PITCH IT TO ME
CREATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL FILM PITCH
SIX FREE WORKSHOPS
PRESENTED BY SPECTRUM PRODUCTIONS
Step into Pitch it To Me, a unique six-week workshop series designed to guide emerging filmmakers through the process of building a compelling, professional film pitch. Film pitches are a crucial part of the filmmaking process, helping you consider every element of your film, from its narrative structure to character development and visual style, and laying the foundation for a successful production journey. A well-thought-out pitch will clarify your vision and communicate it effectively to potential collaborators, investors, audiences, producers and grant systems. Each workshop in this series will be led by a different independent filmmaker who has developed their creative practice here in Montréal, a city celebrated for its vibrant film culture and independent arts scene. By the end of the series, every participant will leave with a polished pitch deck made in Canva, ready to captivate.
PITCH IT TO ME WORKSHOP SERIES
PRODUCER AND FACILITATOR
MEET ERIN O’CONNOR
WORKSHOP SERIES PRODUCER AND FACILITATOR
Erin O'Connor is a self-taught filmmaker and the founder of AGATHA, a Montréal-based production company known for its compelling short films and dynamic spots for local businesses. Her debut short, Fire Flames, garnered international attention, with a selection at Cannes and multiple awards. Erin’s follow-up, half-light, is available on No Budge and was recently showcased in Paris at The Fantasy Film Festival. She has also secured funding for a feature film script through Telefilm and a short film through the Canada Arts Council.
In addition to her work, Erin has directed and produced for a range of artists, including Jonah Yano, Patrick Holland, and Daniel Bélanger. Most recently, Erin was an Assistant Producer for the 48 Hour Film Project Montréal and worked on the 11th edition of The Lunenburg Documentary Film Festival. Erin’s filmmaking approach is rooted in collaboration and ensuring that every team member has the support they need to flourish creatively.
WORKSHOP 1
6 feb 2025
ESSENCE AND IMPACT: writing a synopsis that sells your story
With: Noelle Perdue, Writer
WORKSHOP 2
13 feb 2025
THE SOUND OF EMOTION: creating an audio world that echoes your vision
With: Della Orrey, Sound Designer
WORKSHOP 3
20 feb 2025
VISUAL POETRY: translating story into striking references
With: Emem Etti, Cinematographer
WORKSHOP 4
27 feb 2025
THE CREATOR’S NARRATIVE: expressing purpose in film
With: Alex Apostolidis, Director
WORKSHOP 5
6 mar 2025
FROM GREENLIGHT TO SPOTLIGHT: navigating the road to release
With: Laura-Lynn Petrick, Producer
WORKSHOP 6
13 mar 2025
PITCH IT TO ME: the art of captivating loglines and elevator pitches
With: Frederic Bohbot, Producer
Noelle Perdue (she/her) is a seasoned writer, editor, and producer with over a decade of experience crafting compelling stories for both mainstream and independent media companies. A graduate of McGill University with a diploma in professional scriptwriting for film and television, Noelle specializes in developing innovative pitches and engaging narratives. Her creative work spans a range of genres, with a particular focus on fantasy and comedy. Notably, she produced an award-winning experimental comedy show and brings a deeply committed, sometimes overly serious approach to every Dungeons & Dragons character she creates.
Della Orrey (she/they) is a Tiohtià:ke - Mooniyang - Montréal based music composer and sound designer who has founded Public Deity Records that seeks to investigate the post pandemic landscape of the music/recording industry while establishing their emerging recording artist catalog under the moniker Djeity. Their work in music and sound supports a variety of visual formats ranging from (but not limited to) short film, advertising campaigns and virtual reality. Della uses sound to unpack themes of identity, beauty and healing within the intersections of technology, visual storytelling and music. Outside of their personal endeavors, they manage label operations for the FYEO project - a joint venture between Sony Music and Vancouver based media company District.
Emem Etti is a Nigerian-Canadian visual artist and community engagement facilitator currently residing in Tiohtià:ke, also known as Montréal. Etti’s practice utilizes [expanded] cinema, performance art, and textiles to envision afro-futuristic interpretations of the Black femme experience. Through these mediums, Emem offers an intimate and immersive perspective on contemporary counter-narratives.
Alex Apostolidis is a queer multi-disciplinary artist with an image-based practice working in Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang (Montreal, Quebec). Using chaos and comedy as cloaking devices, they explore communal experience and deviance from cultural hegemony through moving and still images, performance, installation and print via subject matter such as cars, television, and kitsch memorabilia. Apostolidis’ performance practice has spanned playing in punk bands, acting in plays and short films, and performing and directing their own experimental narrative durational performance pieces. Alex recently finished their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography at Concordia University. Notably, their works have been shown at Celine Bureau (2023) and Artch (2023), Art Souterrain (2022) Montreal, QC, Performance is Alive (2019), Brooklyn, NYC. Their print work is also in the collections of Suoni Per Il Popolo (2022), Concordia University, La Bibliotheque et Archives National du Québec (2018) and private collections throughout North America.
Laura-Lynn Petrick is a multidisciplinary filmmaker and artist with a background in film and studies of popular culture.
Petrick's photography work has been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Dazed & Confused, Rolling Stones, Harper's Bazaar, and Toronto Star.
Petrick has directed, shot, edited, and produced over 130 music videos for acclaimed artists and labels, including Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Sub Pop. She has also directed and shot visual campaigns for leading industry musicians Weyes Blood, Girl in Red, Mac DeMarco, Jessica Pratt, and Allah Las. She has shot global campaigns for American Apparel, Toyota, Lot 40 Whisky, Vans, Vice, and Pernod Ricard.
Petrick's previous directorial work includes "Superior" (2016) - a documentary love story featured in Cannes AVIFF 2017- and other music documentary works with Allah-Las and Mac DeMarco. Petrick recently produced & directed Lempo (2024), Dear Mac (2024) directed by award-winning actress Kathleen Munroe.
Executive Producer of the 2014 Academy Award winning short documentary The Lady in Number 6, Frederic Bohbot founded Bunbury Films in 2002 as an independent producer/director intending only to make one film: Once a Nazi…- 2006 (Canal D, PBS, Noga).
On the back of the critical success of Once a Nazi… there was no turning back and Bohbot expanded Bunbury’s production slate – producing a number of documentaries including: Bigfoot’s Reflection – 2007 (Space, Netflix) and Leaving the Fold – 2008 (SRC, ABC, YLE, Documentary, Canal +, TV5 Monde, RTBF). 2010-12 were break out years for Bohbot, producing four documentaries Burning Water, (CBC) Land of Destiny, (Documentary, PBS) Underdog Plaza (OMNI, PBS) and the epic Triumph of the Wall aka: Work in Progress (Superchannel, Theatrical).
November 2013 saw the release of My Brothers Vows a German co-production (ARTE), which premiered at DOK Leipzig and The Lady in Number 6 (Oscar™ Winner!, Netflix). In 2015 Frederic produced Underdog Rises about the rise and fall of boxing champion Dierry Jean for OMNI. 2016 was a busy year where Bohbot completed the television documentary and the interactive digital platform Vie de Chateau (Radio Canada) about the celebrated Chateau Frontenac as well as the feature docs Shadows of Paradise featuring David Lynch (Documentary, Bell Media, Theatrical) and Zimbelism on the photographer George S. Zimbel as well as his first foray into fiction filmmaking, producing the feature fiction Boost (5 CSA Award Nominations, Shanghai FF) with the support of Telefilm Canada and Film Option International.
2017 saw the completion and broadcast of Kosher Love (Best Doc CSA Nom) for CBC while in production on You Are What You Act (Documentary/Canal D), I Think You’ve Been Looking For Me (CBC) and Tuning the Brain with Music (Radio Canada). Bohbot produced The Walrus and the Whistleblower in 2020, winner of 2020 Hot Docs Audience Award and in 2022 he produced and released Pouvoir Oublier (Télé-Québec) and produced two short films, Queen of the Punks and Soleil de nuit. Both shorts were release in 2023 where Soleil won the Best International Film Award at the prestigious Palm Springs Short Fest. Bohbot also produced Ara Ball’s next feature fiction L’Ouragan F.Y.T which premiered to critical acclaim in October 2023 at Montreal’s famous Festival du nouveau cinema.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
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This series requires two hours per week over six weeks. It’s designed for participants with a strong film concept, whether they have a completed script or a well-developed idea with evident character and environmental considerations. If you’re passionate about bringing your film concept to life and serious about advancing your project, this workshop series is for you!
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Every workshop starts with an interactive, hour-long presentation from seasoned Montréal-based independent filmmakers and creatives, each bringing this city's unique visionary spirit and do-it-yourself attitude to their work. Following the presentation, you'll spend a hands-on hour applying insights directly to your project. With ongoing feedback and support from an experienced producer at each session, you’ll be encouraged to refine every detail of your pitch deck, shaped by the collaborative and innovative energy to develop an integral skill for your filmmaking journey.
WORKSHOP BREAKDOWN
10 min - Get seated and get comfortable!
45 min - Presentation from professional guest speaker
5 min - Break
50 min - Work on Canva with the guest professional, a producer & two support staff
10 min - Final edits or feedback. Every attendee is set up to continue working on their pitch.
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This series isn’t just about building a pitch—it also builds confidence, clarity, and creative connections with other filmmakers in a setting that celebrates artistic exploration. Through expert guidance, collaborative feedback, and the influence of each immersive workshop, you will combine practical skills with the tools you need to stand out creatively. You’ll finish with a pitch deck and the community, inspiration, and resources needed to bring your film concept to life in a way that reflects both your vision and the distinct spirit of independent filmmaking.
Please note that if applicants are not at this stage yet, we will be accepting email addresses so that you can receive a recorded version of the workshops to follow along on your own when you are ready.
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1. How do I register for the workshop?
To register, visit our registration page and fill out the form with your name, email, and established film concept. Since the workshop is free, no payment is required. ALL REGISTRANTS MUST JOIN THE WAITLIST —just submit your waitlist registration to be considered for this workshop series.
2. Is there a limit to the number of participants?
Yes, space is limited to ensure a quality experience for all attendees. We recommend registering early to secure your spot. We'll notify you if you will be attending no later than January 15, 2025.
3. What if I don’t get into this workshop?
That means your project must be developed more to create a film pitch. We will add your email address to our mailing list and send you a dialed-down digital version of the workshop series to work with on your own after the workshop series is completed.
3. Can I register multiple people?
Yes! You can register multiple attendees, but each must complete a separate registration form, specifically their film concepts. Group registrations are welcome as long as each person provides their details.
4. Do I need to bring anything to the workshop?
You need to bring your script draft or film treatment. You don’t need to bring anything unless specifically instructed. We will notify you ahead of time if you need to bring any materials or devices (laptop, tablet, etc.).
5. Can I attend if I don’t have prior experience making a film?
Yes, this workshop is designed for individuals at all levels, and no prior film-making experience is required. What’s important is that you are serious about your film idea, have a script or a draft of a script, and have a genuine desire to break into the film industry. This workshop will help you refine your vision and take your first steps toward bringing it to life.
6. How will I receive confirmation of my registration?
Once you complete your registration, you will be put on a waiting list. Once your registration has been confirmed, you will be notified by email and provided with more details on how to proceed.
7. What if I need to cancel my registration?
If you can’t attend, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting erin@productionsspectrum.com, so we can offer your spot to someone else.
8. Will the workshop be available online or in person?
The workshop will be in person at Spectrum Productions Studio every Thursday from 6:00 pm—8:00 pm EST.
Spectrum Productions Studio Address: 5445 Av. de Gaspé local 415, Montreal, QC H2T 3B2
