Got a brilliant idea for a film or TV show?

Posted February 19, 2009 - 8:07am by stefan chiarantano

Want to learn how to WOW industry professionals with your film or television project? Here’s your chance!

[Note: Interested in attending? Thanks to the good folks at i CAN Pitch, we have several complimentary passes available for our members. Leave a comment below telling us why you should get one. Thanks to all who expressed interest, the winners have been announced.]

At the 2009 iCAN Pitch event you will learn the ins and outs of pitching your film or television idea. In addition, you'll get several opportunities to actually pitch to industry professionals. When asked about the industry insiders and delegates participating in the event, Marie DeLuca, the event’s organiser said, "Some of the biggest names are the most down-to-earth people, willing to help and lend some guidance to someone who may be just starting out. And the quality of the ideas coming from the pitch delegates is astonishing – in many cases all they lack is the ability to make the right connection and a bit of pitching practice, which helps boost their confidence. This opportunity lets them begin to build on the experience that can lead to that confidence, and gives them the skills that can only be gained by going through the process live, face to face. Orchestrating that connection is the whole point of the event.”

iCAN Pitch was co-founded by DeLuca, a mother of two young children and a health care educator working in the field of diabetes education, who donates her time and passion to organizing the event. Her volunteerism is rooted in her love of the visual arts and her commitment to supporting others. Many things inspire DeLuca, for iCAN Pitch, it’s hearing from individuals that have been touched by the event in some way. The feedback gives her the energy and drive to continue, she said.

Now, in its third year, the event runs on volunteer support. iCAN Pitch is a not-for-profit, volunteer run organization supported by the Liberty Village BIA. Lynn Clay from the Liberty Village BIA provides the financial management and support to run the event.

Angela Goudas, a past delegate, credits iCAN Pitch with providing her with inspiration, guidance and opportunity. Her romantic comedy was optioned to Emmerson Denney Films. Being asked about her experience at iCAN Pitch 2007, Goudas said, “I was blown away by the scale of icanpitch and by how well it was organised. The guest speakers were very entertaining and informative. I enjoyed mingling with other aspiring writers and hearing about their projects. The best part was the high I got after delivering a successful pitch.” Goudas wants to give back and is returning to iCAN Pitch 2009 as a volunteer.

The iCAN Pitch 2009 event takes place February 27 & 28 at Studio City, One Pardee Avenue, in Liberty Village. The nearest major intersection is King and Dufferin Streets.

The registration fee is:
$110.00 + GST - Includes Gala opening, workshops, pitching session (filmthrill members receive a 10% discount)
$50.00 + GST - Includes Gala opening and workshops only

You can get more information and register at www.icanpitch.ca/

About the author: 
Stefan Chiarantano is an independent experimental filmmaker based in Toronto. His passions include writing, black and white photography, music and travelling. He writes for several publications.

Comments

iCan Pitch passes

by Michael Armstrong - Feb 22 2009 - 11:24pm

I would LOVE to get a pass to the iCan Pitch event. As an indie filmmaker in toronto, the only way i could attend is through passes. So if there are any left, I would be very excited to get one!

iCan Pitch Passes

by alberto patella - Feb 23 2009 - 9:20pm

I'd love to attend as well! Bring on the passes!

:-)

I must be the ~one~ - cuz I am actually becoming a bionic eye

by Rob Spence - Feb 23 2009 - 10:29pm

Look, I don't mean to say I am Neo or anything but I should definitely get a pass. I mean I am putting a wireless video camera in my head. In other words- I have a prosthetic eye, and I am modifying it to be a wireless video camera. I am not joking - (link removed).

I am pitching a feature doc on me putting a camera in my head.
And I used to be Mr Toronto - (link removed)

So this is all do-able and it deserves some pitch time n'est-ce pas?

Best,

Rob "Eyeborg" Spence

My co-producer and I have the

by Zach Dulmage - Feb 23 2009 - 10:43pm

My co-producer and I have the perfect project under development currently and could hugely benifit from the opportunity to pitch at this event. Please consider us for the passes.

Thanks!
Zach Dulmage
G-Section Productions

Free Passes

by Cary Noel - Feb 23 2009 - 11:05pm

Well I know everyone would like a free pass to the event.

I guess I'm no different.

I just need the pass.

That's all.

That's it.

Just the pass.

Thanks guys.

:)

I CAN Pitch Passes

by Dan Speerin - Feb 23 2009 - 11:16pm

Clever idea to get people to join the site. I see it has worked. Everyone wants these "free passes". I have two indie tv series on the go and wouldn't mind stopping by the event either. I hope some of this community will take a look at my profile and enjoy some of our work and share some of theirs.

free pass to 'I can pitch'

by barrie bailey - Feb 23 2009 - 11:53pm

Good evening

I suppose that everyone that has a concept or idea beilievs that theirs is the best....I feel that way as well.

I believe that I have many practical applications to justify this position.

I would be most pleased to receive a free pass.

Thank you

Barrie Bailey (link removed) (link removed)

RIP - Here Lies a Reality Show Editor

by Lisa Schwartzman - Feb 24 2009 - 12:08am

I don't want to die a video editor. I've been cutting for 10 years, but have recently made headway as a comedy writer and video producer. I have TV shows and webisodes underway, and, given this opportunity, I'd pitch like I was just let out of a cage.

I've got the entrepreneurial spirit, and I appreciate what you're offering-- it's generous.

Thanks,

Lisa "I Can Pitch" Schwartzman

The Best Design Show Ever

by Ruth Kavanagh - Feb 24 2009 - 10:41am

We would like to pitch a show in the Designer Realm. It's not so mainstream & features two sassy up and coming Interior Design Rock Stars. I would love a couple of free passes to get the party started!
Thanks,
Ruth Kavanagh
Pinpoint Pictures

I need a pass - got laid off just now, medical bills piling up,

by Prasenjit Biswas - Feb 24 2009 - 3:21pm

I'M LIKE MANY HARD WORKING CANADIANS WHO HAVE RUN OUT OF WORK, AND MY HEALTH IS FALLING. WE HAVE 2 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. AND WE'ER FALLING BEHIND ON OUR BILLS AND ARE AFRAID WE MAY LOOSE OUR HOME TO FORECLOSURE. TODAY ON THE WAY BACK FROM WORK I WAS ALSO ROBBED. ON TOP OF THAT MY WIFE HAS DISCOVERED HER IDENTITY WAS STOLEN ONLINE. YESTERDAY WE RECEIVED SHUT OFF NOTICES FROM HYDRO AND GAS UTILITIES DUE TO UNPAID BILLS. I ALSO HAVE NO MONEY FOR MY HAIR TRANSPLANT AND MY WIFE CANNOT PAY FOR HER BOTOX INJECTIONS.

NOW CAN I PLEASE HAVE MY FREE PASS?

Cool brilliant idea

by Sebastian Kennedy - Feb 24 2009 - 3:16pm

Imagine a documentary so vivid with information that it makes you leap from your chair. That's what you'll get if you let my co-producer and I pitch at the ican pitch festeival.

Yes I can

by Kara Harun - Feb 24 2009 - 3:21pm

My partner and I have a great idea for a tv pilot. We're both working actors in Toronto and want to create a project that showcases our talents.

The writer is living in Poland right now and we need to get him back here pronto - but need to get the show picked up first - please I would love free passes. Thank you!

I need A Free Pass

by Aaron Long - Feb 24 2009 - 3:48pm

I would use this to launch a career, cause I know I go the skills and the ideas, all I need is the chance to pitch em to someone who matters.

Help us pitch!

by Jamey Ordolis - Feb 24 2009 - 4:06pm

My partner and I have a few important meetings coming up but we're still green and those workshops would be a wonderful help to us.

We also have some interesting insight we can share with others about producing web content. Check out some of out recent production work for Slice and E!Entertainment.

Working it!
(link removed)

Carly Wants a Chin on E!Online
(link removed)

Thanks so much, hope to see everyone there!
Jamey

i CAN Pitch

by Natalia Malysheva - Feb 24 2009 - 4:20pm

I'm happy to join Filmthrill community.
Hope your organization will provide opportunity for creative and innovative development.

I'm an independent producer engaging in a number of new media projects which I believe are the future of the television. This site of the business is of great interest to me and I feel confident that I can contribute to the Canadian new media industry with my experience, knowledge and innovative projects.
To learn more about my previous work please visit my project at (link removed)

I'd like to get a pass for meeting key people in the media industry and convey a new project for them.
I'll really appreciate your help if you could open that door for me.

Thank you.

I would love a free pass!

by Trevor Martin - Feb 24 2009 - 5:36pm

My writing partners and I have a great idea for a feature film and an animated series. We're very excited about the ideas, and have partial scripts and treatments for our projects, but don't really know where to go from here. This sounds like a great place to network and the workshops seem really cool. We are also totally broke, so free is helpful.

Thanks for the offer,

Trevor Martin

icanpitch passes

by David Sloma - Feb 24 2009 - 7:01pm

I'd like 2 passes (one for me and my business partner), as we are a small film production company looking to expand into features and support the Canadian (and international) film market.

(link removed)

iCan Pitch

by James Burt - Feb 24 2009 - 8:06pm

I would enjoy attending iCan Puitch 2009 very much and if you could provide a pass, I would appreciate that even more. I have a completed script for a feature film.

I have just completed my third short film which is screening on 11 April. Please see:

(link removed)

If you'd like to attend, please do.

My other films are in distribution at CFMDC:

(link removed)

I am excited for this weekend and appreciate your consideration of me for this opportunity.

JB

Free pass is the best idea ever!

by Aneela Husain - Feb 24 2009 - 8:51pm

Brilliant ideas should not go to waste especially these days where you see the same storyline repeated over and over with bizarre modifications.
1 free pass is all its gonna take to thrill you with some wonderful stories.
Waiting for my free pass!

And the passes go to...

by eduardo dutra - Feb 24 2009 - 8:55pm

Selected randomly, based on comment number, the passes go to:

1. Michael Armstrong
3. Rob Spence
7. Barrie Bailey
8. Lisa Schwartzman
15. Natalia Malysheva

If you are on this list more information will be emailed to you separately.

In future we hope to be able to provide bigger and better opportunities to the filmthrilll community. Tell your friends and colleagues about us - the stronger we are the more we can do.

Thanks to all who expressed interest.

Good luck with your pitches!

PS - Please post your links to your profile page.