling book ideas to publishers and TV ideas to networks, but Broadway musicals to producers.”
—Iris Ranier Dart, best-selling author of Beaches, The People In The Picture

Overview

I work with writers, directors, and producers to help them learn to pitch, persuade, and sell. As a result, my clients have sold spec scripts, set up TV shows, produced films, and received better assignments for more money.

I also have consulted with professionals outside of Hollywood to help them network more effectively, find more clients, get promoted, secure funding for start-ups, and launch small businesses.

A consultation is an hour-long videoconference or phone call. Topics for a consultation can include how to:

Customize a networking plan to meet the right people
Develop a compelling pitch
Create a strategy for a particular meeting

Questions

What does it cost?

An hour-long consultation by Skype or phone is $375. Prior to the consultation I’ll review your materials (e.g. project synopsis, treatment, pitch deck, business plan). There is an additional $375 fee to read scripts.

A package of three consulting sessions is $1125. A package of six consulting sessions (to be completed within one year) is $2250. If you purchase a package of 3 or 6 sessions, you also receive email support. This allows me to customize the process to meet your needs, and help you to follow-through and reach your goals. Typically, new clients consult with me once a month for 3-6 months, then on an as-needed basis.

I’m considering consulting with you. Can we chat briefly by phone?

Yes. Call me at 310-424-5451 or email me to schedule a complimentary 15-minute Skype or phone call.

What’s your policy on confidentiality?

I keep everything we discuss and all your written materials completely confidential.

Do you produce projects? Would you represent me as an agent?

I do not produce projects and I’m not an agent. You will retain all rights and ownership and I do not work on a commission or a percentage basis.

I have a question that’s not answered here. What should I do?

Email me your question or call 310-424-5451 and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

How To Get Started

Here’s how the process works for our first meeting:

Step 1: Purchase a consultation.
Step 2: I’ll email you to schedule the meeting and I’ll send you a questionnaire about your goals and your project.
Step 3: We meet via Skype video (or by phone).

“Stephanie Palmer delivers clear, useful advice on how to successfully move the good idea in your head into the other heads in the room. It is hard to think of a more valuable skill.”
—Peter Kaufman, CEO, Glenair, Inc.

“Working with Stephanie helped me to understand how executives were likely to respond at different points of the pitch. Like clockwork, two minutes into the pitch I was interrupted with questions. After opening a dialogue and answering their questions I reminded them of where we were in the pitch and I continued with my meeting strategy. I was interrupted about seven more times, but I didn’t mind at all because they were really engaged and we’d already anticipated the questions. In the end I got to pitch the story in a relaxed and energetic way as well as talk about casting, script changes and character development. I got to say more than I ever thought I would and I felt in control of the conversation. PRETTY COOL!”
—Lance Larson, award-winning Director/Editor, Synthetic Pictures

“I hired Stephanie for a pitch contest held by the Motion Picture Association and the Chinese International Copyright Expo, to pitch one of my feature film scripts. As a result I won Special Prize for best story and a trip to Screen Australia. My script got an offer. I was offered a screenwriting job by a prominent Chinese director. Stephanie’s career advice was very helpful. She advised me how to position myself and it was very smart. I would recommend her to anyone. She’s very pleasant to work with and I felt quite comfortable with her.” —Ying Liu, screenwriter

“Applying Stephanie’s techniques and principles helped me acquire a Hollywood literary agent and I plan to use Stephanie’s methods when shopping my new sitcom to studio executives. ”
—Brian Egeston, Head Writer, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne

“Stephanie has the inside information you need to know to clinch the deal. Don’t let that baby face fool you, she is wise beyond her years, and is only a tough critic because she really wants you to win. I highly recommend her consulting services.”
—Julie Austin, President of Swiggies, the wrist water bottle by HydroSport

“Stephanie Palmer helps writers to be good in a room — and she is the best there is. Success stories abound with this fun and enthusiastic method to pitch and win.”
—Blake Snyder, author of the best-selling Save The Cat! series

“Stephanie gave me wonderful tips on presenting both myself and my material to potential buyers and representation. After two weeks, I signed with a fantastic manager and within two months, I had dozens of meetings with production companies and studios.”
—Chad Feehan, producer, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane

“Your advice is fantastic and extremely insightful for anyone pitching their product in today’s changing television environment. I want to thank you personally.”
—Timothy T. Teal, Showrunner/Supervising Producer, Dance City

“Stephanie Palmer is not only one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet, she’s extraordinarily good at conveying the concepts she teaches. I would recommend Stephanie without reservation to anyone interested in learning how to pitch their idea or project.”
—Julie Gray, screenwriter and founder of Just Effing Entertain Me.

“There really is a craft to oral storytelling (pitching), and Stephanie shares invaluable advice for mastering this essential component of show business survival.”
—Tom Benedek, screenwriter of Cocoon, Free Willy